Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

BBQ Fixin's: Pineapple Upside Down Cake! happy 4th of july!


 
Just a quick blog today because I am getting everything ready for my big fat Have Some Decorum Home sale on Monday.

However, I couldn’t let Fourth of July go by without giving you my great-grandmother’s pineapple upside down cake recipe! This cake is the perfect complement to any summer barbecue.

Speaking of Fourth of July and summer barbecues, what are all of you making? Do you stick to old favorites or do you try something new? I like to do both.

Okay, here are two recipes for pineapple upside down cake. First my great-grandmothers via my mother, Anne, and then second, a delicious one from Saveur magazine.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This is really easy and taste great.  Best served warm with Ice Cream.

1 package of yellow cake mix

1 can of slice pineapples

1 jar of red cherries with stem

1 cup of brown sugar

1 stick of butter

In a heavy skillet melt the butter.  When melted add the cup of brown sugar.  Might need to add more brown sugar to have it like a paste texture.  Not to thin. If you would like to add a little cinnamon to the brown sugar you can or nutmeg....Pat it down flat.   Remove from burner.  Add the pineapple slices in a circle in the pan until it is completely covered. Put a cherry in the middle of the pineapple rings. Without the stem.

Make the cake mix according to  the package.  Now pour the cake mix into the pan with all of the good stuff.  Might not use all of it. 

Bake in a 350 oven for what the instructions on the cake have. About 30 minutes?  Take it out when a toothpick comes out clean.

You want it to be moist.

Now take a large plate that you are going to serve the cake on and place it on top of the skillet and invert the cake into the serving dish.  A little tricky but this way the pineapple topping is on up and it looks fabulous!  Don't let the cake cool to long before you invert it on the plate. Best done warm. Enjoy... Anne

Can make great little individual cupcakes this way also.....

 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake via Saveur Magazine.
Click HERE for recipe.
 
 
Happy Fourth of July!

*Something you don’t know about me? My little Graciecakes left early Wednesday morning to fly back to the states to see her grandparents, her second father (long story) and all of her friends in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles for three weeks! I was a nervous wreck thinking of her flying over the Atlantic, let alone flying at all. I didn’t sleep a wink Tuesday night. Gracie, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to leave. Gracie is making this trip her culinary tour of America because, as you know, she is starving in Paris. She has told me at least 300 times that the second she lands in California she will be going to a drive-through In-N-Out Burger and ordering animal fries, followed by a Wendy’s Frosty, a red velvet Sprinkles Cupcake, a Santa Barbara Los Arroyos burrito, and Whole Foods salad bar. She said also that she will is looking forward to going to a “regular grocery store” where she can buy Cinnamon Life cereal, regular milk that is refrigerated, and sliced pepper turkey. As disgusting as all of that is, when it is not available, it’s all you want. Gracie will be visiting with my mother, her grandmother. Let me tell you, she’s in for a treat. Not only does my mother spoil her and cook for morning, noon and night but she also makes Gracie laugh hysterically. Why? Because my mother says the funniest things but she just doesn’t know how funny it is until she sees all of us laughing. I asked Gracie to chronicle the best of my mother this week so I could share it all with you. Even before Gracie left Wednesday, my mother made us laugh. Gracie asked my mother if she could take her to get a smoothie as soon as her plane lands. My mother said, “Of course Gracie, we will go to Jambalaya Juice right away.” For those of you who don’t know, it’s just called Jamba Juice. Stay tuned for a wacky week.

P.S . I just want to tell all of you how much I appreciate all of your emails and all of the comments that you leave on the blog. To be honest, I’m having a bit of an emotional crisis because I want to respond to every email and every comment because you know I never run out of things to say but unfortunately with ALS, my voice may run out of steam so I have to protect it a little bit… So, I cannot respond to every email and every comment. Don’t take it personally. It’s a “me” thing. However, keep the comments coming and keep the emails coming because I read every single one and it makes my day to hear from you. Is it weird that I consider all of you my friends?

