PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CHEESECAKE with CARAMEL SAUCE

Cheesecake Factory inspired Pineapple Upside-Down with CARAMEL SAUCE

Cheesecake Ingredients
Filling ingredients for Cheesecake (see recipe below)

3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice

For Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup butter, softened, plus 1/2 cup, melted
2 1/4 cups sugar
5 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons Malibu coconut or pineapple rum
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
Two 20-ounce cans pineapple slices in juice, drained well

Cheesecake Factory Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake Recipe

Make the Cheesecake Filling
  • Make the cheesecake filling as directed below.
  • Pour batter into the springform pan and slowly drizzle maraschino cherry juice on top; Use a knife to swirl cherry juice into the batter.
  • Cook the cheesecake according to the directions outlined in the original recipe.
  • Cover and place in the refrigerator to cool for 4 hours so.
Make the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit; Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and cover with flour.
  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and beat well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and rum and set aside.
  • Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture into the egg mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
  • Place ¾ cup brown sugar into each pan. Pour ¼ cup melted butter over the brown sugar. Arrange the pineapple slices over the brown sugar.
  • Pour equal amounts of batter over the pineapple and bake for about 40-45 minutes. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in center of the cakes comes out clean. #Remove cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto wire racks to cool completely.
Assembling the Cake
  • Place one layer of pineapple upside-down cake on a serving platter.
  • Carefully place the cheesecake layer on top of the pineapple upside-down cake and top with the second pineapple upside-down cake layer.
  • Cut cheesecake into slices and serve garnished with fresh whipped cream.

Original Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake Ingredients

Filling
2 pounds full-fat cream cheese, warmed to room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream, warmed to room temperature
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Heat the oven to 475 degrees
  • Set a large shallow pan or skillet filled with 1/2-inch of water into the oven. The cheesecake pan should be able to fit inside easily.
  • In a large bowl, mix the graham crackers, nuts, and cinnamon.
  • Slowly pour in the butter. Mix with hands to distribute butter evenly.
  • Wrap aluminum foil around the bottom of a greased, 9-inch springform pan (to prevent leakage from the water bath).
  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on low speed.
  • Gradually beat in the sugar, eggs, sour cream, flour, vanilla and lemon juice.
  • When mixture is blended, pour it into the springform pan.
  • Place the cheesecake pan into the water bath in the oven. 
CARAMEL SAUCE

1/2 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
3/4 cup sugar
2+ tablespoons water

  • Combine the cream and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Remove from the heat.
  • In a medium saucepan cook the corn syrup over a medium heat until bubbly. Fold in 1/4 cup of the sugar and continue to cook until the edges begin to turn a light amber color. Add in 1/4 cup sugar more and repeat until all the sugar is blended in. Continue cooking until amber color darkens stirring constantly.
  • Remove from the heat and carefully fold in the cream mixture.
  • Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until caramel is bubbling.
  • Serve warm.
  • Makes 1 1/2 cups. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
  • Microwave20-30 seconds to soften refrigerated caramel before serving.