Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

I grew up eating pineapple upside down cake that my mom made. It was one of my favorites growing up, and the only time I will eat warm pineapple. I found a recipe on pinterest that was cupcake sized versions and knew I had to try them. 

Here is where I found the original recipe:
http://www.bigmamashomekitchen.com/2010/10/mini-pineapple-upside-down-cakes.html
I omitted the cherries and did not use a mixer. I fell like it's just as easy to mix by hand as it is to get the mixer out of the cabinet.
Here is the recipe:


Cake Ingredients:
2 eggs
2/3 cup white sugar
4 tbsp pineapple juice
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt


Topping:
1/4 cup butter 
2/3 C brown sugar
1-can pineapple tidbits


Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray your muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.  

In a mixing bowl, add eggs, white sugar, and pineapple juice.  Beat for 2 minutes.  
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add to the wet ingredients and turn mixer back on for 2 minutes.  


In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and add the brown sugar.  Stir on low heat for one minute.


Spoon a layer of the warm brown sugar mixture into the bottom of each muffin tin, then spoon some pineapple tidbits on top.  Pour cake mixture over to fill muffin tin 3/4 of the way full.  

Bake regular cakes for 20 minutes.  The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.


Remove from the oven.  Let cool in pan for 3 minutes.  Run a knife around the edge of each cake to help loosen in case it sticks a little.  Place a wire cooling rack on top, and quickly flip over on top of sheet tray to catch extra drippings.


Here is what mine looked like: 

These turned out well. They looked so damn good when I took them out of the oven and flipped them onto the rack. I was really hoping they tasted as good as they looked. Guess what? They did! Not quite as good as the version my mom makes, but close enough and easy enough that I will definitely make these more often. And I love that they are individually portioned. Perfect!