Healthy Pineapple Upside Down Cake

in 2018, i’m partnering with pompeian to bring you the latest recipes that are currently #trendinginthekitchen with this year’s trendy ingredients and their olive oils and vinegars. thank you for supporting the partnerships that allow brewing happiness to grow and exist. xoxo.

This *might* be my favorite cake I’ve ever made. (Shhh, don’t tell the others.) The cake itself is the fluffiest and most moist yellow cake you’ve ever had. Why? Well because it’s made with greek yogurt, Pompeian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and sweetened with honey. That’s right. It’s basically a health food.

And the pineapple layer? Well that’s just coconut sugar, a little bit of butter, and pineapple. Indulgent, gooey, but not overly sweet.

So there’s no refined sugar in sight. There’s loads of protein and healthy fats, and there’s actual fruit. I’d call that a healthy cake. Or as close as any cake can get to being healthy.

Plus it’s super easy to make and will please every crowd. If I’m being honest, it’s a good weekday cake. Bake it on a night you want something sweet, and then you can eat pieces of it whenever you have a craving for the rest of the week. Or bring it to a picnic or potluck and blow everyone away.

The recipe itself is adapted from my Pumpkin Chia Olive Oil Cake, so if you aren’t into pineapple, you can try that version instead. Mostly, I just want you to have a healthy cake in your life. Because cake and health are equally important if you ask me. xo.

More healthy(ish) cake recipes: Healthy Angel Food Cake + Healthyish Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Healthy Chocolate Cake + Flourless Coconut Quinoa Cake

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Healthy Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This fluffy and moist Healthy Pineapple Upside Down Cake is made with greek yogurt, olive oil, and honey. The perfect healthyish treat! 

Course Dessert, Sweet, Sweet Thangs

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 1 cake

Author Brewing Happiness

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1 can pineapple slices, drained
• 1 cup full-fat greek yogurt
• 2/3 cup Pompeian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix your melted butter, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and ginger together in a small bowl. Evenly spread the sugar mixture over the bottom of an ungreased 11x7.5-inch pan, 9x13-inch pan, or 9-inch square or round pan. Arrange pineapple slices on top of the sugar mixture.

3. In a large bowl whisk together your full-fat greek yogurt, Pompeian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, honey and vanilla extract until smooth. 

4. Add in your eggs one at a time, whisking in between until each is well combined. 

5. Add in your all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir just until combined, not until smooth. Don't over mix! 

6. Pour batter over your pineapple-lined baking pan. Smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 

7. Loosen sides of cake from pan with a knife. Invert cake onto serving platter; let stand 5 minutes. Then remove the pan. Allow to cool completely on the serving platter.
   

8. Slice and EAT UP. 

I recently had someone I’m very close with use the word “fat” in a derogatory manner. They weren’t talking about me, but it didn’t matter. The word is triggering for me. It takes me back to an unhealthy place and space in my mind. It’s dangerous for me. I find the word harmful and unnecessary.

I find most words pertaining to the shape of bodies harmful and unnecessary. Skinny. Fat. Thin. Curvy. Overweight. I don’t need them. My brain doesn’t handle them well. Those are the kind of words that will make me feel guilty for my Healthy Pineapple Upside Down Cake. They take the joy out of food. They control my life if they go unchecked. That’s just the truth of my brain. I’d venture to guess that there are many others out there with brains like mine.

To combat this I ask the people I’m close with to never comment on my body. I don’t need to know if I look “skinnier” or “thin” or whatever. My brain won’t do healthy things with those comments, even if you mean well.

So I’ve learned over the years to protect myself from such talk by setting boundaries. Healthy boundaries. Sometimes those boundaries need to be reinforced with people. Most people who make these comments simply don’t understand how difficult it is to traverse this world while healing from body image issues or disordered eating.

In this most recent example, I had to make my boundary clear. I ask that person to not use the word “fat” in my presence. ever. I am simply not equipped to handle that vernacular. They respected that and adapted their language.

Now, I may have to remind this person and other people of this fact, constantly – for the rest of my life. But that’s okay. Because my mental health is worth the vulnerability and confrontation it takes to set a boundary. Boundary setting can be terrifying. Confronting anyone is scary, but especially when it requires you admitting a personal weakness. But it is necessary for a healthy existence in this world.

Here’s a little guidebook for how to set a healthy boundary with someone:

1. Talk about your personal experience, use emotional language. You never want to attack someone or admonish them for doing something “wrong.” Because they probably didn’t perceive it as wrong. So approach the subject with how that word or experience made you feel. People can’t argue with your experience. It is objectively true because it is your own.
2. Set a clear boundary. Don’t say “can you try” or forget to address any future experiences. Instead, say, “please don’t ever say (insert word or phrase here) around me again.” And then explain (again) why it’s harmful.
3. Be willing to hear their side. Most of the time people don’t mean to offend you. So hear their side of it, and if offered – accept the apology with open arms. No need to hold it against them.
4. Be willing to draw a line in the sand or walk away. Over time, if someone ignores to your boundary and refuses to respect it, make it clear that it isn’t okay. You are allowed to say, “if you choose not to respect this boundary, I will have to limit our time together in order to protect myself.” You are allow to protect your heart and mind.

Obviously these guidelines don’t cover every situation you’ll encounter, but I bet they can help you navigate a few situations you’ve been avoiding. Protecting you mental health is of the upmost importance. There’s no need to be harmed by the words of others, especially if you can avoid it.

Healthy boundaries create healthier relationships. Healthy boundaries create a healthier you. xo.