Pineapple upside down cake is a retro favourite that's stood the test of time for good reason. Moist, tangy and easy to make, it's a great make-ahead dessert served with ice cream or custard.

Let cake layers cool in baking pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove cakes from baking pans and let cool completely, parchment side down, on racks, 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours.

The final cake had to be moist, but not heavy, and pack considerable chocolate flavor without being overpowering. For that, I skipped melted chocolate in favor of cocoa powder.