Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Place the Butter (1/4 cup) into a 9x13-inch pan and place in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Let the butter melt.

Once melted, remove pan from oven, and evenly sprinkle the Brown Sugar (1/3 cup) onto the melted butter. Arrange the Pineapples (12 slices) on top of the melted butter and put a Maraschino Cherries (12) in the middle of each pineapple slice. Set aside.

In a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the Granulated Sugar (1 3/4 cups), Butter (1 cup), and Vanilla Extract (1/2 Tbsp) together on medium/high for a few minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy and white in color. While mixing on low, add the Eggs (3) one at a time just until combined.

In a separate bowl, sift the All-Purpose Flour (2 1/2 cups), Salt (1 tsp), and Baking Soda (1 Tbsp) together. Add the dry ingredients and Buttermilk (1 1/4 cups) to the butter mixture in three additions, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.

Pour the batter on top of the pineapple-lined baking dish and spread evenly. Place the cake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a dish or a sheet of parchment paper. Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.