55 comments:

  1. Can't wait to hear what your mama has to say:) I had a dream I met you last night and you were just as sweet and funny in my dream as I imagine you are in person! Bonjour from Saint Briac..xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Ellie,

    I love your pineapple upside down cake recipe! It brings back some great summertime memories of making these at summer camp with my mom. I very much enjoy reading your blog and greatly appreciate your honesty, wit, great style sense and continued sense of humor. You present an amazing insight to life and I always look forward to your new posts.

    Thank you for sharing your experiences, thoughts and ideas!
    Sincerely, Caitlin

    ReplyDelete
  3. We are all your friends - even the old relics like me ! I hope that I see Gracie and Anne , what a treat . Happy 4th Parisian Style !
    Love You , A

    ReplyDelete
  4. Would be honored to be your friend. Thank you for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I enjoy your blog! Thanks for sharing your life with us. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bonjour Ellie! I have melted reading your "PS" which convinced me to leave you a comment for the first time even if I feel very ill at ease writing in English. My dictionary is on my knees... I enjoy so much reading your blog, I even learn much about France... and French people.
    By the way my husband is from Annecy, our children have learned to ski on the Semnoz and know each rock on the "dents de Lanfon" or "la Tournette". Passez un excellent week-end!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We love you out here. You already communicate with us so well I don't think you need to respond to comments.
    Poor you with Gracie on the plane, I would have been a nervous wreck too. It sounds like she will have a blast and thank goodness she'll get some real food into her. Your mother sounds like a riot. XO

    ReplyDelete
  8. Always, always enjoy your blog posts and especially like your "something you don't know about me" segments! Quick funny story about pineapple upside-down cake: A few years ago my mother made one and her arm (that she had broken a few years earlier) was bothering her so she asked my father to turn it upside-down on a platter. He misunderstood and thought she wasn't able to do it because it wouldn't come out easily so he SLAMMED it down hard on the plate. That sucker went everywhere! They were both so surprised - him because it came out so easily and she because he had used such force - and immediately started laughing! They still can't tell the story without getting tickled... Mom jokes that she didn't have a dessert to take to the potluck but she had a good story! Hope Gracie has a fantastic trip! Looking forward to your sale!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Ellie, Can't wait until Monday. We love your stories, you, Gracie and your MOM. Keep up the good work..........you may not know it but sometimes in everyday life you keep us going!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. OMG! Ask me how many times I have landed in LAX with my son (now 22 but since he was maybe 3) and picked up our rental car and driven straight up the street to that In N Out Burger right there on Sepulveda Blvd. So happy to know we're not the only crazies!
    And pineapple upside down cake? Really? With butter? My mother so let me down! We only did the pineapple, brown sugar and then dumped the cake mix but with butter? WOW! Now THERE'S something to get excited about.
    xoxo
    diane

    ReplyDelete
  11. Read every post and they all add a sparkle to my day and I thank you for that. I don't always comment but I'm here sending you and your family love and prayers every single day. Love you Sweetie Pie!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ellie we love you and even if you don't answer I know that you read every comment and every email. We know that you are here for all of us. Gracie is going to have so much junk food that she will not miss it for a while, when I was in Paris in April I missed whole foods, I kept asking my friend for a "normal" grocery store lol I was only there for two weeks so I can imagine how Gracie feels. And we want to hear the story about her second dad now that you put it out there
    Can't wait til Monday to see the new home goodies
    Xoxoxoxo
    Lourdes

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ellie please save your voice! You give us so much joy with your blogs, that's all we need. We know you read our comments and that's enough.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Ellie, Happy 4th of July from the suburbs of Chicago! I can't wait to hear the stories of Gracie and your mom, she will have an amazing time, and what a great experience for her. Thanks for sharing your mom's amazing recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Besties from way back!!! ��. Love you...love your blog!! Happy 4th!
    Rho

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ellie... Recipe sounds easy and tasty! I have just the perfect black cast iron frying pan for baking. It belonged to my mama for many years before coming to me 34 years ago... A long and storied past! Hope your daughter rocks California indulging in all kinds of great American fare. Your mom sounds like a hoot so I know she will have some tall tales to share. So glad the Hostess at the Humble Bungalow shared your blog! Sending you good wishes and lots of smiles from South Georgia USA! Happy July 4th!! Susan

