When it comes to pineapple upside down cake, are you team cast iron skillet or team cake pan, team pineapple rings or team crushed pineapple?

Until adulthood, I truly had no idea that this delicious treat could be made in anything other than cast iron, nor that crushed pineapple could be just as tasty in its making.

So, if you’re like me, you may have been equally surprised, and delightfully intrigued, at yet another twist surrounding this classic confection: the notion of adding these familiar summertime flavors…to your coffee mug.

Yes, as questionable, yet intriguing, (and truly delicious) as this sounds, we’re talking about pineapple upside down cake flavored coffee!

Growing up, I can recall the marriage of these two aromas, coffee and pineapple upside down cake, as my father would impatiently await his task of flipping the cast iron skillet and savoring the first sample of this confection by brewing a pot of coffee and pacing the kitchen floor as he enjoyed his mug contents until the fruit-forward, caramelized, buttery, sweet cake was perfectly baked, oven-hot, and ready to be flipped.

But, aroma can only take this union so far.

If you’ve ever enjoyed sipping a piping hot cup of coffee alongside a piece of this classic confection, you know the flavors of bold, rich, and smooth java pair perfectly with this treat, seemingly melting the moist, buttery cake and tropically caramelized fruit topping effortlessly in your mouth.

And, it’s with this tasty, tantalizing coffee and cake combination in mind that our pineapple upside down cake coffee was born.

So now, as you can likely imagine, here at Lifeboost, we’ve expanded our team vocabulary, moving past cast iron, cake pans, rings, and crushed options - yes, here when it comes to pineapple upside down cake, we’re all team mug!

The History Of Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This classic, even common, dessert staple is thought to have originated in the 1920’s with the earliest printed recipes for the cake having been found in a 1924 edition of a Seattle charity cookbook.

And, though it’s quite common today, this confection, believe it or not, was apparently bougie in its earlier years.

By the 1950’s and 1960’s pineapple upside down cake was pretty common, but when it first came on the scene in the 20’s, the now-common treat was a high-class company-only offering.

Nearly one hundred years ago, pineapple was considered a trendy ingredient, even considered elegant. So, adding this tropical trend to an upside down cake was reserved for “glamorous company” alone.

Personally, I had to chuckle a bit when I came across this information, primarily because this cake has simply been a common, all-American, even traditionally offered dessert selection all throughout my lifetime. However, when I learned that the upside down confectionery offerings preceding this tropical fruit included flavor pairings such as peanut butter and peaches, I suppose I can more so see how pineapple was viewed as a high class “company only” cake.

But, what about the pairing of pineapple and coffee, isn’t this combo just as peculiar as peanut butter and peaches?

Let’s examine this duo and let you decide…

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

All the natural flavors and extracts of delicious pineapple upside down cake with our beloved medium roast, an experience you’ll have to taste to believe!

Shop Now

Flavor

First, let’s see whether or not this pair “works” when it comes to flavor.

Pineapple is naturally acidic, containing both citric and malic acids. These organic compounds are what give this tropical fruit its tangy flavor.

And, it’s actually these tart and tangy components that make tropical fruits, like pineapple, pair so well with coffee. Yes, pineapple indeed pairs well with java.

The tangy flavor of pineapple serves to actually enhance the deep, rich flavor of coffee to create an overall balanced taste.

Many who’ve tried our Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee have shared that they were skeptical at first, but found each sip prompted them for another, keeping them coming back for more. And, this response is thought to be attributed to the balance that the addition of tropical fruits can bring to coffee.

Bonus tip: If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, I’ve found that other tropical fruits like passion fruit and mango can have similar effects when combined with this beloved bean. Though these lack the tanginess typical of pineapple, they also bring about a smooth, balanced, tropically refreshing brew.

Health

Aside from flavor, pineapple and coffee also make a great health boosting combo!

The caffeine content of coffee certainly contributes to this bean’s health enhancing abilities as this stimulant…

• protects dopamine producing cells in the brain which helps your nerve cells send messages to one another
• is linked to a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease
• reduces your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• contributes to increased energy levels and improved athletic performance
• may alter how the body stores fat, promoting healthy weight management

And, coffee is also rich in polyphenols and other antioxidants which are linked to…

• protection against type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
• a reduced risk of liver cancer and overall liver protection (even reversing the effects of cirrhosis and fatty liver disease)
• improved blood pressure levels and a reduced risk of heart disease
• fewer instances of, and an overall reduced risk of, depression
• the prevention of gallstone formation
• an overall reduced risk of early death from all causes

When combining your brew with pineapple, however, you’ll also be reaping this tropical fruit’s impressive health benefits.

• Pineapple is one of the best sources of bromelain, a group of enzymes found in this fruit which act as a powerful anti-inflammatory.

• It’s also rich in vitamin C, with just one cup containing 131% of the daily recommended amount needed by your body.

• Vitamin C greatly supports your immune system, is able to synthesize collagen, and can even aid in skin healing (such as sunburn or dry skin issues).

• Pineapple is also high in fiber which may lower your risk of chronic diseases, including cancer and diabetes.

• Beta-carotene is abundant in many plant foods, including pineapple, and while this is what gives some plant foods their vibrant color, it also has proven to be beneficial at specifically lowering respiratory inflammation, even reducing your risk of asthma.

• Due to its potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidant content, this tangy fruit may also protect against cardiovascular disease and help you better manage your weight.

• And, pineapple aids in digestion by breaking down proteins into amino acids and peptides.

Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better…

…when you combine the powerful health benefits and uniquely balancing flavor characteristics of this duo with velvety smooth, pure vanilla extract and buttery brown sugar oils, you’ve got a pineapple-cake-coffee creation that’s not only healthy and balanced, but also bold and refreshing as well as smooth and seemingly confectionery (without the calories of a slice of cake) all in one cup of coffee.

However, unlike the 1920’s trend, we certainly wouldn’t suggest treating your Lifeboost Pineapple Upside Cake Coffee as something you would only share with “glamorous company.” Instead, we’d even like to share a few recipes to use with this fabulously delicious brew that you can enjoy on your own and with others.

3 Ways To Enjoy Your Pineapple Upside Down Cake Lifeboost Coffee

While there are far more than three ways to sip, savor, sample, and simply enjoy our refreshing, beloved Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee, we’ll leave you today with three recipes that incorporate the most popular ways to enjoy a tasty cup of joe: piping hot, iced, and as a delicious cocktail.

Some Like It Hot…

When enjoying this brew hot, I prefer to subtly enhance the flavors in the brew which can be accomplished with some minor, and simple, additions like brown sugar, a hint of vanilla, and a bit of coconut cream.

We’ll incorporate more of the pineapple flavors when enjoying this coffee cold, but for the hot selection, let us know what you think about this creamy, slightly sweet concoction.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces freshly brewed Lifeboost Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee
• 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can chilled coconut cream (roughly 14 ounces)

Instructions

• Place a can of coconut cream in the refrigerator overnight before using.
• Scoop hardened coconut cream out of the can, do not use the separated liquid that remains under the cream.
• Add hardened coconut cream to a medium sized bowl and beat with a mixer until soft peaks form.
• Once peaks form, add vanilla and 2 tablespoons light brown sugar to the cream, then mix with the mixer again until the sugar is fully incorporated and the cream begins to stiffen. Set aside.
• Brew coffee into your favorite mug.
• Stir in 2 teaspoons (or more if preferred) light brown sugar into the hot coffee, then top with a desired amount of the whipped coconut cream. (This may begin to dissolve and take a slightly different shape once it comes into contact with the hot coffee, but it should level out and leave a smooth layer of soft cream through which you can sip your brew.) Enjoy!

On Ice…

While the above brew is delicious, my personal favorite way to enjoy our Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee is cool, chilled, and poolside (of course)!

When you cold brew this selection, I feel like the slightly stronger brew just welcomes the pineapple infusion we’ll incorporate here, resulting in a tropical drink that seems to whisk you away to paradise.


Ingredients

• 8 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee
• 3 teaspoons pineapple simple syrup, divided (see recipe below)
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
• Ice

Instructions

• Add ice to a tall glass. Pour cold brew over ice.
• Add 2 teaspoons of pineapple simple syrup to the coffee, and stir to combine.
• Add 1 teaspoon pineapple simple syrup and the coconut milk to a blender, and blend on high until frothy. *Since coconut milk has a higher fat content than some dairy milks, I generally have trouble getting it to froth using an electric or handheld frother. This is why I prefer using a blender. In my experience, this always produces a nice foamy topping for my coffee. But, if aesthetics aren’t your thing, or you’re simply short on time, you can always just add the milk as-is to your brew.*
• Pour the frothy, sweetened, pineapple-infused cold foam on top of the coffee mixture, and enjoy!

Pineapple Simple Syrup

• ⅔ cup freshly diced pineapple (you can use the core here too)
• ¼ cup lemon or lime rind, diced
• ½ cup turbinado sugar

Add pineapple and citrus rind to a glass bowl. Top with sugar and stir to combine. Cover tightly, then let stand at room temperature for approximately 4 hours. Stir the mixture once every 45 minutes or so.

Once the sugar has completely dissolved, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a glass bowl, pressing and mashing the fruit with a spatula to extract as much juice as possible.

Discard scraps. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Must Be 21 To Enter…

Why not finish off these refreshing ways to enjoy this tasty coffee selection with a cocktail?

The combination of rum, pineapple, and coffee is great already, but when your coffee selection already boasts hints of buttery sweetness, velvety vanilla, and tropical pineapple, these flavors really take this drink to a whole new level.


Ingredients

• 4 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Pineapple Upside Down Cake Coffee
• 1 ounce coconut rum
• 1 ounce dark rum
• ½ ounce Kahlua
• 1 ounce pineapple juice
• Ice (for serving and shaking)

Instructions

• Add ice to a tall glass and set aside.
• Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake until the outside of the shaker becomes slightly frosted.
• Pour over ice, and enjoy!

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Flavored Coffee.

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.