Tropical Upside-Down Pineapple Muffins
Indulge in the delightful sweetness of these Tropical Upside-Down Pineapple Muffins, a bakery-style treat that marries the tropical flavor of pineapple with the rich, buttery taste of brown sugar and honey. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, these muffins can be made using fresh pineapple or canned tidbits, offering versatility to suit your taste preferences. Enhance the flavor and texture by adding chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts to the batter for a nutty crunch. These muffins are best enjoyed warm, but they also freeze beautifully, making them a convenient treat to have on hand. Ensure a generous greasing of your muffin tins to make muffin removal a breeze, and watch as they turn from delightful muffins into stunning upside-down treats with a gooey pineapple topping.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pineapple tidbits
1 (14-ounce) can (well drained)
Brown sugar
12 tablespoons
Butter
12 teaspoons (melted)
Honey
12 teaspoons
All-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups
Natural bran
1/2 cup
Baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons
Baking soda
1 teaspoon
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Brown sugar (for batter)
3/4 cup
Large egg
1
Buttermilk
1 cup (or plain yogurt)
Vegetable oil
1/4 cup
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (or pineapple extract)
Honey (for batter)
3 tablespoons
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and adjust the oven rack to the second-lowest position.
2
Generously grease 12 standard-size muffin tins with butter or cooking spray; avoid using paper liners for easier removal.
3
Evenly distribute the drained pineapple tidbits across the bottom of each muffin tin, creating a single layer.
4
Top each portion of pineapple with approximately 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, followed by 1 teaspoon of melted butter, and finally, 1 teaspoon of honey; set the prepared tins aside.
5
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, natural bran, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
6
Add 3/4 cup of brown sugar to the dry ingredients, stirring until the mixture is well blended.
7
In a separate medium bowl, beat the egg, then whisk in the buttermilk (or yogurt), vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons of honey until well combined.
8
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
9
Spoon the batter over the pineapple mixture in each muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top.
10
Place the muffin tins on a baking sheet to catch any drips during baking.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
12
Allow the muffins to cool in the tins for about 5 minutes before carefully inverting them onto a sheet of wax paper placed on a cooling rack to catch any overflow.
13
Let them cool upside down for a few more minutes, allowing the pineapple topping to set before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tropical Upside-Down Pineapple Muffins?
They are bakery-style muffins that feature a sweet, tropical pineapple topping with a rich glaze made of brown sugar, butter, and honey.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Can I use paper liners for this recipe?
It is recommended to avoid paper liners and instead generously grease the muffin tins to allow for easier removal and a better upside-down presentation.
How many muffins does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 12 standard-size muffins.
What kind of pineapple is best for these muffins?
The recipe calls for one 14-ounce can of pineapple tidbits, but you can also use fresh pineapple if preferred.
Is it necessary to drain the pineapple?
Yes, the pineapple tidbits should be well-drained to prevent the topping from becoming too watery.
What ingredients make up the upside-down topping?
The topping consists of drained pineapple tidbits, brown sugar, melted butter, and honey.
How much brown sugar is used in the topping for each muffin?
Approximately 1 tablespoon of brown sugar is placed on top of the pineapple in each muffin tin.
What is the purpose of natural bran in the batter?
Natural bran is used to provide texture and a wholesome flavor to the muffin base.
Can I substitute buttermilk if I do not have any?
Yes, you can use an equal amount of plain yogurt as a substitute for buttermilk.
What extract is recommended for flavoring?
You can use 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or pineapple extract to enhance the tropical flavor.
How long should these muffins bake?
The muffins typically bake for approximately 25 minutes.
How can I tell when the muffins are finished baking?
The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the muffins cool before being removed from the tin?
Allow the muffins to cool in the tins for about 5 minutes before inverting them.
Where should I place the oven rack for baking?
Adjust your oven rack to the second-lowest position for even baking.
Why should I place the muffin tin on a baking sheet?
Placing the tin on a baking sheet helps catch any sugar or butter drips that might overflow during the baking process.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, you can add chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts to the batter for extra crunch.
What should I invert the muffins onto?
Invert the muffins onto a sheet of wax paper placed over a cooling rack.
How should I serve these muffins?
These muffins are best enjoyed warm, which keeps the pineapple topping gooey and delicious.
Can these muffins be frozen?
Yes, these muffins freeze beautifully, making them a convenient treat for later.
What is the secret to easy muffin removal?
Generously greasing the tins with butter or cooking spray is the best way to ensure they come out cleanly.
How much honey is added to the batter?
The batter recipe includes 3 tablespoons of honey in the wet mixture.
Should I stir the batter vigorously?
No, you should stir the wet and dry ingredients gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
What dry ingredients are needed for the muffins?
The dry ingredients include flour, natural bran, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar.
How much vegetable oil is required?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of vegetable oil.
Can I use pineapple juice in the recipe?
While the recipe doesn't explicitly call for it, you could use a small amount to replace part of the buttermilk for more intense flavor, though the original recipe uses extract.
Why do the muffins need to sit upside down for a few minutes after inverting?
Allowing them to rest upside down for a few minutes helps the pineapple topping set properly onto the muffin.
What size muffin tin should be used?
A standard-size 12-cup muffin tin should be used.
How much butter is used in the topping?
Each muffin tin receives 1 teaspoon of melted butter as part of the upside-down base.
What is the overall flavor profile?
The muffins offer a tropical, buttery, and sweet flavor with a moist, bakery-style crumb.