Brazilian Pineapple Dessert : Cooking With Bliss

Name: Brazilian Pineapple Dessert
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 fresh pineapple (fresh ripe pineapple (if not ripe, leave on your countertop for 1 or 2 days)); 1 TBSP brown sugar (maybe more depending on the size of your pineapple); 1/2 TBSP cinnamon

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Treat yourself to this warm Brazilian Pineapple Dessert. Fresh pineapple slices are coated with brown sugar and cinnamon, then baked until caramelized. This dessert is guaranteed to have you coming back for seconds.

It's a treat you can enjoy year-round, but it's even more irresistible during peak pineapple season, from March through July.

If you're entertaining a crowd or just want a refreshing sweet treat after a busy week, this dessert is a perfect choice. Whip it up after a casual weeknight dinner or for a weekend get-together with family and friends. From the tropical flavor of the pineapple to the warm caramelized texture, its sure to be a hit during the holiday or any other special occasion.

close-up of slices of brazilian pineapple on round wooden tray.

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Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Equipment
How to Pick a Pineapple
How to Make Brazilian Pineapple Dessert
Storage
Top Tips
FAQs
📖 Recipe

Ingredients

Let's talk ingredients - for this cinnamon pineapple dessert you only need:

Fresh pineapple
Brown sugar
Cinnamon

Ingredient Notes

When choosing your pineapple, stay away from those that appear REALLY brown and appear over-ripe.
If you plan on making the this dessert the same day, choose a pineapple that is green with yellow tones as shown in the photo above. This will have the perfect taste (slightly sweet) and with a fairly firm texture.
If you do not plan on making the pineapple the same day you purchase it, choose a green pineapple and when you get home, place it on your countertop to ripen over the next couple of days.
Keep in mind, that it doesn't take the pineapple too long to ripen on your countertop, the longer you allow it to sit, the outside appearance gets really brown and when you cut into it, the flesh becomes really yellow (almost translucent in some areas) and will be overly ripe. It can also sometimes smell like mildew.

Equipment

You do not need any fancy kitchen equipment. An oven-safe skillet, or baking sheet will do the job. If you opt for a baking sheet instead, line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

How to Pick a Pineapple

Here are a few tips for picking the right pineapple.

A fresh ripe pineapple should have healthy looking green leaves at the top of the pineapple with a greenish-yellow or golden exterior (also shown in the photo above).
It should have a fresh pineapple scent.
It should feel firm but with a little give to it when gently squeezed.
The heavier it feels, the juicer it tends to be.
The more ripe it is, the green leaves will come out easier when pulled.

How to Make Brazilian Pineapple Dessert

This dessert is surprisingly easy to make. No need for a grill just your kitchen oven set to 500 degrees F is all you need to make this mouthwatering beautiful caramelized sweet treat.

Prepare the cinnamon sugar dry rub and set aside.
Rinse the exterior of the pineapple under cool water.
Using a sharp knife, cut the top of the pineapple and about a half inch of the bottom of the pineapple.
Stand the pineapple upright and cut down the middle then cut each half lengthwise as shown in this photo.

Hold one of the pineapple sections upright
Using your knife, remove the sharp edge of the spine (it's the edge that is hard). Make sure that you do not remove the flesh of the pineapple.
Using your knife, remove the rind (the outer skin) without cutting too far into the flesh of the pineapple.
If needed, use your knife to shave off the brown prickly sections.
Repeat this process for each pineapple section.

Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar rub over each pineapple section.
Depending on the size of your pineapple you may not need to use all of the dry rub.

Place the pineapple sections on a baking sheet. You can line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Place them in a 500 degree preheated oven.
Roast for 5 minutes then remove from the oven.
Use a sharp knife to cut each section into ½ to 1 inch thick slices and serve warm.

close up of some of the sliced pineapple on round wooden tray.

Storage

To store leftovers, place the pineapple slices in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. These juicy, caramelized slices are just as great chilled, but if you prefer them warm, a quick zap in the microwave will bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Top Tips

Make sure your pineapple is perfectly ripe.
Be sure to slice the pineapple into even slices to ensure the slices are caramelized the same.
Feel free to serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Be sure that you do not overcook the pineapple, as it can become too soft.
When using a skillet, make sure it's an oven-safe skillet to prevent any unnecessary accidents.

FAQs

Can I make this dessert ahead?

Yes, you can make this Brazilian pineapple dessert ahead of time by 1) Cut it length-wise into 4 sections; 2) With a sharp knife cut away the spine of the pineapple from each section; 3) Remove the rind which is the tough outer skin of the pineapple; 4) Place it into an airtight container with a lid or a large ziploc storage baggie and store in the fridge; 5) Combine the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture in a separate airtight container with a lid or ziploc bag and store in your pantry until ready to use.

Is this dessert gluten free?

Yes, this Brazilian pineapple dessert is gluten free and only contains 3 ingredients.

How do I know when the pineapple has been caramelized enough?

Keep in mind that the pineapple shouldn't be cooked in the oven for too long as it can become too soft. It's better to undercook it than to over-cook it. Cooking it at 500 degrees F for 5 minutes will give you the right amount of caramelization. The pineapple will have a dark golden color with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

📖 Recipe