Pineapple Upside Down Cake

I think this is on Bill's (my husband) top five list of cakes. It always looks good to the eye, it's delicious, it's moist, and super easy to make.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE 

(serves 12)

Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter

*1 1/2 cups brown sugar

*1 fresh pineapple, cut into rings (you won't use it all)

*10 maraschino cherries

*1 cup walnuts, chopped

*2 1/3 cups flour

*1 tablespoon baking powder

*3/4 teaspoon salt

*1 1/2 cup shortening

*2 eggs

*1 cup milk

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Melt butter in the microwave.

~Pour melted butter into a 9X13 inch-baking pan.

~Remove from the heat and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly to cover the butter.

~Next, arrange pineapple rings around the bottom of the pan, on layer deep.

~Place a maraschino cherry into the center of each pineapple ring.

~Sprinkle walnuts over pineapples and cherries.

~In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

~Cut in shortening until fine crumbs are formed.

~Add eggs, milk and vanilla.

~Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.

~Pour batter on top of pineapple, cherries, & nuts.

~Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.

~Cool for 10 minutes, then carefully turn out onto a plate.

~Do not let the cake cool to much or it will stick to the pan.

Variations:

`cut the pineapple into chunks and drop randomly over melted butter.

`use a yellow boxed cake mix and mix as directed, pour over pineapple, cherries, & nuts. Bake as directed on box.

`put into a 10 inch round pan.

Helpful Hint: I always place the pan on a cookie sheet, in case the butter & sugar boil over. No mess in your oven that way.