Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

This cake was a hit at my early Brooklyn dinner parties, especially since I used to be pretty heavy-handed with the rum. Now that I serve the cake at dinners where there are kids, I tend not to include the booze. I addpureedpineapple to the batter, so it s super-moist and tartgy. Fresh pineapple gives this cake amazjrtgflavor, andjou can use the excess jruit for other delicious recipes such as the Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese—Lemon Zest Frosting 

1 organic pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into —inch rings (in a pinch, a 6 —ounce can of organic pineapple rings will do) 

2 teaspoons organic ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking powder 

Handful of dried sour cherries (less than Va cup), soaked in hot water for 20 minutes to plump, then drained Va cup chopped toasted organic pecans 

1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract 4 tablespoons rum (again, optional) 

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