South Sudanese Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Ingredients

In the South Sudanese adaptation of the Pineapple Upside Down Cake, we incorporate local ingredients and flavors to give it a unique twist. Instead of using traditional American ingredients like all-purpose flour and granulated sugar, we substitute them with sorghum flour and honey, which are commonly used in South Sudanese cuisine. This substitution adds a nutty flavor and a touch of natural sweetness to the cake. Additionally, we infuse the cake batter with a hint of cardamom, a popular spice in South Sudan, to enhance the aromatic profile of the dessert. We alse have the original recipe for Pineapple upside down cake, so you can check it out.

• 1 ripe pineapple, peeled and sliced into rings 1 ripe pineapple, peeled and sliced into rings
• 1/2 cup (120ml) honey 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
• 1/4 cup (60ml) unsalted butter 1/4 cup (60ml) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (120g) sorghum flour 1 cup (120g) sorghum flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 cup (120ml) milk 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 45g (Sugar: 25g)
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the honey and stir until well combined. Pour the mixture into a round cake pan, spreading it evenly to coat the bottom.
3. 3.
   Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the honey-butter mixture in the cake pan.
4. 4.
   In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sorghum flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cardamom.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
6. 6.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
7. 7.
   Pour the batter over the pineapple slices in the cake pan, spreading it evenly.
8. 8.
   Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
9. 9.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
10. 10.
    Place a serving plate upside down on top of the cake pan, then carefully flip the cake onto the plate. Gently lift the pan to reveal the pineapple topping.
11. 11.
    Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pineapple — Make sure to use ripe pineapple for the best flavor and sweetness.
• Sorghum flour — If you can't find sorghum flour, you can substitute it with rice flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
• Cardamom — For a stronger cardamom flavor, you can crush the cardamom pods and add the seeds to the batter.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the caramelization of the pineapple, you can sprinkle a little brown sugar on top of the pineapple slices before pouring the batter.
• Serve the cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures.
• If you prefer a sweeter cake, you can drizzle some additional honey over the top before serving.
• Experiment with different fruits such as mango or banana for a variation of flavors.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the South Sudanese Pineapple Upside Down Cake as a dessert or a sweet treat for special occasions. Cut it into slices and serve it on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.

Presentation advice

When presenting the cake, make sure to display the caramelized pineapple slices on top to showcase the beautiful golden color. You can also garnish the cake with fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.