Grease a 7-inch round baking pan with vegan butter. Swirl it around to coat the bottom and the sides of the baking dish before sprinkling brown sugar.
Evenly spread brown sugar at the bottom of the pan.
Place one of the pineapple circles in the middle and nine half-circles around the edges. Add cherries to the center circle and the half circles.
Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Combine sugar, pineapple essence, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
Spoon in the flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beating on low speed until well combined.Tip — Buttermilk is acidic, which helps tenderize the gluten in the batter. This, in turn, makes the cake super soft and fluffy. Therefore, please do not replace the buttermilk as it also helps to raise the cake properly. Pineapple upside-down cake batter should be of a thick spoon drop consistency. Meaning the batter should drop off the spoon easily.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and gently fold in the cake batter.
Pour the cake batter over the arranged pineapple slices.
Even out the batter with a spoon. Bake the cake in a preheated oven for an hour or until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few crumbs attached.
Remove the cake from the oven and set it over the counter to cool. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 40 to 50 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the cake to loosen the band.
Carefully invert the cake onto a serving platter. To remove the bottom plate - Wait for 40-50 minutes, then run a knife around the bottom plate to make sure it is not stuck at the corners.
Carefully lift off the bottom tray; a delicious cake is waiting for you. You have a stunning pineapple cake infused with pineapple flavor and glistening citrus fruits that look so irresistibly inviting!
Take a bite out of it, and it will just melt in your mouth!