Women have a complicated yet interesting relationship with food. While many of us are pushed to take up the role of a provider/cook for the household, it has often been the case that the same thing has empowered us. This International Women's Day, let's see how food has empowered women throughout history!

First things first, International Women's Day is celebrated annually on March 8th, is one of the most important days of the year. It is celebrated to honour women's accomplishments all around the world, increase awareness of women's equality, advocate for gender parity, and raise funds for female-focused charities. While women have a long journey ahead of them to receive complete equality, they have started to take things firmly into their own hands to uplift themselves!

Women have been the sole provider to not only their homes but to the outside world as well. From schools, old age shelters, colleges to charity centres, women prepare meals and also have been running the food systems in these organizations for a very long time. They are in charge of nourishment for thousands of people and have successfully aced the task ever since.  

Not only this, but food has empowered women in their own household kitchens. Families are dependent on women for their daily meals, which provides a certain power to them. This often leads to great businesses as well! Yes! we are talking about the giant saviours - The tiffin services! We can't remember how many times women-made meals have saved people from heartache when they are craving homemade food. 

Many times, this had led to emerging of new culinary legends! Food has been the saviour of many women and has also given them a way to share their talent with the whole world. Now, women are soaring through the culinary industry and bamboozling everyone in the paths! Now that we have talked about this, here is a recipe that will help you celebrate the women in your life! Nothing better than a seasonal women's day cake for the important women in your life!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake 

Ingredients

For the Topping:
¼ cup unsalted butter melted
½ cup light brown sugar (110g)
One 20-ounce can pineapple slices drained
Maraschino cherries stems removed

For the Cake:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp kosher salt
½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
2 large eggs room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
⅓ cup sour cream room temperature
⅓ cup whole milk room temperature (80mL)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F.

For the Topping:
1- Pour melted butter into a 9-inch round 2-inch-deep pie dish. Swirl to coat the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the bottom of the dish.
2- Pat pineapple slices with a towel to remove excess liquid. Place one slice in the center of the dish. Arrange 6 more around it. If you’d like, cut 3 more slices in half and arrange them around the sides of the dish. Place a cherry in each slice’s center and fill in any other gaps between slices.

For the women's day special cake:
1- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2- In a large liquid measure cup, whisk together sour cream and milk.
3- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter until creamy. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4- Add the eggs one at a time, beating until well combined before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla.
5- Beating on low speed, add a third of the flour, mixing just until combined. Add half of the sour cream mixture, beating just until combined. Continue alternating with the remaining flour and sour cream mixture.
6- Pour the batter into the pie dish and carefully spread to the edges of the pan.
7- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. You may want to cover with foil after 30 minutes if the cake is already golden brown.
8- Cool the cake on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Place a cake plate or stand over the top of the cake and carefully invert. Cool for another 20 minutes or completely before serving.

Your women's day theme cake is all ready!

For more women's day special food recipes, search the blog section of the Foodism website!