Keto Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes – a low-carb version of your favorite cake in cupcake form. Made with a delicious buttery cake, pineapple, and complete with a cherry on top!
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If you close your eyes while eating these Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes, you might just begin to hear the sweet sounds of a ukulele playing in the background. Something about the flavor of sweet pineapple and cherries, makes me feel like I am sitting on a tropical beach somewhere, completely carefree. It's like a vacation all wrapped up in one little cake.
These keto cupcakes are perfect to serve at summer parties and barbecues alongside your favorite grilled kabobs, burgers, salads, or your other delicious low-carb desserts!
Ingredients and Substitutions
I wasn't really sure how to make this cake low carb since pineapple and cherries pack a pretty big carb punch from all the natural sugar. Luckily, I found that by using fresh pineapple and subbing frozen cherries for the sugar-laden maraschinos, I was able to get a TON of flavor with far fewer carbs.
- Pineapple - Best to stick with fresh or frozen pineapple. This allows you to get more flavor while using less fruit.
- Brown Sugar Substitute - I have made this recipe with Swerve brown sugar substitute, Sukrin Gold, and Lakanto Golden (affiliate). My favorite is Lakanto Golden. The texture isn't similar to real brown sugar, but I find it has the best flavor.
- Cherries - Be sure to use fresh or frozen pitted sweet cherries. Maraschino cherries have lots of added sugar which won't work well for low-carb or keto macros.
- Almond Flour - For nut-free I suggest swapping the almond flour with sunflower seed flour (affiliate) it swaps evenly and has a taste and texture most similar to almond flour. If you prefer to use coconut flour I suggest following this recipe instead.
- Vanilla Whey Protein Powder - I use Isopure (affiliate) which has zero carbs, but any brand you like should work fine.
- Butter, Salt, Baking Powder, and Vanilla Extract
- Unsweetened Almond Milk - Any milk or milk alternative will also work
- Optional - Pineapple Flavoring will increase the pineapple flavor in the cupcakes without adding any additional carbs,
Tips
- The first and most important step for getting the most pineapple flavor is to simmer the pineapple in butter. You will want to be careful that you don't let it get too hot though or the butter will burn.
- Don't be too worried if the butter separates from the pineapple sauce. The butter is holding on to all that delicious pineapple flavor and it will just soak right into the cake as it bakes.
- Skip the cupcake liners for this recipe. You will want to serve these cupcakes upside down and liners will ruin your presentation. Just be sure to thoroughly spray the muffin tin with nonstick spray. The butter in the pineapple sauce will also help to prevent sticking.
- Adding the whey protein with the almond flour gives this cake an amazing texture that should be just like a traditional cake. In a pinch, you can leave out the protein powder but be aware that the texture will suffer some.
- I find that keto cakes typically are best when baked at a low temperature for a bit longer as compared to the standard cake. The batter is denser and needs extra time to rise properly. If you bake it too quickly, it will still be delicious but the cake will be dense.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool fully before removing from the pan. If some of the pineapple sticks, just remove it with a spoon and spread it back onto the cupcake.
I also opted to make these into cupcakes instead of a traditional full-size cake. This makes sticking to one serving SO much easier. You could easily bake this in a 9" cake pan if you would rather have a traditional cake.
FAQs
These cupcakes are best stored in the fridge or freezer. Just be aware that after they are chilled the erythritol will recrystallize slightly so it's best to let them come to room temp or heat them up in the microwave for a few seconds before eating.
Pineapple freezes really well. If you use fresh pineapple, simply pop it in a freezer-safe container until the next time you need a small amount.
You can also try some of these other low-carb recipes that use pineapple:
Keto Hummingbird Cake from I Breathe I'm Hungry
Low Carb Bacon Pineapple Shrimp Skewers from the Bulletproof Blog
Taiwanese Inspired Low Carb Pineapple Cake Cookies from Low Carbing Asian
Be sure to check out these other great recipes:
- Churro Cupcakes | Keto, Gluten Free
- Keto Snoball Cakes
- Low Carb Apple Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting
- Keto Coconut Chip Ice Cream
- Keto No Bake Creamsicle Cheesecake
📖 Recipe
Keto Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ Cup Pineapple Fresh or Frozen
- ¾ cup Unsalted Butter divided
- ½ cup Brown Sugar Substitute + 3 tablespoon (divided)
- 6 Cherries Fresh or frozen, pitted and sliced in half
- 1 ¼ cups Almond Flour
- ¼ cup Vanilla Low Carb Protein Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 3 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- ¼ teaspoon Pineapple Flavoring Optional
Instructions
- Begin by placing the pineapple, along with 4 tablespoon of butter and 3 tablespoon of the brown sugar substitute into a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, stirring frequently. Continue allowing this mixture to simmer while you prepare the cake.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and prepare a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, whey protein, salt, and baking powder, stirring to combine. Set the mixture aside
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the butter, vanilla, pineapple flavoring, and remaining brown sugar substitute. Beat with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and almond milk and beat again until well integrated.
