Recipe: PINEAPPLE SPICE reversed CAKE torte

Pining for PINEAPPLE goodness in this:

PINEAPPLE SPICE reversed CAKE torte.

This wonderful aromatic and great tasting torte somehow reminded

me of the great spices that the Haitians use in the delightful desserts.

I live in an area where many Haitian immigrants came to call home.

They are such lovely, generous and hard working people.

They love to laugh and share their recipes

all the while surprising you with a great dessert.

I took a few tips here and their...

adapted it to a recipe I had tried from celebrity chef Cristine Cushing...

and finally turned out a less spiky version that resembles more my character

You can definitely succeed this tort cake with canned pineapple...

however, nothing beats using fresh mouth-watering pineapple slices.

Speaking of this main ingredient...

did you miss out on the feature story relating to the amazing PINEAPPLE?

 If so...click here...and don't forget to come back!

PINEAPPLE SPICE...
reversed CAKE torte

serves 8-10 persons


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INGREDIENTS:
(American / Metric measures)


Topping:
. 1/3 cup (70gr) brown sugar
. 1/4 cup (60gr) melted butter
. 1 tbsp. (15ml) grated ginger
. 2 tbsp. (30ml) lemon juice
. 4 thick sliced fresh pineapples
     (1/4 inch/ 8mm)... (or 1 can of pineapple)
. 9 maraschino cherries...cut in half

Cake batter:
. . 1-2/3 cup (160gr) all-purpose flour * (to be sifted)
. 1 tsp (5ml) baking soda
. 1/2 tsp. (2.5ml) ground cinnamon
. 1/4 tsp (1ml) each of: salt, ground allspice,
cardamom and nutmeg
. 1/2 cup (120gr) butter **
. 3/4 cup (165gr) sugar
. 1 egg
. 1 tsp. (5ml) vanilla extract
. 3/4 cup (180ml) buttermilk *** (at room temp.)
. 1 tbsp. (15ml) molasses ('black strap' preferred)

*The flour content can have half of it replaced by another flour like: whole wheat or spelt flour.

**The butter content can be lightened by replacing half by an applesauce or prune purée.

***Buttermilk (homemade): For the 3/4 cup (180ml) needed...first add 1 tbsp. (15ml) of EITHER: lemon juice, white or cider vinegar.  To that, add the rest in milk to complete the volume required.  Let the milk thicken and 'sour' for 10 minutes.   Give it a stir before pouring it into the recipe.

PREPARATION:

10 inch (25-26cm) round Cake pan

Pre-heat oven to: 350F/180C/Gas 4

Place oven rack on the second level from the bottom

Topping: (...for the bottom foundation of the cake pan)

. Pour the melted butter into the cake pan and swirl it around the interior of the complete pan!

. In a small bowl...mix together the brown sugar with the grated ginger. Then sprinkle the mix evenly throughout the bottom.

Arrange the pineapple slices in a single layer and drizzle them with the lemon juice. Set the pan aside.

Note for layout design: If using fresh pineapple slices...cut each individual ring into 4 quadrants. Follow the design in the photo. Then place the halved cherries...cut side upwards. This last part is optional...however, it will considerably take away from its attractiveness.

Cake batter:

. Sift all the dry ingredients together: flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside

. In a large bowl...cream together the butter and sugar until it becomes light and fluffy.

. Add the egg and beat until well blended.

. In a separate small bowl...whisk together the molasses with the buttermilk.

. Alternate the additions of both the dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture into the creamed butter mixture.

. Keep beating throughout as you are adding the dry and liquid ingredients for about another minute or so.  Do not over beat.

. Pour the batter over the pineapple layout.

. Bake cake for about 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

. Take cake out...and leave it to cool in its pan, on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

. Choose your presentable plate and place it on top of the pan to then be able to invert it.  Give it 5 minutes for all the syrup to fall back on its cake.

Voila, a gorgeously delightful aromatic cake...

impatiently waiting for that first bite.

Wishing you...spice of life and flavourful wishes,

Foodessa

Here are some related posts that may be of interest:

- Are DRUGS in your PINEAPPLE?  TROPICAL TASTY TALE

- PEACH cookie PINEAPPLE cake No-Bake