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Banana Upside Down Cake First Image

Banana Upside Down Cake


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  • Author: Chef John
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This delicious Banana Upside Down Cake features a rich caramel topping and is perfect served warm or with vanilla ice cream.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
  • 2 tsp baking powder (sifted)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temp)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs (at room temp)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter (cut in small pieces)
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ripe bananas (peeled, strings removed, sliced diagonally 1/4 inch thick)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F (about 180º C). Place rack in the center of the oven. Grease a 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pan with three-inch (7 cm) sides with butter or a non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and the salt.
  3. In an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Then, beat in the vanilla extract.
  4. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again.
  5. Add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk in the following sequence: flour, milk, flour, milk, flour. Reserve.
  6. Prepare the topping: Place the butter, brown sugar, and spices in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until butter melts and the sugar has dissolved. Continue cooking for a few more minutes or until bubbles just start to form around the outside edges of the mixture.
  7. Remove from heat, add the vanilla, and stir into the greased cake pan. Evenly arrange the sliced bananas on top of the caramel.
  8. In a separate clean and dry stainless steel bowl, whisk the egg whites at low speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar.
  9. Beat at medium speed, increasing the speed gradually to high until the whites form a firm peak. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter with a large rubber spatula.
  10. Pour the batter into the caramel-and-banana lined cake pan. Smooth the top.
  11. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  12. Place on a wire rack to cool for approximately 10 minutes. Run a small metallic icing spatula or a sharp knife around the edge of the pan. Invert the banana upside down cake onto a serving plate.
  13. Serve warm by itself or with vanilla ice cream on top.

Notes

  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
  • For an added touch, garnish with chopped nuts or whipped cream when serving.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 28g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 44g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg