Indian pineapple upside down cake served with lightly whipped cream

Indian Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

45 Minutes
Serves: 6

The perfect Indian pineapple cake, a deliciously easy Indian dessert for dinner parties.  Almond sponge topped with fresh pineapple, cooked in a cardamom and anise caramel in the style of a traditional pineapple upside down cake but with an Indian twist . Serve with lightly whipped cream. 

Recipe Ingreds

Cake

  • 1 pod cardamom
  • 4 whole egg
  • 150 grams ground almonds
  • 1 whole orange
  • 100 grams caster sugar
  • 10 grams icing sugar

Sauce

  • 20 grams butter
  • 1 whole pineapple
  • 4 whole star anise
  • 90 grams caster sugar
  • 120 ml water

Cream

  • 150 ml double cream

Recipe with pictures Steps

Step 1

  • peel and cut the pineapple into rings
  • line the base of the cake tin cut the base 4 cm bigger than the base
  • cut the rings to fit into the base of the cake tin

Step 2

  • place the caster sugar in a frying pan allow to melt and caramelise
  • add the star anise
  • add the water to the sauce initially it will seize but continue to cook gently and it will release

Step 3

  • add the pineapple to the frying pan
  • turn to coat the pineapple
  • cook for 3 to 4 mins
  • add a spoon of water if the caramel gets to dark
  • remove the pineapple add to the cake tin

Step 4

  • add the butter to the caramel
  • cook for a minute or two
  • add the caramel to the cake tin
  • set a side

Step 5

  • set the oven to 180C 350F or gas mark 4
  • zest the orange
  • remove the seeds from the cardamom
  • crush the seeds

Step 6

  • separate the whites and yolks
  • beat 2/3 of the caster sugar with the egg yolks
  • add the zest
  • add the cardamom
  • fold in the ground almonds

Step 7

  • whisk the egg whites in the food mixer till they form peaks
  • add remaining 1/3 of the caster sugar slowly till egg white is glossy
  • fold half the whisked egg white into the cake mixture to loosen it

Step 8

  • fold in the remaining half of the whisked egg white
  • fill the cake tin with the cake mixture
  • bake for 35 mins
  • cake is ready when it start to come away from the sides
  • remove from the oven
  • Cool

Step 9

  • add the cream to a bowl
  • whisk the cream till lightly whipped

Step 10

  • remove the cake from the tin and serve upside down
  • place the cake on a serving plate
  • Dust with icing sugar
  • serve with the cream

Recipe Utensils

  • 2 bowl
  • 1 cake tin (9 inch/23 cms)
  • 2 chopping board
  • 1 food mixer
  • 1 frying pan
  • 1 grater
  • 2 grease proof paper
  • 2 hand mixer
  • 2 large knife
  • 1 mortar and pestle
  • 1 sieve
  • 2 small bowl

More recipes you might like: Around the World, Desserts

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About our Indian pineapple cake recipe

An exotic twist on the classic pineapple upside-down cake, this dessert brings together the richness of Indian flavors with the elegance of a light almond sponge. Succulent caramelized pineapple rings, infused with the warmth of star anise, form a golden, glossy layer that crowns the cake. The sponge is delicately spiced with fresh orange zest and freshly ground cardamom, with a nutty almond base in place of traditional flour for a rich, yet light texture.

Each slice offers a fragrant experience of juicy pineapple and velvety caramel, balancing perfectly with the subtle earthiness of almonds and the gentle warmth of cardamom. A dusting of icing sugar and a side of freshly whipped cream complete this decadent treat. This is a cake to be savored, its exotic flavors lingering long after the last bite.

How and when to serve fresh pineapple Indian upside down cake

This delightful upside-down cake is a perfect dessert to enjoy all year round, bringing a unique twist to your dessert table. With its aromatic cardamom, sweet caramelized pineapple, and rich almond base, it’s an ideal choice for an Indian dinner party, offering a fusion of traditional Indian spices and classic English cake elements. The dish is also a fantastic way to use up fresh pineapple, elevating the fruit with the warming spices of cardamom and star anise. Whether you're seeking an unusual alternative to a classic upside-down cake or looking for something original to take to a coffee morning, this cake will certainly impress. Its perfect balance of flavours and textures makes it an elegant choice for a special occasion, while its lightness and richness make it a standout at any gathering.

Easy Indian dessert recipe for dinner parties

This delightful pineapple and cardamom upside-down cake is the perfect dessert for an Indian dinner party, beautifully complementing both rich meat and flavorful vegetarian curries. The fragrant blend of ground almonds, cardamom, and orange zest in the cake batter adds a warm, aromatic touch that harmonizes with the spices in the main dishes. The caramelized pineapple, infused with the deep flavors of star anise and butter, brings a luscious sweetness that balances the heat of curry. The rich cream adds a luxurious finish to each bite, while the light, airy texture of the cake makes it an ideal way to end a hearty meal. This dessert not only offers a satisfying conclusion to a curry night but also showcases a perfect marriage of traditional Indian spices and indulgent sweetness..This cake is perfect for an Indian themed dinner party


Who will love our pineapple cake Indian style

This recipe is perfect for those who crave indulgence and are ready to embrace something beyond the ordinary. It’s a treat that will appeal to kids with its irresistible sweetness, while adults will appreciate its originality and unique twist on traditional desserts. If you're ever in need of an Indian dessert but want something that blends both English and Indian flavours, this fusion creation is the answer. It effortlessly combines familiar comforting tastes with exotic touches, making it a go-to for those looking to impress or satisfy a sweet tooth, with no concern for calorie counting. Whether for a family gathering or a special occasion, this dessert will be a hit with everyone.


Ingredients for our pineapple upside down cake Indian style

Almond cardamom cake

Flavours - the cake is flavoured with cardamom and fresh oranges

Cake - A simple cake made withe eggs, ground almonds and caster sugar

icing sugar - for decoration simply sieved over the cake

Pineapple cake topping

Caramel for pineapple using butter, caster sugar and water

pineapple - we like to use fresh pineapple as it is firmer and a little more tart, but you could use tinned pineapple

Flavour - the caramel provides flavour but in addition we add star anise

double cream - used to serve, you could potentially use whipping cream

What makes our Indian dessert cake the best

Our Indian Pineapple Cake is a delightful fusion that combines the warmth of traditional Indian flavours with a touch of English dessert elegance. The star of this cake is the light almond sponge, delicately flavored with cardamom, which provides a subtle aromatic depth. The sponge is paired with luscious pineapple rings, coated in a star-anise-infused caramel sauce that adds a rich and exotic sweetness. This unique topping complements the airy texture of the almond cake, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavours. The pineapple caramelization process brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit, intensified by the spice of star anise and mellowed by the buttery caramel. Finished with a light dusting of icing sugar and a dollop of whipped cream, this cake is a perfect marriage of Eastern spices and Western dessert techniques, making it a one-of-a-kind treat for any occasion.

Other Pineapple Dessert Recipes 

Chinese Pineapple Fritters with Spiced Toffee Sauce

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