Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Melt 1/4 cup butter and pour into a 9-inch round cake pan, tilting the pan to evenly coat the bottom. Arrange pineapple slices in the pan, and add some cherries in the bottoms, if desired. overlapping slightly.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom.
In a bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the remaining 1/4 cup butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the sour cream and beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
Pour batter over pineapple slices in the pan and smooth top with a spatula.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edges of the cake to loosen it from the pan and invert it onto a serving platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.