National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day

National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day is an annual American holiday celebrating the delightful pineapple upside-down cake. It is celebrated on April 20. The main feature of this cake is that the fruit is placed at the bottom of the dish during baking, and when served, the cake is flipped over, showcasing the beautifully caramelized fruit on top.

History

The origins of National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day are not well-documented. However, fruit cakes have been made over an open fire since the Middle Ages, using thick-bottomed cookware.

With the invention of the frying pan, the cooking process became much easier, and cast-iron skillets were often used for making such cakes. The upside-down cake design allows the flavors of the fruit to be more pronounced, as they are not hidden within the dough.

The pineapple upside-down cake, specifically, became popular in 1925, thanks to the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, which held a contest to find the best dishes using pineapples. The judges were particularly impressed with upside-down cakes, and the winning recipes were published in popular culinary magazines. Since then, this dessert has become very popular in the U.S. and has also spread to other countries.

Interesting Facts

• There were about 70,000 entries for the Hawaiian Pineapple contest, of which 2,500 were pineapple upside-down cake recipes!
• Drinking a glass of pineapple juice during a trip can help alleviate nausea and motion sickness.
• A pineapple is not a single fruit, but rather a collection of many small berries fused together, which is visible from its textured rind.

How to Celebrate

Visit local restaurants or order this delicious dessert from a bakery to enjoy its wonderful flavor. Surprise your family by baking your own pineapple upside-down cake—recipes are easy to find online.

Share the holiday on social media. Ask your followers if they’ve tried the dessert and what they thought of it.

When is National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day in 2025?

National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day is observed on April 20 each year.

Observations