Dole’s Original Pineapple Upside Down Cake from a 1925 recipe contest
is reimagined 100 years later for April 20’s National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day and Dole’s 125th Pineapple Anniversary Celebration

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 16, 2026) — One of Dole’s most iconic and downloaded recipes is getting a makeover in honor of National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day on April 20 and the company’s 125th anniversary of DOLE® Pineapples throughout 2026.

Dole’s Original Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe, the winner of a 1925 recipe contest sponsored by Dole Food Company, was updated by Dole years ago to include fresh DOLE® Pineapple, Bananas and Berries plus healthier replacements for the sour cream and butter. This fresh version, Dole Fresh Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, has been one of the company’s most-downloaded dishes for years along with recipes for Loaded Banana Bread and the original DIY Dole Whip®.

For Dole’s 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary, a five-month celebration which kicked-off earlier this month, Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, Dole’s manager of nutrition, wellness and communications, envisioned a new version of the classic dessert with more protein that can be frozen. “Consumers today are searching for more protein in their diets. Traditionally desserts lack that, however this frozen version of pineapple upside-down cake challenges that reality,” said Marcus. With 9 grams, 18% of total calories, this dessert is a good source of protein.”

Dole’s Protein-Packed Pineapple Upside-Down Icebox Cake features lowfat cottage cheese, honey, vanilla, Greek yogurt, graham crackers, fresh pineapple and dark cherries. The recipe will be introduced this summer.

“For many Americans, pineapple upside-down cake is the ultimate pineapple dessert so we thought it would be fun to reimagine this classic for a new generation,” she said.  “This frozen version becomes Dole’s third pineapple upside-down recipe along with the fresh version and our Pineapple Upside-Down Overnight Oats that you can enjoy for breakfast.”

The two current pineapple upside-down options are among ten classic and new recipes being featured during Dole’s 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary, which includes special events, serving suggestions, digital downloads, social content, partner promotions and commemorations marking the Quasquicentennial of Dole’s pineapple contribution to the world.

Dole started rolling out 125th anniversary activities this month in Charlotte and across the country leading up to an extended celebration in June coinciding with International Pineapple Day on June 27.

Other celebratory pineapple recipes featured during the Dole 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary include Tropical Ahi Poke Salad and Hawaiian Style Fried Cauliflower Rice.

Visit www.dole.com/125 for continually updated information on Dole 125th Pineapple Crowning Anniversary events and activities in Charlotte and nationally. Use hashtags #DolePineapples, #DolePineapples125, #PineapplesForTheFuture and #Fresh4Future to join in on the conversation.

About Dole Food Company
Dole Food Company, Inc., is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of high-quality produce. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education.

In addition to its 125th year of DOLE® Pineapple, 2026 marks the 175th anniversary of Dole Food Company which traces its roots back to the founding of Castle & Cooke in 1851. For more information, please visit www.dole.com.

Dole Fresh Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

A Dole Pineapple 125th Crowning Anniversary Recipe

created by 
Dole Food Company

Prep Time:  65 minutes
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk 
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 
  • 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, divided 
  • 4 slices DOLE® Tropical Gold® Pineapple, ¼-inch thick 
  • 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 
  • 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour 
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/3 cup buttery spread 
  • 1 ripe DOLE® Banana 
  • 2 egg whites 
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 
  • DOLE® Berries, such as raspberries or blackberries

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine almond milk and cider vinegar, set aside for 5 minutes.
  2. Line bottom of 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Spray parchment with cooking spray. Sprinkle parchment with 3 tablespoons brown sugar and arrange pineapple slices on top. Set aside.
  3. Combine flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together, set aside.
  4. Cream buttery spread with remaining brown sugar until smooth. Add the banana and continue creaming until smooth. Add the egg whites and vanilla extract. Alternate adding flour mixture and almond milk mixture, scraping the mixing bowl as needed. Transfer the batter to the cake pan, spreading it evenly.
  5. Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool for 20 minutes before flipping cake out onto a serving plate. Pull off the parchment paper. Place several berries into the center of each pineapple. Cool completely before serving.

Nutritional Facts  (See the full info here)

  • Serving Size:  96 grams
  • Calories:  70