Not the most creative title, mind you… but after watching a Mad Men episode about Peggy’s birthday, and my utter success baking a cake yesterday, I’m feeling quite the sugar high!

Pineapple upside down cake with coconut topping!

How did I make it?

 I sort of invented the recipe, but here it is anyway:
1 box yellow cake mix, prepared
about 3-4 inches of butter (What would that be, 5 tbsp? who knows) melted in microwave
about 1/2 cup brown sugar
One large can pineapple rings in their own juice
rum extract
orange extract/ true orange if you have it


melt the butter in microwave, divide between two pans or one 9×13. I used an 8×8 square and a large loaf pan. Stir sugar and butter around, divided to cover bottom of each pan. Arrange pineapple rings in a pretty pattern. Pour prepared cake batter with rum extract and/or orange extract/ flavoring on top. Bake at 350 for about 30-35 minutes. Cool for 4 1/2 minutes, invert onto plate. DELICIOUS!

These flipped surprisingly easily! I was afraid of pineapple-on-the-floor cake, but I only had to rescue two little pieces of pineapple from caramelized bliss on the pan, and plop them back in their places. the smaller one (a true non-stick pan, I should add) flipped perfectly!


So… in true listmania, I shall list my favorite cakes! I don’t like pie, and I don’t like cheesecake. So cakes and cupcakes are really my bread and butter! You’ll also note the absence of chocolate on here- I like a tiny bit in a cake, but usually I only like more vanilla flavored cakes. So here goes!


Cake-walk down memory lane…


10. The newbie- pineapple upside down rum coconut cake!


9. Carrot cake- but not with the cream cheese frosting. EWWW! This is hard to find.


8. Coffee cake- I like the cinnamon swirl!


7. Angel food cake, with strawberries and cool whip on top!


6. Lemon flavored cake or lemon filling cake


5. Spice cake, especially with ginger frosting


4. Confetti cake, from a box! This was always my birthday cake as a kiddo


3. Banana cake- mommy’s recipe! I think she invented it one time and I forced her to try to remember the ingredients and recipe as we sipped our coffee. I have this version written in my recipe book now, but in her original handwriting. Thanks mum!


2. Gingerbread cake. 


1. Vanilla layer cake. I die. True love forever, me and vanilla layer cake.




What is your favorite kind of cake? Or are you more of a pie type of person?


Meri