5 from 4 votes

This Decadent Upside Down Pineapple Rum Cake is a tropical treat you’ll want to make again and again. A twist on the classic pineapple upside down cake recipe, it features fresh pineapple soaked in dark rum and sugar, then grilled to golden brown perfection.

A rich rum syrup, made with brown sugar and brown butter, infuses every bite with unforgettable tropical flavor. If you love rum cake recipes, this easy pineapple rum cake with caramelized pineapple slices is the rum cake recipe you’ll keep coming back to!

Upside Down Pineapple Rum Cake on white platter

This Latin version of the original recipe for pineapple upside-down cake skips the usual maraschino cherries and instead uses pre-grilled pineapple for deeper caramelization and a richer flavor. Inspired by the Cuban rum cake, Tortuga rum cake recipe, and Bahamian rum cake recipe, this twist on the classic blends the nostalgia of a favorite dessert with the tropical spirit of a Caribbean rum cake. This recipe uses a tender sponge cake base that soaks up a dark rum syrup, giving a nod to the famous rum cake recipe.

Whether you love a classic rum cake recipe or are searching for a rum cake recipe from scratch, this rum pineapple cake fusion is the perfect addition to your new recipes list.

This tropical bundt cake was inspired by Pineapple and Coconut Carrot Cake , and pairs well with this Cuban Pollo Asado and this Puerto Rican Beef Picadillo.

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❤️Why we love this Pineapple Rum Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients and Substitutions
Rum Sauce Ingredients
What is the Best Rum for Rum Cake?
Instructions
Recipe Variations
Storage suggestions
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?️Other Latin Desserts you may like
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❤️Why we love this Pineapple Rum Cake Recipe

This pineapple rum upside down cake takes the familiar comfort of an upside down pineapple cake recipe and gives it a bold, tropical twist.
With tropical flavors from grilled pineapple and a bold rum flavor in every bite, this delicious rum cake is a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for celebrations during the holiday season, summer gatherings, or even as an alternative to traditional birthday cakes.

The perfect cake when you want something memorable, and we hope that you love it as much as we do! The best rum cake recipe that impresses and will easily become one of your go-to favorites!

Equipment

To make this cake successfully, gather the following:

A 12-cup bundt pan for the main bake, or use a regular round cake pan if you prefer a different shape. Have other cake pans and smaller bowls ready for prepping ingredients
A handheld electric mixer or stand mixer for mixing the batter
Parchment paper for lining the bundt cake mold (optional)
Small saucepan for the rum syrup
Serving plate or cake stand
Aluminum foil or Plastic wrap for covering leftovers

Ingredients and Substitutions

This recipe uses simple pantry staples along with fresh, grilled pineapple for a rich flavor that sets it apart from other pineapple rum cake recipes. The combination of brown sugar, melted butter, and rum in the syrup creates a delicious deep caramel note.

See the Printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities

Pineapple Topping Ingredients

Cake Batter Ingredients

Rum Sauce Ingredients

Ingredients Notes

For the topping: We use pineapple, rum, and brown sugar for caramelized sweetness. Fresh pineapple brings the best texture and taste, but canned pineapple works in a pinch. If you use canned pineapple, drain well to prevent excess moisture.
Cake batter: Simple, staple ingredients create the base — butter, sugar, large eggs, milk, purpose flour, and a touch of vanilla extract keep the cake soft and tender. Using cake flour instead of all-purpose flour will yield a lighter texture, but both work well. Butter is used for both texture and flavor, but you can swap half the butter for vegetable oil to create a softer crumb.
Rum sauce: Just four ingredients make this indulgent finish — butter, sugar, dark rum, and water. If you’ve ever wondered how much rum is in rum cake, this one has enough to add flavor without overpowering the cake’s sweetness. The alcohol content in the sauce reduces as it cooks, leaving behind the rich flavor of the rum.

See the Printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities

What is the Best Rum for Rum Cake?

Various types of rum work beautifully in rum cake, but for a warm, aromatic flavor, a dark rum is our go-to. We like to use Zaya, though Bacardi Gold or Dark Myer’s rum are good options for this recipe.

Gold rum offers a balance between light and dark, with a darker color and mild sweetness from aging in oak barrels. Fans of aged rum (like us) will appreciate the depth it brings, and different rums can be blended to create your own signature kind of rum flavor.

For a spiced twist, spiced rum like Captain Morgan pairs well with pineapple. If you prefer a lighter taste, white rum or light rum provide a more subtle flavor profile, letting the cake’s buttery sweetness shine.

Instructions

This made from scratch recipe uses basic ingredients to make a tender buttery yellow cake.

