A Slice of Welcome

In the 1920s, The Dole Pineapple Company started canning pineapples and in 1925, they held a recipe contest and with the thousands of submissions received, pineapple upside down cake was one of the most popular results and took off from there. Because canned pineapple was accessible and affordable, it spread so quickly, especially among everyday home cooks. This cake is traditionally round with the bottom layer showcasing pineapple rings and maraschino cherries in the middle of the rings. Cake batter is then poured over it, baked, and then flipped upside down to serve. 

While it's not a traditional African American dessert, it's a recipe that members of the BIPOC community, especially African Americans have grown to love. Over the years, this cake found a special home in African American households and celebrations. From church potlucks to family reunions, holidays and Sunday dinners, pineapple upside down cake became one of those desserts that always showed up on the table. It's the kind of dish that carries a sense of warmth and nostalgia and everybody has a memory of somebody's grandmother or auntie pulling one out of the oven.

The pineapple has long been recognized as the international symbol of hospitality. It's a sign of love, warmth, and welcome to any and everyone. So the next time you're hosting a gathering or bringing a dish to celebrate, this is the one to pull out. My bundt version puts a modern twist on the classic, giving it a different flair while keeping all the warmth and love of the original.