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ellie, being from MO, do you know about Harbor Springs, MI? There is a strong contingent from MO here. We are blessed to have a summer home. We are having our annual Fourth of July drop in tomorrow. We'll be having ham and cheese sliders, deviled, eggs, fruit and veggies and, of course, SERIOUS adult beverages....one pitcher of kick ass margaritas, but those are only for our BEST friends who come! Ha! Love all the down home recipes you are sharing....I've printed them all out. Happy Fourth!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Please delete if a version of this comes through twice.....

    I am sitting her at 6am laughing and crying and my partner is a bit concerned....is this s a good thing or ?? Then she says, oh...is that your friend with ALS? So we think of you as our friend and are honored that you think of us that way as well. Xxxooo

    Ps-I know that you are more than the person with ALS, I have informed the household that you are Ellie! and that you make me a better person.......

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ellie, discovering your blog has been a gift. You're an amazing woman and my admiration knows no bounds.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Pineapple Upside Down Cake is sooooo underrated. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Not at all weird. I think you can see we feel the same about you. Don't worry about not answering....we know you woukd if you could. Rest that voice! Happy 4th. For some reason, it's my most homesick time. Hope Gracie's enjoying it! And you, too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wendy's Frosty. Wendy's Frosty. Wendy's Frosty.

    The comments here are so beautiful and funny. There is so much Love coming from all over the planet straight to you and that makes me a happy girl. And so would a Wendy's Frosty.

    Sending Love and the Strength of a pack of hungry male lions,
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  23. Is it weird that I think I should be meeting Gracie in CA and making your mom cook for me while Grace and I hit up all the other places? I think you should auction off weeks at your moms house and a walking tour of your old haunts in California to raise money.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Ellie--I'd forgotten all about pineapple upside-down cake. I think that is what dessert will be today!! Thanks. Having lived in Spain for 7 years while the kids were young and starving ( of course) that first trip to In-n-Out was their biggest treat. Thank you for all of the wisdom you have poured into me over the past two years of following your blog. Always in my thoughts and prayers. xoxo Mary

    ReplyDelete
  25. I consider you my friend too. And indirectly we are through my sister-in-law Mona who I am presently visiting in Boston from my home in N. Cal to celebrate this holiday which is so much grander east coast style than west. Mona is a good friend of your friend Maren who I've had dinner with and introduced me to your blog. Your ability to share not only the reality of your disease but the essence of a person with an amazing flare, a deep soul and fantastic humor sustains my remote bond. Thank you for the friendship from afar.

    ReplyDelete
  26. When was Gracie last in L.A.? As she matures she might not have the same experience as her memories of years gone by. I'd love to know what she has to say about her visit when she gets back. But loving her grandmother will never change. Your mother sounds wonderful in her own unique way

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Ellie, I wish Gracie were coming to San Francisco. I would take her anywhere she wanted to go. I have lots of time on my hands. I walk for 30-45 minutes a day and some days I don't feel like doing it but I tell myself - "Do it for Ellie." And off we go! You may be in Paris but you are also walking the streets of San Francisco.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your recent July Fourth BBQ recipes inspired me to pull out my marinated potato salad, baked beans, peach & raspberry cobbler recipes - and your grandma's delicious skillet corn recipe - and host an early July Third BBQ - because we are out of town on the fourth and fifth. Everything was perfect - including the East Coast weather. Thank you for your inspiration! Hugs across the Atlantic!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Ellie,

    I thought of you while reading this article that was in the May/June edition of Yankee Magazine. Here it is in case you want to read it - http://www.yankeemagazine.com/article/features/the-big-sleep-marys-farm.