Grilled Pineapple Instructions

sliced pineapple in a pan for Upside Down Pineapple Rum Cake

Step 1: Cut the pineapple in slices each 1/4-inch thick approximately.

pouring rum over sliced pineapple for Upside Down Pineapple Rum Cake

Step 2: Soak the pineapple in rum - lay the pineapple rings in a shallow pan and cover with rum.

soaking sliced pineapple with rum and brown sugar

Step 3: Add 1/4 cup of brown sugar and let it marinade for 10-15 minutes.

grilled rum and sugar pineapple for pineapple rum cake

Step 4: Heat a grill or griddle to high heat (or a skillet over medium heat). Grill the rings 2–3 minutes per side until lightly caramelized. Set aside.

Cake Batter Instructions

Set a preheated oven to 350°f. Grease a prepared bundt pan well, getting into the inside of the pan, sides of the pan, and bottom of pan. For best results, have all cake ingredients at room temperature.

Step 1: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on low speed until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until the egg yolk disappears before adding the next. stir in vanilla.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, sift and whisk the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt).

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Step 3: Add to the wet ingredients in turns: Alternate the flour mixture with milk, and blend mixture just until combined.

mixed butter for rum cake recipe instructions

Step 4: Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl. The cake batter should look smooth and thick. Go easy on mixing for a tender crumb.

melted butter and brown sugar in cake pan for Upside Down Pineapple Rum Cake

Step 5: Build the Topping in the baking Pan - Melt butter and pour it over the bottom of the pan.

Step 6: Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of brown sugar evenly.

layered pineapple slices in cake pan for Upside Down Pineapple Rum Cake

Step 7: Arrange the grilled pineapple in a single layer.

Step 8: Overlap slightly as shown in the picture.

layered pineapple slices and cake batter in cake pan for Upside Down Pineapple Rum Cake

Step 9: Pan & Bake - Pour batter over the fruit in the baking pan and level it.

cake batter in cake pan for pineapple Rum Cake

Step 10: Place in the preheated oven. As the cake bakes (about 45–50 minutes), check doneness by inserting a wooden skewer in the center of the cake; a few moist crumbs are fine.

Rum Sauce Instructions

Step 1: Make the Rum Syrup (rum sauce / rum glaze) — in a small saucepan, combine butter, sugar, and water.

Step 2: Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, then decrease heat and simmer about 15 minutes until slightly thick.

Step 3: Off the heat, stir in rum for a glossy rum syrup. Give it a good stir.
Use the sauce as is, or for a less alcoholic taste, return it to low heat and simmer 5 minutes more to let some alcohol evaporate

Cake Soaking Instructions

soaking cake with rum syrup for cuban rum cake

Soak the baked cake - transfer the cake pan to a cooling rack or wire rack. While hot, poke holes all over the top of the cake with a fork or wooden skewer.

Pour or spoon on the rum syrup slowly so it soaks in. Reserve some as remaining glaze for finishing the sides of the cake after unmolding.

soaking cake with rum syrup for caribbean rum cake

Let the cake cool 5–10 minutes

Invert & Finish - Loosen the edges of the cake, then invert it onto a serving plate. Brush the top of the cake and sides of the cake with the remaining glaze. Cool completely before slicing.

Timing & Serving Notes - The flavor deepens by the next day. Warm slices pair nicely with a drizzle of rum sauce and a dollop of ice cream.

There you have it, a beautiful, tender, and flavorfull
Upside Down Pineapple Rum Cake!

pineapple upside down cake recipe with rum sauce

Enjoy your Pineapple Upside Down Rum cake — a showy top, plush crumb, and balanced rum finish!

Recipe Variations

Piña Colada Twist: Swap in coconut rum and coconut milk for part of the dairy to boost the pineapple flavor.
Spice Route: Make a spiced rum cake recipe version by swapping in spiced rum and a pinch of cinnamon.
Vanilla-forward: Double the vanilla and use white rum for a softer vanilla rum cake recipe that keeps the pineapple center stage.

Storage suggestions

Room temp: Keep the cake covered on a plate or in an airtight container for up to 2 days; flavors deepen by the next day.
Refrigerate: Store slices in an airttight container for 4–5 days
Freeze: Wrap whole cake or slices in plastic wrap, then foil; freeze up to 2 months. thaw overnight in the fridge.
Extra syrup: Refrigerate leftover rum syrup in a jar for 1 week; rewarm and brush over the cake or stir syrup into spritzers and cocktails for perfect summer drinks.

Love this pineapple flavor? See Carrot Cake with Pineapple and Coconut and Coconut Passion Fruit Layered Cake on the site for a similar tropical profile.

Bring the island vibes to your table with this homemade rum cake — caramelized pineapple, buttery crumb, and a smooth rum finish. A great addition to parties, holidays, or any sweet-tooth moment!

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