Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 9 pineapple slices
  • 9 Maraschino cherries
  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons ground almonds
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg

Directions:

  1. Start by making the topping. Melt in a saucepan on medium heat then sprinkle the sugar evenly over the butter until sugar dissolves and the mixture is bubbly.
  2. Pour mixture into a 9 inch non-stick square pan.  Arrange pineapple slices in a single layer over the brown sugar mixture and place a cherry in the center of each pineapple slice.
  3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Whisk the flour, almonds, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  4. In a small bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the sugar and butter together until light. Mix in egg and vanilla. Alternate between flour mixture and milk, mixing well between each addition.
  5. Pour cake batter over brown sugar mixture with pineapples and cherries in pan.
  6. Bake in 350 F oven for 50 – 55 minutes.
  7. Turn cake out onto a platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 9 servings.