Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake

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This Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake is an awesome combination of walnuts, fruity pineapple and a bit of cinnamon. It’s a easy bundt cake recipe that is perfect for spring!

Looking for a classic version of this retro cake? Check out this classic pineapple upside down cake.

This post is sponsored by Diamond of California and a bundt pan was provided by Casabella, but all opinions are my own.

I Love The Unique Shape Of Bundt Cakes

Bundt cakes are totally defined by their shape. With the hole in the middle, it’s their shape from the bundt pan itself that often is what makes it unique. There’s no one particular recipe or kind of cake that really applies to all bundts. Part of what makes them so great is their simple beauty. For this cake, I wanted a soft, tender cake that was well flavored with delicious walnuts and pineapple and had an easy beauty to it. I went through quite a few versions to get this just right and I have to say – it’s perfect!Close up side view of a slice of Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Cake on a plate with a fork

The flavor was inspired by my Pineapple Coconut Bars with Walnuts that I made last year. They were from my grandmother’s old cookbook and I loved the flavor. The walnuts take center stage in this bundt cake. They are combined with cinnamon in a walnut streusel that adds flavor to both the top of the cake and throughout the cake – plus they look terrific!

A bundt cake topped with pineapple and nuts sits on a cake stand next to a bag of walnutsA slice of cake with a pineapple and nuts on top sits on a white plate with a fork

What Ingredients Are In This Pineapple Upside Down Cake?

I was really excited to partner Diamond of California for this recipe. Their nuts are awesome for baking – they’re unseasoned, non-GMO and great high-quality nuts. Plus, they have so many varieties. They are one of my favorite parts about this bundt cake.

So let’s break down the bundt cake a bit, shall we?

Much like a pineapple upside down cake, you’ve got pineapple slices right on top. Right behind them are the walnuts coated in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Are you drooling yet? 😉

There’s also pineapple juice in the cake itself, as well as a walnut streusel that brings the walnut cinnamon flavor right through to every bite. The cake is tender, soft and seriously delicious.

Top view of a whole Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake on a white platterA slice of Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake on a white plate with a fork

How To Make Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake

To put his beauty together, you’ll first put together the walnut topping and the walnut streusel for inside. Once you’ve made the batter, stir the streusel right into it. Add the pineapple slices and walnut topping to the pan. As shown below, I made sure to fill in the pineapple holes with the topping and then fill in the areas around it. You want to be sure to place the walnuts so they are really going to be visible when you unveil the cake. It ends up creating a beautiful bundt cake and is decoration all on it’s own. Plus, all that flavor on top makes it my favorite part of the cake. The batter is spread right on top of everything and baked.

Once it’s baked, allow it to cool for a good 45 minutes, then turn it out onto a serving plate and dive in! You could certainly let it cool completely first and serve it later but honestly this cake is even better when served warm. The flavor of the walnuts and cinnamon is especially terrific. The punch of pineapple reminds you that it’s spring – and one of my favorite times of the year.

This bundt cake would be perfect for dessert, a snack – or even with morning coffee. The fruit and nutrition from the walnuts totally make it breakfast appropriate, wouldn’t you agree? 🙂

An orange bundt cake pan with nuts inside sits next to a bag of chopped walnutsPineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake on a white cake plate with nuts sprinkled around it

Print
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Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake on cake stand
Recipe

Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 Slices
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake is an awesome combination of walnuts, fruity pineapple and a bit of cinnamon. It’s a easy bundt cake recipe that is perfect for spring!


Ingredients

WALNUT STREUSEL

  • 1/2 cup (60g) finely chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup (33g) all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (56g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp (28g) butter, melted

PINEAPPLE WALNUT TOPPING

  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, divided
  • Two 8 oz cans pineapple slices
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

PINEAPPLE CAKE

  • 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (310g) sugar
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups (325g) all purpose flour
  • 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) milk, room temperature
  • 2/3 cup (160ml) pineapple juice, room temperature

Instructions

1. Grease a 10 inch bundt cake and preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
2. To make the walnut streusel, combine the first four ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Add the melted butter and stir until crumbly. Set aside.
4. To make the pineapple walnut topping, use a spoon to drip the melted butter over the bottom of the pan.
5. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar over the bottom of the pan.
6. Place the pineapple slices into the bottom of the pan, evenly spaced. Reserve the pineapple juice from the can (should be about 2/3 cup of juice).
7. In a small bowl, combine the remaining brown sugar, cinnamon and walnuts, then add them to the pan. I filled in the holes of the pineapple, then spread them around the outer edges of the pineapple. Set pan aside.
8. To make the cake batter – In a large mixer bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes.
9. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and mix until well incorporated.
10. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until well incorporated after each.
11. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Combine milk and pineapple juice in a small measuring cup.
12. Add half of the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
13. Add the pineapple juice mixture and mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure all is incorporated.
14. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
15. Stir the walnut streusel into the cake batter.
16. Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
17. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
18. Allow to cool for about 45 minutes (or until cool), then invert onto a serving dish. You can serve it warm or allow it to cool completely and serve it at room temperature. The cake can be refrigerated but is best served warm or at room temperature.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 363
  • Sugar: 28.4 g
  • Sodium: 96.4 mg
  • Fat: 17.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 47.3 g
  • Protein: 5.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 66.7 mg

Filed Under:

Enjoy!

 

A slice of cake is on a white plate with a fork and a whole Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake is behind it

Pineapple Walnut Upside Down Bundt Cake - such a tender and moist cake! So much flavor from the pineapple and Diamond of California walnuts!

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23 Comments
    1. Mr. Mann

      Are the walnuts and/or streusel a mandatory part of this? What if I wanted to make this with NO nuts? Would I need to alter other aspects of the recipe as well? Thank you so much

      1. Lindsay

        You could certainly make the cake without it. It should be fine without adjusting anything else.

  1. Jenna E

    Is it possible to do this as cupcakes instead of the bundt pan? Love your recipes and know they are tried and true 🙂 So I’m curious if the batter could be divided? Thank you so much 🙂

    1. Lindsay

      I haven’t tried it to see what it’d be like. It’s definitely a denser cake so I’d expect the cupcakes to be the same.

  2. Qelo

    Lovely and beautiful cake. I usually bake cakes for 30 min, 60 min sound a bit too much or does this particular cake need that much time?

    1. Lindsay

      Every cake has a different baking time and bundt cakes often take longer. Please follow the recipe as written for the best results.

  3. Carol

    There are several types of Bundt pans available.
    Pans without a coating  and pans with a nonstick coating.
    Which do you prefer ??????

  4. irma l rios

    Love the recipe. The only thing that you jump ed from the #15 to #19 and onto #21. Just incase, someone could get a little confused. Truly loved the recipe.

  5. simonacallas

    This cake looks so beautiful and elegant <3 I've never tried pineapple, walnuts and cinnamon together and I am sure it's a great combination so I can't wait to try it! Thank you for sharing 🙂 

  6. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

    Lindsay, I want a big slice of this beauty right this minute! Beautiful and delicious, what more can you ask for in a cake?

  7. Mir

    Best pineapple upside-down cake I have ever seen, bar none. I mean, putting a walnut streusel in there will take it to that next level. And a bundt. So awesome!

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I'm a wife and a mom to twin boys and a baby girl! And I've got a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the treats!

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29