Pineapple Upside Down Layer Cake

I love pineapple upside down cake, but like so many other things, I just don't get around to making it very often. This time, I wanted to switch it up a bit by making it a layer cake! I started with a super simple pineapple upside down cake and used a cake mix.  I made a delicious coconut cream cheese frosting to put between the layers.  This cake is fruity and sweet and still a classic!

Pineapple Upside Down Layer Cake

Topping:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, divided
1 cup packed brown sugar, divided
14 pineapple slices, divided

Cake:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 box (4 serving size) instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1 cup water (or use pineapple juice)
1/2 cup oil

Frosting:
1/2 stick (4 Tablespoons) butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, cold
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
2 to 3 Tablespoons cream of coconut

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease 2 9-inch round cake pans.

In a small bowl, melt 1/4 cup of the butter.  Add 1/2 cup of the brown sugar and stir until smooth.  Pour the butter mixture into one of the prepared cake pans.  Arrange 7 of the pineapple slices on top.  Repeat with remaining butter, brown sugar, and pineapple slices in the second cake pan.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, vanilla pudding, eggs, water (or pineapple juice), and oil.  Beat until well blended and slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.  Divide the batter equally between the two pans, and pour carefully over the pineapple, smoothing the top.  Bake the cakes for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for several minutes, then turn out one layer on a serving plate, and the other cake layer on a cooling rack.

For the frosting, beat together the butter and one cup of powdered sugar until combined.  Beat in the cream cheese, followed by the remaining powdered sugar. Add the coconut extract and cream of coconut, and beat until smooth.

Spread the frosting over the top of the cake layer on the serving plate.  Place the remaining cake layer on top of the frosting.  Makes 12 to 16 servings.  

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy