These Pineapple Upside Down Cake Foil Packets are an old-fashioned favorite made easier with a shortcake dessert shell and then prepared into foil packets for a fun camping treat!
Camping fantasy: hike, fish, swim, skip stones, search for the perfect walking stick, star gaze, play flashlight tag, build a campfire, cuddle up and fall asleep listening to crickets.
Camping reality: swat bugs away, search for the first aid kit, wish you had a real bathroom, wake up with a back ache, dream about a shower.
HA. Well, really it’s all of those things.
I think my younger body still wants to go every year. But my older body is like “you’re kidding me, right?”
We always do the typical hot dogs and s’mores, but this year I’m all about foil packet recipes. They’re so easy to pack, prepare, and cook.
I gave this Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe a trial run. Four times. Obsessed!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Ingredients
You only need a few simple items:
- Brown sugar
- Unsalted Butter
- Pineapple ring (fresh or canned)
- Maraschino cherries
- Shortcake dessert shell (the kind used for Strawberry Shortcake, usually found near the fresh strawberries) OR a glazed donut would be delish!
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving.
Can I bake them instead of using a grill?
Yep! Just follow the same steps in the recipe card below, but bake in a 450 degrees F oven instead.
Other grilled recipes perfect for camping!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Video
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Foil Packets
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 whole pineapple ring
- 1 whole maraschino cherry
- 1 whole shortcake dessert shell
- vanilla ice cream for serving , optional
Instructions
- Tear off a 12×12-inch square of nonstick aluminum foil.
- Mound the brown sugar and butter in the center, followed by the pineapple slice and maraschino cherry. Top with the dessert shell, flat side up.
- Fold in the sides of the foil and seal to form the packet.
- Grill for 12-13 minutes over medium-high heat.
- To serve, flip the cakes over. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Other Notes
Has anyone made these with a splash of vanilla rum? Wondering if it’s safe to cook in the foil over the campfire.
I am making these for a family campout – probably 2 doz or so. Has anyone made these in a dutch camp oven – cast iron dutch oven with legs and concave lid? I think this would make it easier for so many packets.
I was wondering what are “Shortbread Dessert Shells” and after reading through the comments I believe they are the “Sponge Cake Dessert Shells”. Is this correct? Is this what you used in your recipe? I live all things pineapple and want to try this. I just need to be sure “Spongecake” will work because that’s quite different from Shirtbread.
Thanks!
Hi Nancy – it says shortcake, not shortbread…which would also be very different! Yes, they’re the spongecake dessert shells.
I just made this little goodie and it is tasty. I baked salmon in the oven and thought what a great time to try these. Turned out good and very quick to put together. I almost think next time I will double the sugar and pineapple to make a larger serving. Ice cream on top is a home run. Thanks for sharing!
Looks great and would love to try it camping this weekend. I am assuming that since it is a camping recipe it is prepped made ahead of time? How far in advance have you made it. Im wondering if the sponge cake gets crazy soggy from the moisture of the pineapple slice.
Hey Chris – I’ve never made this in advance.
If baking in the oven, do you need to cover the baking dish with foil?
Yes. This will create the steam which allows it to cook, but not dry out. You’ll also need to coat the pan with non stick spray.
We are camping this weekend and this would be great! Will let you know how it goes over!!!
Can these be made in a baking dish
Sure. Make sure it’s coated with nonstick spray, though. Enjoy!
Very clever!
what is a dessert shell ?
They’re sponge cakes, usually found near the strawberries, but sometimes in the bread aisle or bakery department. Most people use them to make Strawberry Shortcake. If you Google it, a bunch of images will come up.
This looks delicious! How long in the oven? Thanks!
Hi Carol – same amount of time as on the grill. Enjoy!