Flip-Over Banana Bliss: A Sunshine Cake Recipe

Decadent aromas waft through the kitchen as this banana upside down cake recipe promises pure comfort and delight.

Sweet caramelized bananas create a golden, glistening topping that elevates every single bite.

Ripe, tender bananas bring a luxurious moisture to this classic dessert that melts in your mouth.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of rich, buttery cake and soft, caramelized fruit.

The combination of warm spices and sweet bananas makes this dessert irresistibly tempting.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet stunning treat that turns ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Let’s find out this delightful recipe and treat yourself to a slice of pure happiness.

Tools That Help Bake Banana Upside Down Cake

• 9-inch round cake pan: Essential for creating the perfect upside-down cake shape and size.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for combining cake batter ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry and wet ingredients without lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and scrape bowl sides.
• Cooling rack: Allows cake to cool properly after baking.
• Sharp knife: Useful for slicing bananas into uniform pieces.
• Oven mitts: Protects hands when handling hot pan and cake.

Steps for Making Banana Upside Down Cake Easily

• Caramelized Base

Create a rich golden layer at the bottom of the cake pan by spreading brown sugar and melting butter. This foundation will transform into a delicious sticky coating when the cake is flipped.

• Banana Arrangement

Layer ripe banana slices in a beautiful pattern across the caramelized surface. Choose bananas that are soft and slightly speckled for maximum sweetness and depth of flavor.

• Batter Creation

Blend together a smooth cake mixture that will complement the caramel and banana layers. Combine ingredients gently to ensure a light, tender texture that will rise beautifully in the oven.

• Baking Journey

Place the cake in a preheated oven and allow it to transform. The initial high temperature helps create a golden crust, while the later lower temperature ensures even cooking throughout the cake.

• Finishing Touch

Once cooled, carefully invert the cake to reveal the stunning caramelized banana topping. For an extra touch of decadence, drizzle with a silky caramel glaze that will make this dessert absolutely irresistible.

Tips for Perfecting Banana Cake and Topping

• Create a deeper caramel flavor by using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar for a richer, more intense coating.
• Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes or chopped macadamia nuts over the top after inverting the cake for extra crunch and island-inspired taste.
• Add a splash of rum or vanilla extract to the batter to enhance the banana's natural sweetness and create more depth in the cake's overall profile.
• Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Warm slightly before serving to restore the cake's soft texture and bring out the caramel notes.

Presenting Banana Upside Down Cake Nicely

• Tropical Brunch Delight: Serve warm slices alongside fresh tropical fruits like mango and pineapple for a vibrant morning feast that celebrates island-inspired flavors.
• Cozy Afternoon Treat: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a sprinkle of toasted coconut for a luxurious dessert that melts in your mouth.
• Coffee Companion: Enjoy this cake with a steaming mug of rich espresso or creamy latte, letting the caramel notes complement the robust coffee flavors perfectly.
• Picnic Perfect Dessert: Pack individual slices in parchment paper for a delightful outdoor treat that travels well and brings a touch of homemade sweetness to any gathering.

Storing Banana Cake Without Losing Moisture

• Fridge Fresh Technique: Store your banana upside down cake in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring delicious treats are ready anytime you crave a sweet moment.
• Counter Cool Down: If enjoying within 2 days, keep cake at room temperature covered with a clean kitchen towel. Room temperature storage helps retain the cake's soft texture and rich caramel notes.
• Serving Smart Tip: Warm cake slices briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving to revive the soft, moist texture and enhance the caramelized banana flavor. Drizzle extra caramel sauce for a decadent touch.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 70 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 203 kcal

Servings: 9

Banana Upside Down Cake Ingredient Breakdown

• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and silky texture to create a luxurious caramel layer that clings perfectly to the bananas.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create a glossy, amber-colored caramel topping.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides smooth, velvety foundation for the caramel and prevents burning while enhancing flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the complex caramel notes, creating a more rounded taste experience.

• Bananas: Ripe, soft bananas bring natural sweetness, creamy texture, and a tropical essence to the cake.

• Eggs: Will help bind the cake ingredients and create a light, tender crumb.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and ensures the cake holds its shape with a soft, delicate texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise evenly and creates a soft, airy consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the cake's tender texture and golden color.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic undertones that complement the banana's natural flavor.

Irresistible Banana Upside Down Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Moist banana upside down cake showcases caramelized fruit atop a tender, golden crumb. Rich flavors from brown sugar and ripe bananas create a delightful dessert you’ll savor with each sweet, indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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• 4 tbsps (57 grams) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
• 4 bananas (ripe)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously brush a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Sugar Foundation: Distribute brown sugar across the buttered pan bottom, crafting an even caramelized layer that will transform into a rich, glossy topping.
3. Banana Arrangement: Position banana slices in an elegant, overlapping pattern directly atop the brown sugar, creating a visually appealing and flavorful base.
4. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Blend flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon in a mixing bowl, whisking vigorously to eliminate potential clumps and ensure uniform distribution.
5. Batter Creation: Fold softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk into the dry mixture, stirring until a silky, homogeneous batter emerges with a smooth, consistent texture.
6. Layering and Baking: Delicately pour the batter over the banana-lined pan, using a spatula to spread evenly without disrupting the intricate banana design, then transfer to the preheated oven.
7. Cake Completion: Bake for 55-60 minutes until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out pristine and the surface achieves a golden-brown radiance, signaling perfect doneness.
8. Cooling and Presentation: After removing from the oven, let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes to allow the caramelized sugar to slightly set, then confidently invert onto a serving plate, revealing the glistening banana-sugar masterpiece.
9. Optional Enhancement: For an extra decadent touch, drizzle with homemade caramel sauce, elevating the dessert’s richness and visual appeal before serving warm or at ambient temperature.

Notes

• Banana Selection: Choose ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper caramelization during baking.
• Even Banana Layer: Slice bananas uniformly to ensure consistent coverage and attractive presentation when inverted.
• Caramelization Tip: Brown sugar creates a rich, sticky glaze that transforms during baking, enhancing the cake’s flavor profile.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for smoother batter and better cake texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 70 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 203
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 28 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg