Deet’s Eats- Pineapple Upside Down Cake (slightly tweaked)

I was in the mood to play Suzie Homemaker today and since all the ingredients for this dessert were in my pantry I decided to go for it.   I had gathered these ingredients because a neighbor had made the cake for a pot luck and told me it was on the Duncan Hines Cake Mix box.  Only I made one error with the ingredients.  Instead of vanilla instant pudding I bought Coconut Cream instant pudding.  This means I have a Pina Colada Upside Down cake. If only I had some rum…..  Oh well, here is the recipe from Duncan Hines plus my coconut tweak

Pina Colada Upside Down Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Topping:

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1- 20 oz. can pineapple slices packed in juice(drained but juice reserved)

Maraschino Cherries

Cake:

1 pkg. Duncan Hines Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix

1 pkg. (3.4oz.) Jello brand vanilla or Coconut cream instant pudding

4 large eggs

1 cup water or half water and half juice from pineapple can

1/2 cup vegetable oil (I used Canola oil)

Directions for the topping:

Melt the butter over low heat in a 12″ oven safe skillet.  Remove from heat, stir in the brown sugar and spread overt the bottom of the skillet.  Arrange Pineapple slices and cherries.  set aside.

Directions for the cake:

Combine all the cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat for two minutes with an electric mixer.  Pour the batter evenly over the fruit in the skillet.

Bake: at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Invert immediately onto a a serving platter.  (or if you don’t have one big enough invert onto an old cookie sheet like Deet did.

Serving: Cool, cut in wedges and top with whipped cream (this is truly the best) or, if you are like Deet and lack the heavy cream to whip , top with Cool Whip.

An apology to my international followers who may not have access to the brand names used in this recipe.  I encourage you to improvise and let me know how it turned out. Please someone add the rum!!!!