Pineapple-Lime Impossible Cake

This version of an Impossible-style Cake has distinct layers of pineapple cake and lime flan, that magically separate while baking. The pineapple caramel topping is essential--and made after the cake has cooled--so be sure not to skip it. While this may not be traditional in flavor or cooking method for an Impossible Cake, it's definitely a delicious variation and well worth the extra effort. Prepare ahead: this needs to cool at least 4-8 hours.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr
• Calories: 369 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon grated lime zest
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons lime zest
• 1 (12 ounce) can fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple slices in juice, undrained
• 4 tart cherries (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 10-inch fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®).

Step 2

Combine condensed milk, evaporated milk, lime juice, eggs, lime zest, salt, and vanilla extract for flan in a large bowl; whisk until thoroughly combined. Pour mixture into the prepared pan.

Step 3

Remove 4 pineapple slices and 1/2 cup pineapple juice from the can of pineapple. Cover and place in the refrigerator to reserve for the caramel topping.

Step 4

Place remaining pineapple slices and juice in the bowl of a food processor; blend until smooth. This should result in approximately 1 1/4 cups pureed pineapple.

Step 5

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a small bowl until combined.

Step 6

Cream sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Add 1/2 of the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Stir in 1/2 of the pineapple puree until just combined. Continue adding dry ingredients alternately with pineapple puree, mixing until just combined. Place large spoonfuls of cake batter over the flan layer as evenly as possible; don't worry if they mix, they will separate during baking. Cover the Bundt® pan tightly with lightly greased aluminum foil and place it into a large roasting pan.

Step 7

Place in the preheated oven and fill the roasting pan with enough water to come 1/3 of the way up the sides of the Bundt® pan, or at least 1 inch deep. Bake in the hot water bath until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 1/2 hours.

Step 8

Remove from the water bath, remove aluminum foil, and allow cake to cool in the pan for 1 hour. Carefully run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a serving plate or platter and allow to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Loosely cover cake and place into the refrigerator for 4 hours to overnight.

Step 9

Shortly before you are ready to serve the cake, combine butter and brown sugar for caramel topping in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring often, until bubbling and sugar has melted, about 2 minutes. Pour in reserved 1/2 cup pineapple juice; cook and stir until mixture is bubbling and thoroughly combined, about 2 minutes. Add reserved pineapple slices and cook, stirring the sauce frequently, about 3 minutes. Flip pineapple slices over; cook and stir until sauce has thickened and turned a slightly deeper golden brown color, about 3 minutes more.

Step 10

Quickly and carefully place the pineapple slices on top of the cooled cake. Spoon caramel sauce over top of the pineapple slices and cake. Garnish with lime zest and cherries.