The Sweetest Banana Upside Down Cake Recipe Ever Made

Sweet, caramelized bananas create a luscious layer in this delectable banana upside down cake that promises pure indulgence.

Golden brown edges peek through a soft, tender crumb waiting to be devoured.

Ripe bananas nestled in a rich, buttery caramel make this dessert irresistibly mouthwatering.

The aroma of warm spices and caramelized fruit will fill your kitchen with comfort and joy.

Each slice offers a perfect balance of sweetness and depth, turning an ordinary dessert into something extraordinary.

Simple ingredients blend effortlessly to produce a stunning cake that looks as incredible as it tastes.

You’ll want to slice into this stunning treat and savor every decadent bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 60-70 minutes

Total Time: 75-85 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 9

Banana Upside Down Cake Ingredient Checklist

• Brown Sugar: Provides rich, molasses-like sweetness that caramelizes beautifully and creates a stunning golden base for the cake.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps create a silky, smooth caramel layer that binds the topping ingredients and adds luxurious depth.
• Bananas: Select ripe, firm bananas with minimal bruising to ensure beautiful, even coverage and maximum flavor intensity.

• Unsalted Butter: Softens the cake's texture and provides essential richness and tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, airy cake structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic notes.
• Greek Yogurt, Sour Cream: Delivers moisture and creates a tangy, tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, helping the cake rise and maintain shape.
• Overripe Bananas: Intensify natural sweetness and contribute to the cake's soft, moist consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour, Whole Wheat Flour: Provide protein and structure, creating a nuanced, hearty texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Act as leavening agents, helping the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor profiles.
• Ground Cinnamon: Introduces warm, comforting spice that complements banana's natural sweetness.

• Brown Sugar: Creates deep, caramelized flavor with rich molasses undertones.

Tools for Baking Banana Upside Down Cake

• Mixing Bowls: Large set with different sizes for dry and wet ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for flour, sugar, and spices.
• 8×8 or 9-inch Cake Pan: Greased and ready for baking the upside-down cake.
• Spatula: Smooth batter evenly and help mix ingredients.
• Knife: Loosen cake edges before inverting.
• Saucepan: Prepare caramel glaze with precise heat control.
• Wooden Spoon or Whisk: Stir caramel glaze ingredients.
• Serving Plate: Large enough to catch inverted cake.
• Toothpick: Test cake doneness by inserting in center.

Step-by-Step Guide for Banana Upside Down Cake

Banana Caramel Delight

• Oven Warmup

Crank the oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab a square or round cake pan and give it a quick butter massage so nothing sticks.

• Sugary Banana Base

Sprinkle brown sugar across the pan’s bottom. Melt some butter and swirl it around to create a golden landscape. Slice bananas into elegant curves and nestle them into this sweet foundation.

• Batter Magic

Whisk together flour, a dash of baking powder, and a whisper of cinnamon. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Add eggs one by one, then fold in mashed bananas and yogurt. Gently marry the dry and wet ingredients, treating the mixture with tender care.

• Baking Transformation

Pour the batter over the banana blanket. Slide into the oven and bake for about an hour, watching for a golden top and a perfectly clean toothpick test.

• Caramel Crown

While the cake rests, craft a luxurious caramel sauce. Combine brown sugar, cream, and butter in a pan. Let it bubble and dance, then drizzle this liquid gold over the inverted cake.

• Sweet Reveal

Carefully flip the cake onto a waiting plate. Let the banana-caramel layers shine, creating a dessert that tells a delicious story.

Tips to Perfect Your Banana Upside Down Cake

• Banana Brilliance Tips
• Banana Selection: Choose ripe, soft bananas with brown speckles for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor profiles. Overripe bananas work perfectly, adding natural caramelized sweetness to the cake.
• Texture Magic: Slice bananas uniformly for even caramelization and attractive presentation. Arrange them carefully in beautiful patterns like concentric circles or overlapping layers for visual appeal.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with spice combinations like adding nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon. Consider incorporating chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the topping for extra crunch and nutty dimensions.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake one day ahead, storing it covered at room temperature. The flavors will meld beautifully, creating an even more delicious dessert experience.

Serving Banana Upside Down Cake with Style

• Sweet Caramel Drizzle: Pour warm caramel glaze generously over each slice, creating a luxurious golden waterfall that enhances the banana's natural sweetness and adds a rich, decadent touch.
• Creamy Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the cake's warmth and provide a cool, smooth contrast.
• Nutty Crunch Topping: Sprinkle toasted chopped pecans or walnuts over the cake for a delightful textural element that complements the soft banana layers and adds a subtle nutty flavor.
• Breakfast Transformation: Pair a slice with morning coffee or a cappuccino, turning this dessert into a delectable breakfast treat that feels indulgent yet comforting.

Storage Method for Banana Upside Down Cake

• Fridge-Fresh Strategy: Store your banana upside down cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. Keep it fresh for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum flavor and moisture retention.
• Counter Comfort Zone: When serving at room temperature, leave the cake uncovered for 2-3 hours. This method helps maintain its delectable texture and prevents moisture buildup.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, allowing quick defrosting whenever a sweet craving hits.
• Moisture Management: Place a paper towel inside the storage container to absorb excess moisture. This simple trick prevents the cake from becoming soggy and maintains its delightful texture.

Irresistible Banana Upside Down Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 75-85 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern banana upside down cake blends nostalgic comfort with caramelized fruit perfection. Southern kitchens offer this simple dessert that welcomes delightful memories and delectable pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 bananas, sliced into ¼–⅓ inch rounds
• 2 overripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar
• ⅓ cup (75 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 4.5 tbsps (65 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 4 tbsps (60 grams) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) plain greek yogurt or sour cream
• 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• Dash of salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Generously grease an 8 x 8 or 9-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Caramel Foundation: Melt butter and brown sugar in the preheated oven until transformed into a smooth, golden liquid, creating a rich base layer.
3. Banana Arrangement: Artfully position banana slices across the caramel, forming an aesthetically pleasing pattern that will become the cake’s focal point when inverted.
4. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine all-purpose and whole wheat flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
5. Wet Ingredient Harmonization: Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, then gradually integrate eggs, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, and mashed bananas into a cohesive mixture.
6. Batter Composition: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, minimizing stirring to preserve the batter’s tender consistency, and pour evenly over the banana-lined caramel base.
7. Baking Technique: Initiate baking at 350°F for 30 minutes, then reduce temperature to 325°F, continuing until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, signaling perfect doneness.
8. Finishing Touches: Cool the cake briefly in the pan, then invert onto a serving plate to showcase the glistening banana topping, followed by drizzling a luxurious caramel glaze made by simmering brown sugar, heavy cream, butter, and salt until glossy and thickened.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Generously grease your baking pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cake removal.
• Caramel Magic: Create a smooth, golden caramel base by carefully melting butter and brown sugar, which transforms the cake’s bottom into a delectable layer.
• Banana Placement Matters: Arrange banana slices strategically and attractively, as they’ll become the stunning top when the cake is inverted.
• Temperature Precision: Start baking at 350°F for 30 minutes, then lower to 325°F to achieve perfect texture without burning the delicate cake.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg