Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

I couldn't let this weekend go by without a baked treat, so today I finally took out this pineapple upside-down cake recipe from my recipe album to share with you, especially for the following reason: just before yesterday my youngest daughter told me she didn't know how easy it was to bake using cake mixes. She was surprised to know you only need eggs, oil and water to make a complete cake batter in just two minutes. For her it was MAGIC! We see these boxes at the supermarket all the time, so I couldn't believe she didn't know the how-to for the cake mixes. I can't blame her because ever since she was three years old, I stop using cake mixes and have been baking everything from scratch.

 

En español: AQUI

A special cake to give as a gift does not need to be overly elaborated, it just needs to be made with love and of course it should taste delicious. I believe that even when we have learn to make our own cakes, these mixes are still great, and can bail us out anytime we have little time to prepare a cake.

I’ve had this pineapple upside-down cake recipe since 1994 and it is a keeper for generations to come, because it is a cake mix cake made special by using pineapple juice instead of water, and adding a pineapple, cherry, brown sugar and butter topping.  It's a scrumptious and irresistible cake, you'll see!

I grew up baking and loving these cakes, so today I was happy to teach my daughter the "magic" of cake mixes. We enjoyed baking and savoring this delicious "magical" treat together. You are still in time for baking a cake today or this upcoming family Sunday when we celebrate Mother's Day here in Dominican Republic. To all those who like to bake but do not have much experience in baking, I recommend this recipe to you and hope you make it one of your first baking attempts. For those that are experience bakers, I invite you to try it as well, I am sure you'll enjoy its taste. Happy Baking!

Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe 
(adapted from Betty Crocker)

Ingredients:
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple or chunks in juice, drained and juice reserved.
1 jar (6 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained
1 package yellow cake mix
Oil and eggs as called for on cake mix package directions.


Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Melt butter in 13x9 inch pan in oven. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter.  
2. Arrange pineapple slice and cherries oven top; press gently.  
3. Add enough water to pineapple juice to measure 1¼ cups. Make cake batter as directed on package-except use pineapple juice mixture instead of the water. Pour batter over pineapple and cherries.  
4. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately turn pan upside down onto heatproof serving plate; leave pan over cake 1 minute. Serve warm or cool. Store loosely covered.

Note: High altitude (3500-6500 ft): Grease and flour pan. Stir 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour into dry cake mix. Bake 45-50 min.

En español: AQUÍ

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.

Have a marvelous day!

Arroz con Leche, Rice Pudding

In celebration of Mother's Day in May, I'm excited to share a cherished recipe with you - Arroz con Leche (Dominican Rice Pudding). This delightful treat is not only a nostalgic reminder of our beloved mothers and grandmothers but also a comforting taste of childhood memories.

Receta de Arroz con Leche en español.

Arroz con Leche comes in various versions, and this particular recipe, with its addition of evaporated and condensed kinds of milk, offers a delightful creaminess and flavor that's hard to resist. Whether served hot or cold and generously sprinkled with cinnamon, it's a dish that's sure to evoke warm feelings and satisfy the sweet tooth in your family.

As with many traditional recipes, there are countless variations available across different websites. However, this version holds a special place in my heart and has been a household favorite, particularly for my husband. It's a pleasure to fulfill the requests of numerous readers who have reached out to me for this recipe. I hope you find joy in my take on this classic dessert and continue the tradition of homemade delights in your own family.

Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche)  

Dominican Rice Pudding

Ingredients:
1 cup of uncooked rice

1 can of condensed milk (less or more to taste) I use 3/4 of the can. 
1 can of evaporated milk
1 cinnamon stick

¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves 
¼ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla
¼ cup raisins (optional)
lemon peel (optional)



Preparation: 

1. Clean and rinse rice. Let rice soak in 2 and a half cups of water for 20 minutes. Add 3 cups more of water and the cinnamon stick; simmer over medium fire for 15-17 minutes covered.

2. Add, salt, and raisins, and cook covered for another 10 minutes or until the rice is tender (I cook mine for 8 minutes, but the time varies depending on the type of rice used).

3. Add the condensed milk, evaporated milk, cinnamon, cloves, lemon zest, and vanilla to the cooked rice. Verify sweetness and add more sugar or condensed milk if you think it is necessary. Cook uncovered on moderate heat for another 7-10 minutes, over medium-low moving constantly to prevent rice pudding from sticking to the pot (I let mine cook for 7 minutes). 

4. Remove from heat; the consistency should be creamy but on the liquid side since the pudding will thicken much as it cools. After five minutes, discard lemon zest and cinnamon stick. Serve hot or cold, sprinkled with ground cinnamon.

Note: 

a) You can substitute the evaporated milk for whole milk, and the condensed milk for granulated sugar to taste, but making it just as this recipe states, makes a creamy and rich rice pudding! 

b) In step #2, when cooking the rice for ten minutes, if you think it needs more time and water to get tender, add one to two extra-cups of water and let cook until soft, before adding the milk. As I mentioned the cooking time varies depending on the rice you use. 

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. ~ Proverbs 31:29-30

How Print a Mari's Cakes Recipe

A question that has frequently come up: How to print the recipes on this blog? Follow the next steps and you’ll see it is very simple.

How to print?

1) At the end of each post you’ll find social sharing buttons, a printer icon should be there, click it, and print! 

or like this...

 

2) If no printer icon is found within the social sharing buttons, move the pointer right above the orange button with the white cross, and a window will open with a printing option, click and print! 

 

3) Another option is to CLICK the orange button with the white cross; a box will open, write PRINT in the search bar, several icons will appear, choose your favorite printing option and voila, print or save the recipe! 

 
If you have any difficulty, email us the title of the recipe you want and we'll send it as soon as possible.

The Lord makes firm the steps of those who delight in him. ~ Psalm 37:23

Enjoy your weekend in family :)