Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Fudge

We’ve played around before with pineapple upside-down cake, making it a bundt, in miniature versions and even as pancakes. We’ve indulged in every version of fudge we could think of: s’mores, peanut butter, Oreo, turtle, cherry chocolate, even eggnog. But never before have we put the two together— until TODAY. That’s right! We’re making Pineapple Upside-Down Cake FUDGE! This incredible treat tastes exactly like the tropical cake, but with a fudgey twist that will make you so happy. Plus, it features real chunks of pineapple and maraschino cherries for a true blast of those fresh, incredible flavors. It’s a tasty combination just begging to be tried. Watch how it’s made, then read on for the recipe and give yourself some delight!

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PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE FUDGE

Makes 25 pieces
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons pineapple juice
  • 4 tablespoons yellow cake mix
  • 7 ounces marshmallow creme
  • 1-¼ cups dried pineapple, diced
  • 13 maraschino cherries, cut in half

DIRECTIONS

  1. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Be sure to leave enough overhang so the fudge can be lifted out after it has set.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, butter and heavy cream, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until a candy or instant-read thermometer reads 234 degrees Fahrenheit (112 degrees Celsius). (At this point, the sugar mixture is at what’s known as the “soft-ball stage!”)
  3. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the white chocolate chips until they are melted and the mixture is smooth.
  4. Add the pineapple juice, cake mix and marshmallow creme, and mix until well-blended.
  5. Fold in the diced dried pineapple.
  6. Pour the fudge mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  7. Place the cherry halves, cut-side down and evenly spaced, on top of the fudge. (Note that five rows of five cherry pieces will yield 25 pieces when cut.)
  8. Place the fudge in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, until firm.
  9. Once the fudge is firm, lift parchment from the pan, and cut into pieces, being sure to get 1 cherry piece per slice.
  10. Serve and enjoy!

How fantastic does that look?! Who would have thought you could make fudge taste like such a specific cake? If you’re concerned about that spot of dry cake mix, don’t worry! The four tablespoons are just enough to give the fudge that cake flavor, but not enough to change the texture of the fudge. It’ll absolutely be the smooth fudge you crave, especially with that marshmallow creme mixed into it!

So what do YOU think? Will you give this Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Fudge a try? Are there any other cake flavors or types you’d like to see transformed into fudgey squares? How would you make this one your own? Tell us if you give it a try and how it turns out for you! And if you love your upside-down pineapple as fudge, you’re really gonna love it as a pineapple upside-down cake shot.

Recipe adapted from Sweet ReciPEAS