    The first paragraph - Last spring when I was ill and confined to bed, a friend mailed me a little book called The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. In her thirties, Bailey was overtaken with a mysterious viral illness that left her almost motionless. She needed help even to turn in bed. A friend brought her a pot of violets, which she placed on the bedside table, at eye level. Another friend, while walking in the woods, captured a snail and brought it to her. The snail attached itself to the flowerpot, and a new world opened up for Bailey. Incarcerated by her newly narrowed existence, she fell into the world of the snail.

    Warmly,
    AnneMarie



    AnneMarie

    ReplyDelete
  30. Pineapple upside down cake just the way my own grandmother and mother used to make it!! A classic!
    Very excited to hear about Gracie's adventures in California and Mother anecdotes!!
    Thanks for brightening my weekend Ellie!


    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    Gallery Opening!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This recipe brings me back to my Mom's recipe which I think is pretty much the same. Mom passed away almost 3 months ago now. Yeah, I'm dealing with a lot of "stuff" from her death. I won't air that linen here but it's been tough.

    I know I'd love your Mom. She's so down home. Another thing, there's nothing weird about you at all. What I do know of you by this blog, I know this, you are one "kick-ass" lady whom I admire. Happy Fourth of July Ellie!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Jane Groover MaydahlJuly 4, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    Sweet Ellie, wishing you the happiest 4th in Paris. Your blog makes me laugh and cry and I am in awe of your strength, passion, and incredibly funny humor. I look forward to every post you write and am in awe of the joy you give to your readers. Toasting you today with margaritas and much love.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you, Ellie, for considering me/us your friends, it is an honor! I totally understand not sleeping while Gracie was flying to the states. I mentioned to you previously that my daughter is moving to France in August to attend a Masters program in conjunction with the University of Versailles. Today she reminded me that this is her first 4th of July stateside in 3 summers. She will heading your way soon! She is really hoping to meet you and Gracie. Save that voice!! Please! and I think we will need to try Pineapple upside down cake - we've never had it! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I like the fact that you are in to all the classy stuff you tell us about and yet you are not above recommending a recipe with a boxed cake mix. Cool!
    Sheila in Port Townsend

    ReplyDelete
  35. Dear Ellie...I can't wait to make this. My auntie always made the best and this sounds just like her recipe. We'd have it after Bologna sandwiches on Wonder Bread with lots of Best Foods Mayo and the best real ice tea ever.
    Thank you for everything you've shared with me since I found your site. I admire you and feel like we re friends...and as soon as I can move to Paris, I'm coming to take you to lunch. God, sounds like I'm a stalker! Happy 4th. xoxo Candace

    ReplyDelete
  36. Homemade peach pie is our 4th of July favorite. OMG--have you tried the Foolproof pie crust recipe from Cook's Illustrated? You use vodka instead of water and pulse in half the flour first. Something about the chemistry makes the best crust ever. Can't wait! Ellie, I've been reading all your back postings and I feel like I know you so well. I used to eat at the Ivy occasionally about the time you would have been there. You look familiar to me. Thanks for bringing your wonderful world to mine.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your Mom is like Gracie! Gracie Allen comedienne that is. The one with the "illogical logic", as George Burns would describe it. That said, I've been known to twist a few words/phrases myself...like…Going to Hell in a Handbag instead of "Hand-basket" etc.

    I’m trying something new this 4th of July. I found a box of Betty Crocker Pie Crust at the supermarket and my Costco had beautiful flats of California peaches, so I will be making “Anne’s Original Peach Cobbler”. Since we sort of speak the same language ;) I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to follow her directions. Most importantly, I have a platter that “will look good on the table”. Will let you know how it comes out.

