Pineapple Upside Down Sugar Cookies (Printable Version)
Soft sugar cookies with caramelized pineapple and cherry topping for a tropical twist on a classic dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruit Topping
01 - 1 cup pineapple, diced (fresh or canned, well drained)
02 - 9 maraschino cherries, halved
03 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
04 - 1/3 cup light brown sugar
→ Sugar Cookie Dough
05 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 1 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar until well mixed.
03 - Place a teaspoon of the butter-sugar mixture in the center of each parchment-lined cookie spot (18 spots total, spaced apart). Arrange a few pineapple pieces and half a cherry over each butter-sugar mound, pressing gently.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
05 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until fully incorporated.
06 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
07 - Scoop 2-tablespoon portions of dough and flatten into thick discs. Place each disc over the pineapple-cherry topping, fully covering the fruit.
08 - Bake for 13-15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are set.
09 - Let cool on the sheet for 3 minutes, then carefully invert each cookie onto a wire rack while still warm to reveal the caramelized fruit topping. Cool completely before serving.
# Chef's Tips:
01 -
- They capture everything magical about pineapple upside-down cake but in handheld form
- The caramelized fruit topping creates pockets of gooey sweetness in every bite
02 -
- Invert the cookies while still warm or the fruit will stick to the parchment paper
- Well-drained pineapple is crucial because excess moisture makes the cookie soggy underneath
03 -
- Work quickly when inverting the cookies since the caramel sets fast as it cools
- A pinch of cinnamon in the brown sugar mixture adds warmth that complements the pineapple