Pineapple cake

Caramelized Pineapple Cake - a delight that combines the sweetness of fruit with a soft and fluffy texture! This recipe, rooted in British culinary tradition, is perfect for fruit cake lovers. Its origins are wrapped in family stories and moments of joy, and today, I am pleased to share my version, inspired by the favorite recipes of children from Jamie Oliver's restaurants.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 10

Ingredients needed:

- 350 g canned pineapple (well drained)
- 50 g butter (for greasing the pan)
- 100 g brown sugar (for caramelizing)
- For the batter:
- 80 g butter (at room temperature)
- 220 g sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 260 g flour
- 1 packet baking powder
- 250 ml buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon rum essence

Step by step:

1. Preheating the oven: Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. This step is essential to ensure the cake bakes evenly.

2. Preparing the pan: Choose a 25 x 35 cm pan and line it with parchment paper. Grease the paper with a small amount of butter to prevent the cake from sticking. If you use a smaller pan, the cake will come out taller and fluffier, which can be an advantage.

3. Caramelizing the pineapple: Cut the remaining 50 g of butter into small pieces and spread them evenly on the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter and arrange the drained pineapple slices on top, ensuring they are covered with sugar. This step will create a delicious caramel crust!

4. Preparing the batter: In a large bowl, sift the flour together with the baking powder. Add the rum essence to give a subtle flavor to the batter. In another bowl, mix the butter and sugar well until it becomes a fluffy mixture. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each.

5. Combining ingredients: Start gradually adding the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter and egg mixture, stirring continuously until you achieve a smooth and soft batter. Don’t worry if it seems slightly sticky; that’s normal!

6. Pouring the batter: Carefully pour the batter over the pineapple slices in the pan, ensuring they are evenly covered.

7. Baking the cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and let it bake for about 30 minutes. Check the cake with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

8. Cooling and serving: Remove the pan from the oven and let the cake rest for 5 minutes. Then, carefully turn the cake onto a plate, making sure the pineapple slices stay on top. Remove the parchment paper and let it cool completely before slicing.

Practical tips and variations:

- If you want to add a crunchy note, you can sprinkle some toasted nuts on top of the batter before baking. Pecan nuts or almonds are excellent for this recipe.
- For a more intense flavor, you can add some spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to the flour mixture.
- This cake can be served warm, alongside vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, to enhance the flavor of the caramelized pineapple.

Nutritional benefits:

This pineapple cake is not only delicious but also rich in nutrients. Pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C and contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion. Additionally, buttermilk adds beneficial probiotics for gut flora.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use fresh pineapple? Yes, you can use fresh pineapple, but it is important to peel and cook it a little to make it softer.
- How can I make the cake less sweet? You can reduce the amount of brown sugar and replace part of the sugar in the batter with a natural sweetener, such as honey or maple syrup.
- What drinks pair well with this cake? The pineapple cake pairs excellently with green tea or fresh lemonade, and for a more sophisticated option, try a sweet white wine.

I encourage you to try this caramelized pineapple cake and share it with your loved ones. Each slice will bring a smile to the faces of those who taste it! Enjoy!