Low-FODMAP Pineapple Upside Down Cake; Gluten-free, Dairy-free

Print Friendly Version

SO GOOD.

Low-FODMAP Pineapple Upside Down Cake is my go-to recipe this spring/summer.  It is easy, fancy, moist, and so delicious.  Using fresh pineapple (instead of canned) provides amazing flavor…the tartness of the pineapple is perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the cake.

This cake is SO delicious that my husband and daughter devoured the entire thing.  I only ate one piece!

Another awesome part of an upside down cake is, you don’t have to frost or decorate it since the topping is ‘built-in’.  And no need to stress about it sticking to the pan. I have a great trick to help you invert the cake with supreme success- by using parchment liners.  Works like a charm.

FODMAP fact: Pineapple is a wonderful low-FODMAP fruit selection.  You can enjoy a full 1 cup (140 g) per serving!

You may also love:

Or check out over 350 more low-FODMAP recipes on the blog.  IBS-friendly!

Be healthy and happy,

Rachel Pauls, MD


Low-FODMAP Pineapple Upside Down Cake; Gluten-free, Dairy-free

Although this recipe has not been tested, a single serving should be low-FODMAP based on the ingredients

Serves 8-10

Prep time: 10 min

Bake time: 45 min (as ovens vary, yours may need more or less time)

Total time: 55 min, plus cooling prior to serving

Bake: 350 F

Equipment: 9 inch round cake pan (do not use a springform pan as the caramel often can drip out and burn)

Modified from ‘Gluten free baking Classics, Heirloom Ed”, Annalise G Roberts

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or low-FODMAP vegan spread (such as Earth Balance) for dairy-free, melted
    • I used butter
  • ½ cup (packed) dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 large fresh pineapple (300 g), peeled, quartered, cored and sliced 3 cm thick
    • You need enough to cover the bottom of your cake pan
    • 1 cup (140 g) fresh pineapple is one low-FODMAP serving, DO NOT SUBSTITUTE CANNED PINEAPPLE, that is likely higher in FODMAPs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 & 1/4 cup all-purpose gluten-free and low-FODMAP Flour blend (I use Authentic Foods GF Classical Blend- see my low-FODMAP bake off blog for my reason)
  • 1 & ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum, if not added to your flour choice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • ½ cup low-FODMAP milk (such as almond milk for dairy-free, or lactose-free milk)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; divided
  • Parchment paper and baking spray (or use low-FODMAP Magical Cake Pan Release Paste, like I did!)

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF
  • Position rack in center of oven
  • Grease 9 inch round layer cake pan with baking spray, then line with parchment (this is not critical, but does help with inverting your cake)
  • Spread melted butter or vegan spread in the bottom of your cake pan, then place the brown sugar on top of the butter, evenly sprinkling over the butter.  Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla over the brown sugar
  • Lay pineapple slices over the brown sugar to cover the bottom of the pan, it is OK to overlap a bit
  • Set pan aside, and prepare the low-FODMAP Upside Down Cake batter
  • Beat sugar and eggs in large bowl of electric mixer with flat paddle on medium speed for 1 minute (depending on the power of your mixer, you may need to adjust to medium-low)
  • Add low-FODMAP flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, salt, low-FODMAP milk, canola oil and 1.5 teaspoon remaining vanilla; beat on medium-low until thoroughly combined (do not overmix)
  • Spread batter in prepared pan and bake in center of oven about 45 minutes (toothpick inserted into center should come out clean and cake will spring back when pressed lightly; color will turn a light golden brown)
    • Check baking about 5 minutes before end time, as ovens vary
  • Remove cake from oven and cool on rack for 5 minutes in the pan, then use a knife to loosen the sides and invert to your wire rack to cool completely prior to transferring to a platter (or serve it right from the rack)
    • Place wax paper or a baking sheet under your rack so the glaze doesn’t make a mess when you flip the cake
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature with low-FODMAP Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream or low-FODMAP Ice cream and low-FODMAP Caramel Sauce
  • Hint: Due to the small irregular shapes of the pineapple I prefer to cut this cake using a wedge technique with a central circle, rather than into triangular pieces

  • Absolutely DELICIOUS!

Share
Tweet
Pin
Email
Print
Comments Rating 5 (5 reviews)

15 Responses

  1. Upside down cake

    It has been years since I had an upside down cake, and I’ve never tried it with fresh fruit. This recipe was simple and incredibly delicious. I served it for my husband’s birthday. We topped it with vanilla ice cream, but it really was good on its own. I’m thinking about trying it with rhubarb next time. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

    1. Awesome to hear that Sherilyn!
      We think rhubarb would be PERFECT in this recipe too 🙂
      Keep in touch and have a great day!!

  2. Question- the heading says dairy free but recipe says use butter. Is there a dairy free substitute to use for that? Thanks so much! This looks delicious and will be my birthday cake. 🙂

    1. Hi Kelly,
      So sorry! Absolutely, you can use vegan margarine with low-FODMAP ingredients (such as Earth Balance) instead of the butter. Thanks for pointing that out. Hope you love it 🙂

    1. Hi Juliana,
      Fresh frozen pineapple should work fine! You do not need to defrost it prior to baking.
      Good luck 🙂

  3. This cake is absolutely delicious! You would not know it is gluten free… SO moist and flavorful. I made this cake for a birthday and it was a hit with everyone. I am the only one who needed the low FODMAP and gluten free option. Will definitely make this again! ?

    1. Molly,
      AMAZING!! We are so pleased to read this- and thrilled that this cake worked for a special celebration. Thank you so much for your comments!! Stay in touch 🙂

  4. Delish cake!!

    I tried this for my son’s girlfriend who is on a low FODMAP diet. I used the Vegetable spread instead of butter. It turned out super soft and yum. She gave me 5 stars and I know to whom I owe that to 🙂 Thank you for that easy to follow recipe.

    1. Hi Eleanor,
      The sugar provides flavor, as well as texture for the cake. If you wish to make adjustments, please let me know how it works.
      ~Rachel

  5. So. Damn. Good.

    I made this cake for a dinner party because I selfishly wanted to eat dessert. It was DELICIOUS! I always thought upside down cakes would be hard but this really wasn’t. Everyone (even all the non-low FODMAP people) LOVED it. Thank you for a great recipe!

    1. Hi Roshni!
      I am so happy to hear from you and love this feedback. You made my day.
      Hope you stay in touch,
      ~Rachel

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sending

As an IBS-sufferer myself, I know how badly you want to feel healthy and happy. I’ve spent over a decade researching IBS and FODMAPs, and my recipes and guidance will help you succeed.

Enjoy everything my site has to offer!

More about me

Featured

Low-FODMAP Options at Starbucks: Coffee, Bakery and More!
Our 20 Most Popular Low-FODMAP & Gluten-free Family Dinners: Easy 30-Minute; One-Pot, Sheet-Pan and Slow Cooker Recipes
research and fodmap meme
Dr. Rachel’s Low-FODMAP Diet 5-Day Meal Plan; Recipes and More (IBS-friendly!)
Dr. Rachel’s Best Collection of Low-FODMAP Christmas and New Year’s Recipes for your Menu; Gluten-free too!