Pineapple Upside Down Cornbread

I love pineapple upside down cake and I love cornbread. I decided to combine the both and I found it to be so rich and heavenly.

• Ready In: 1 hr 35 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup  whole milk
• 1  cup  coarse ground cornmeal
• 4  ounces unsalted butter
• 8  ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1 cup
• 6  slices  canned  pineapple slices in syrup
• 6  maraschino cherries
• 1⁄3 cup  chopped pecans, toasted
• 3  tablespoons  juice from  canned pineapple
• 3  whole eggs
• 4 3⁄4 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 1 cup
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 5 3⁄4 ounces sugar, approximately 3/4 cup
• 1⁄2 cup canola oil

Directions

1. In a microwave-proof dish, bring the milk to a boil. Remove the milk from the microwave and add the cornmeal. Stir and let soak at room temperature for 30 minutes. Set aside.
2. Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and carefully place 1 slice of pineapple in the center of the pan. Place the other 5 slices around the center slice in a circle. Place the cherries in the centers of the pineapple slices and sprinkle the nuts evenly over the fruit. Drizzle pineapple juice over top.
3. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the sugar to the eggs and whisk to combine. Add the canola oil and whisk. Add the cornmeal and milk mixture to the egg mixture and whisk to combine. Add this to the flour and stir just until combined. Pour the batter over the fruit in the skillet and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 30 minutes in the skillet. Set a platter on top of the skillet and carefully invert the cake. Serve.