Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Drain…

  • 2 1/2 cups crushed pineapple (reserving 1/2 cup of juice)

In a 9-inch iron skillet, melt…

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Cover bottom of pan with…

  • 1/2 cup sugar (some people like using brown sugar)
  • pineapple from earlier

In medium bowl, sift…

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Using a stand-mixer, cream…

  • 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Add…

  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Beat until fluffy.

Alternately, add slowly and beat after each addition…

  • reserved juice
  • flour mixture

Spread into pan over crushed pineapple.

Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from pan. Let stand 5 minutes, then invert on to a plate. Remove skillet.