Pineapple Upside-Down Cookies Recipe
Delight in these charming Pineapple Upside-Down Cookies, combining a soft, buttery cookie base with a sweet, caramelized pineapple and cherry topping. Perfect as a tropical-inspired treat, these cookies feature a luscious brown sugar glaze that crowns each bite with vibrant fruitiness and a tender crumb.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Cookie Base:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Topping:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 small can pineapple rings, cut into smaller pieces
- Maraschino cherries, halved
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, ensuring a tender cookie texture. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and glossy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Prepare the Topping: Combine melted butter and brown sugar in a small bowl until smooth. This mixture will caramelize to create the signature upside-down topping for each cookie. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of this mixture onto the lined baking sheet, spacing them to allow for spreading.
- Assemble the Cookies: Place a piece of pineapple atop each brown sugar base, then add a halved maraschino cherry in the center for classic flavor and color. Scoop 1 ½ tablespoons of cookie dough, flatten slightly, and place it over the fruit and sugar base, gently pressing to seal the edges around the topping.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the assembled cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, or until edges are golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling is essential to set the caramelized topping.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once fully cooled, flip the cookies upside-down to reveal the vibrant pineapple and cherry topping. Serve as a delightful snack or dessert that brings tropical charm to any occasion.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- To make the recipe egg-free, use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water) instead of the large egg.
- Brown sugar can be used in place of granulated sugar in the cookie dough for a richer flavor.
- Fresh pineapple should be cut into small tidbits to ensure even baking if canned is unavailable.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pineapple upside-down cookies, pineapple cookies, caramelized topping cookies, tropical cookies, buttery cookies