Jackfruit Upside Down Cake

This jackfruit upside down cake replaces pineapples for a Filipino twist on a classic American dessert. 

Jackfruit is a popular and versatile fruit consumed throughout Asia, especially in the South and Southeast Asian countries.

Jackfruit is a heavy, giant spiked shelled fruit. It may be daunting to buy a fresh one because of its sheer massive size. Also, because opening the jackfruit can be a laborious process.

How do you open fresh jackfruit?

You’ll need a sharp knife and a neutral flavored oil (I prefer grapeseed oil). The inside flesh of jackfruit is super sticky. The knife (as well as your hands) needs to be oiled to make for easy cutting.

There are several ways to cut out the jackfruit flesh. Similar to how people have their preferences for peeling and slicing apples, you’ll have to find a method that works for you.

I suggest these videos for further detailed instructions: Sweet Simple Vegan’s how to cut a jackfruit and Wendi Phan’s how to open/eat a jackfruit.

As a child, I learned from watching my parents and relatives. I would pull up a stool in the kitchen and watch wide-eyed, waiting for them to give me pieces of the seeded jackfruit flesh.

NOTE: Keep the jackfruit seeds! Cooked jackfruit seeds tastes like a mixture of chestnuts and Brazil nuts. They’re delicious! 

Jackfruit Upside Down Cake

Jackfruit is finally having its moment in the spotlight.

With unripe jackfruit (young jackfruit) becoming a popular vegetarian “meat” substitute, jackfruit of all sorts (fresh, canned, dried) is more readily available.

Filipino desserts commonly use jackfruit. Halo-Halo (Filipino shave ice sundae) and turon (Filipino fried banana rolls) feature this delicious sweet fruit.

I’ve been eating jackfruit my entire life and I’m bummed it took me this long to realize the potential of jackfruit in baked goods. Where was jackfruit upside down cake during my childhood?!

Other fruits to use for upside down cake?

Upside down cake is commonly made with pineapples. Bananas, apples, and pears are also frequently used.

What do these fruits have in common? They all taste wonderful with caramel.

Caramel sauce (a cooked mixture of butter and sugar) lines the bottom of the cake pan. Fresh or canned jackfruit flesh is arranged on top.

Cake Batter

The fresh fruit is covered with a thick cake batter.

For best results, mix the cake batter using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer. I do not recommend mixing this by hand.

The recipe below uses canned coconut milk. This helps to add another dimension of tropical flavor. However, feel free to substitute in regular cow’s milk.

What does ripe jackfruit taste like?

The bright golden yellow fruit is soft and sweet. It tastes like mixture of banana, mango, and cantaloupe rolled into one bite.

Ripe jackfruit is very fragrant. If you have fresh jackfruit sitting in the kitchen (or chilling in the fridge), you will definitely smell it’s aroma.

If you’ve never had this tropical fruit, this jackfruit upside down cake is a great introduction. The sweetness of the jackfruit is intensified by the caramel sauce, while the cake mellows it out.