Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake Salad

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Pineapple upside down cheesecake salad is just as delicious as it sounds! Whip up this dessert in minutes with canned fruit and pantry staples.

titled collage for cheesecake fruit salad

Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake Salad

Candied pecans, pineapple chunks, and maraschino cherries are coated in a rich and creamy cheesecake mixture. It’s truly an irresistible combination of flavors!

If you can’t get enough of this dessert, I have plenty of other cheesecake salad recipes you can make.

My favorite cheesecake dessert salads have the flavors of peach cobbler, strawberry pretzel, and cherry pie!

In a pineapple mood? Try our Dried Pineapple Rings for a great snack!

You’ll especially love Millionaire salad, featuring the same combination of fruit and nuts, plus mini marshmallow and sweetened coconut flakes.

pineapple upside down cheesecake recipe ingredients on counter

Ingredient Notes

  • Soften the cream cheese. Unwrap the package and let it sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes before starting the recipe.

    If you’re short on time, place an unwrapped block on a microwave-safe plate and heat on High for 15 seconds.
  • Add extra powdered sugar. Because the cake mix isn’t very sweet, this recipe needs more sugar than those that include instant pudding.
  • Use fresh fruit instead. You may need to adjust the amount of sugar depending on the ripeness of the pineapple.
toasted pecans on baking sheet

Cheesecake Dessert Salad Tips

Want it to look like a traditional pineapple upside down cake?

Line the inside of a clear serving bowl with canned pineapple rings, then place a maraschino cherry in the center of each ring.

Nestle a smaller clear bowl into the larger one to hold the fruit in place, then transfer the cheesecake salad to the middle.

Or, you can carefully spoon the mixture directly on top of the fruit if you’ve got a patient and steady hand.

pineapple upside down cheesecake ingredient in bowl

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

bowl of cheesecake fruit salad

Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake Salad FAQ

How long will cheesecake salad recipe stay fresh

Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge. It should keep well for up to 3 days.

What else can I add to this dessert?

While the candied pecans create a caramelized sweetness, you can also drizzle on some caramel sauce.

It will eventually melt into the dessert, so I recommend keeping it on the side and drizzling over individual servings if you think you will have leftovers.

To make a quick homemade version, melt together ½ cup packed brown sugar and ¼ cup salted butter in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Then, remove from the heat and whisk in ½ cup heavy cream until silky and smooth. Allow it to cool completely before using.

How do I keep the fruit from sliding down the sides of the bowl?

First, start from the bottom and work your way up so each ring has something to rest against. I recommend placing one flat against the bottom of the bowl for extra support.

Reserve the juice from the canned pineapple and dip one side of each ring into the liquid.

Place the wet side against the side and hold it in place for a few seconds. The extra sugar should help it stick once it has some time to dry.

overhead: dessert salad made with canned fruit, cake mix and cream cheese

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter Pinterest | Instagram 


pineapple upside down cheesecake dessert salad

pineapple chunks, maraschino cherries, caramel sauce and pecans in cheesecake mixture

Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake Salad

Donna Elick
Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake Salad is an indulgent treat with the flavors of the classic cake. Our dessert salad recipe is SO easy!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 10 (makes 5 cups total)

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
  • 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup yellow cake mix, unprepared
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 15 ounce pineapple chunks, drained

Optional Garnishes

  • 16 ounce maraschino cherries, drained and blotted as dry as possible
  • 15 ounce pineapple rings, drained

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add brown sugar and butter. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between, until mixture is bubbling and sugar is dissolved into the butter. (this took 1 minute total in my microwave)
  • Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add the pecans and stir until fully coated.
  • Transfer the pecan mixture to the prepared sheet pan and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
  • Bake for approximately 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes while baking.
  • Remove candied pecans from the oven and stir to recoat with any of the sugar mixture that has spread onto the baking sheet. Allow pecans to cool completely.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and remaining teaspoon of vanilla extract until fluffy.
  • Add cake mix and continue beating (mixture will be slightly dry).
  • With the mixer (or hand beater) running on low speed, slowly drizzle the heavy whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture. Beat well between the addition of small amounts (add only a couple tablespoons at a time).
  • Add powdered sugar to the cheesecake mixture and continue beating until fully combined.
  • Add pineapple chunks, maraschino cherries, and candied pecans and fold in gently to combine.
  • If desired, place pineapple rings around the edges of a clear glass serving bowl. If needed, place a small bowl in the bottom of the serving bowl to help hold the pineapple rings in place. Set a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.
  • Transfer cheesecake salad mixture to the serving bowl.

Donna’s Notes

Cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5 cup | Calories: 563cal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 175mg | Sugar: 41g | Fiber: 2g | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled collage for cheesecake salad recipe

Originally published July 2021. Republished June 2022.

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for your support; it allows us to keep creating new recipes.

The Simple Kitchen cookbook affiliate linked banner

7 Comments

  1. can NOT wait to make this salad, as I love ALL the ingredients going into it….now I just need to go get me some Pineapple Chunks and Slices and Cherries and I will be all set to go ! Lol

  2. 5 stars
    Calling this a salad helps me think I’m being healthy. There’s fruit, that’s healthy right? This was absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to make it again.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating