April 20th: National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day in the USA

On April 20th, the United States celebrates National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day. It’s believed that upside-down cakes gained popularity in the early 1900s, although the baking technique was likely used even earlier. Culinary historians suggest that the first inverted cakes appeared as early as the Middle Ages. The classic American pineapple upside-down cake emerged after Jim Dole invented canned pineapple, which became a key ingredient in the dessert.

Pineapple upside-down cake became even more popular after the Hawaiian Pineapple Company launched an advertising campaign in 1926 to demonstrate the versatility of canned pineapple in various recipes. A contest was held, and the following year, 100 winning recipes were published in a cookbook.


To make a pineapple upside-down cake, simply arrange slices of canned pineapple in a baking dish. Place a cherry in the center or in each pineapple ring, then drizzle with butter and sugar. Pour the cake batter over the pineapple and bake. Once baked, invert the cake onto a serving plate to reveal the caramelized fruit on top.