    P.S. I’m looking forward to the Chronicles of Gracie (hehe)

    ReplyDelete
  38. And we all consider you as our friend too, Ellie!! I drop everything I'm doing, the minute your Blog lands in my inbox!! And as a non American, I'm dying to know what 'animal fries'are?
    Hoping you had a wonderful 4th of July with your lovely French husband.xxx

    ReplyDelete
  39. Safe journeys and visit for your Gracie! My Gracie (15yrs) has her cousin visiting for a few days. They are currently doing each other's make up. Grace has 5 brothers and her little sister is only 5 so this is some much needed girl time. My husband will be firing up the grill soon for our July 4th cookout. We are having beef kabobs and homemade macaroni salad. I also made a homemade spice cake with browned butter icing which I cannot stay away from. I will be looking forward to your next post!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Gracie will have a wonderful time. She will eat too much and find out that some of those things aren't quite as delicious as she expected. But don't expect her to admit that to you. I use to do the exact same thing when i lived in France full time. It does take a while to grow out of wanting to eat things that aren't available in France. This past trip, I had to bring back to California, 3 big jars of cornichon pickles to my 40 year old son. But now I drool just thinking of going to Le Souffle.

    Have a wonderful 4th even without Gracie. I think it will be in cool tonight, here in the San Francisco Bay area. The fog has come in.
    Judy

    ReplyDelete
  41. I agree about auctioning off weeks with your mom! Happy Fourth to you! I don't know why but cake mix works so much better for upside down cakes. One of my vacation standards is a peach "dumpcake" and I've tried it with my usual cake recipe and it just didn't work. I, too, have found that doctoring up a cake mix with extra butter and a little nutmeg works wonders. Oh, and my universal baking advice of adding a splash of whiskey. Helps the texture of a cake so much. And a little oil.
    I've often wondered how you manage to write blog posts and respond to comments at all. Saving your voice must be a priority and I can't imagine anyone wouldn't understand.
    In reference to your last post and little disagreement with Heather, I'd tear those fuckers out too and make way for big ol' Pella windows. My apologies, Heather :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. PS- as an Ohioan, it is my sovereign duty to remind everyone that Wendy's started here in Columbus. Dave Thomas was another of my GG's friends (though we have no reason to believe it was an unsavory relationship, unlike her time with Colonel Sanders). She must have had a thing for fast food magnates.
    And on Frostys (frosties?), I know someone who used to have a pet raccoon and would take him through the Wendy's drive through and he would actually take his frosty from the employee's hands at the window. One upside of my state's atrociously lax animal laws is that such a spectacle was completely legal.

    ReplyDelete
  43. NO< it isNOT WEIRD.
    I just came back from OHIO where I met a few INSTAGRAM FRIENDS................talk about FUN!
    GRACIE, will MISS YOU........
    My bet she will be THRILLED TO RETURN to PARIS after three weeks............you just wait and see!
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  44. no its not weird because we are all family. xob

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Ellie..I will be trying your family recipe for upside cake; I can't stop thinking about it! Thank you for sharing. I hope you and your family had a wonderful 4th of July!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Ellie - so think of you as a dear friend as well. Been reading you for the past year. Have decided - because of you - to spend my 20th wedding anniversary next year in Annecy. Any tips - especially on hotel - would be greatly appreciated!

    My father passed away last year. His favorite cake was a pineapple upside down cake. So wish I could make this for him!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I adore your blog and look forward to every new post. Thank you for sharing your amazing life with us. Your life force is a thing of beauty. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Um, isn't it time for the sale yet? *taps watch...* Ok, it is 5:59 - now 6pm! Go!

    ReplyDelete
  49. No need to reply to comments. My comments to you are intended to reflect my admiration and to, hopefully, provide positive reinforcement for all that you do and all that you represent. You do NOT owe anyone a response except to protect yourself and stay as strong as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hello Ellie,
    This is my first comment to you. I've been reading your blog for the past three months. I was directed to you by an online friend. She knew I would love you and find you inspiring, and I do! I suffer from a neuromuscular disease Myasthenia Gravis, which is disabling, but of course nothing like what you are dealing with ALS. You lift my spirits every time I come here. I am a fellow Missourian too! Loving the recently posted recipes! Exactly what we cook and eat here! :-) I hope I can buy something from your store soon. Everytime I see something I want I go there and it's already gone! I will keep trying as I love all things French! Thank you, Ellie, for sharing your life with us. You truly are a gift! And a dear friend!

    ReplyDelete
  51. What a treat to be considered your friend! You brighten my days :)

    ReplyDelete