- Working in batches, add the dry ingredients with the wet, mixing after each addition until you have a smooth, creamy batter.
- Remove the butter and pineapple mixture from the heat, and using a fork or potato masher, mash up the pineapple.
- Place one cherry half into the bottom of each muffin cup, Then evenly distribute the pineapple mixture between all the muffin cups. (about 1 tablespoon of pineapple per cup)
- Top this with the cake batter, being careful not to overfill. (I used about ¼ cup of batter per cupcake.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow them to cool before removing them from the muffin pan.
Be sure to read the entire post for tips, tricks, and help troubleshooting.
The nutrition information listed here is only an estimate and is simply provided as a courtesy. It nor any other information within this post should constitute medical or nutritional advice. Be sure to read all packaging and ingredient labels for potential allergens. Optional ingredients are not included unless otherwise specified.
Louise says
Thanks so much for this recipe. I made it today and it is delicious! Will definitely be repeating this one!
Debbi Parmer says
They are delicious!!
Sabra says
Thanks Debbi! I'm so happy you enjoyed them 🙂
Vanny says
How is this keto? Doesn't pineapple have a ton of sugar?
Sabra says
Pineapple does have a lot of sugar, but by simmering it in the butter and mashing it up, you are able to use less then 1 tbsp of pineapple per cupcake while still getting a ton of the delicious flavor. There are only 3.6 TOTAL carbs per cupcake (this includes the sugar from the pineapple but not the sugar alcohols)
If you are opposed to using pineapple, then you could use a little pineapple extract instead.
Kelly says
Hi, if I use just the pineapple extract, how much should I use? and can I use coconut or hemp milk instead of the almond milk?.
Sabra says
Hi Kelly! I would start with about 1 1/2 tsp and then add more to taste! Hope that helps 🙂
Wanda Otto says
The recipe above said each cupcake is 15 carbs? which is right?
Wanda says
Sorry. I just read more carefully.
Wendy says
Thank you, tried this recipe and definitely will make these again. Simply delicious !
Sabra says
So glad that you enjoyed it!
Christina says
Did anyone make it withoutthe whey protein? Don't have that and don't want to purchase for one recipe. I was wondering if I can substitute it for more almond flout or coconut flour?
Sabra says
Hi Christina! Try adding in about 1 tbsp of coconut flour and 1/2 tsp of vanilla in place of the protein powder. Hope that helps!
Mimi Paula B says
I am making this tomorrow for my husband's birthday. It is his favorite cake and since we began low carb living together he hasn't had it in years. He will be too excited! I have everything exactly as the recipe calls. Will return to give feedback soon!
Sabra says
Happy Birthday to your husband!
Mony says
Are there any dairy free substitutions for the heavy whipping cream?
Jon says
Thank you ... tried this today, and it came out very well! Yummy!
Mariangela says
Hi! I was wondering if I can replace the butter with something else? I’m actually not on a keto diet I just simply prefer cakes made with almond flour but can’t afford all the calories in the butter! Can I use something else that is not coconut oil which would make the cake taste a lot like coconut
Sabra says
Hi Mariangela! I personally would keep the butter in the pineapple mixture since it adds so much flavor to the finished product, but you could try substituting the butter that goes into the cake with unsweetened applesauce, plain Greek yogurt, or mayonnaise. Also, Nutiva makes a great butter flavored coconut oil that would also work perfectly.
I hope this helps and I would love to hear what you end up using and how it turns out 😊
Jessica says
These were so good! Thank you. It’s always risky trying new recipes but I will definitely use this one from now on.
Cristina says
Hi there! This looks so yummy & moist! My sis requested pineapple upside down cake with flour for her birthday she has some issues with flour. I wanted to know if I can make this in a Bundt pan or squared pan? Please inform & thank you.
Mary Beth says
These are just delicious! Would I be able to substitute anything for the unsweetened almond milk? I usually waste so much of it because I only use a quarter cup for this recipe and then I don't use it for anything else