Banana Upside Down Cake Recipe
Upside down cake is a classic dessert that will always impress your guests. Nex time you're planning to make the vintage recipe, skip the pineapple and give this Banana Upside Down Cake a try instead! This decadent cake is teeming with banana flavor and boasts a gooey brown sugar glaze on top, with fresh slices of banana to boot. Easy and delicious, which is the perfect dessert in my book.
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Reasons You Will Love This Upside Down Banana Cake Recipe
If you're a dessert lover looking to shake things up, this Upside Down Banana Cake recipe may just be your new go-to. Packed with banana flavor and topped with a gooey brown sugar glaze, this dessert will leave you and your guests reaching for seconds. Here's why you'll fall in love with this recipe:
- A Fresh Take on a Vintage Classic: Upside down cakes are a time-honored dessert classic, but this recipe swaps the traditional pineapple for bananas, giving it a creative and delicious twist. Pineapple fans, step aside - the banana version takes center stage!
- Bursting with Banana Flavor: This Banana Upside Down Cake isn't just about the toppings. From the fresh banana slices to the addition of banana cream pudding in the batter, every bite is infused with rich, natural banana goodness.
- Gooey Brown Sugar Glaze: What's better than a golden-baked cake? One topped with a gooey, buttery brown sugar glaze that takes this dessert to the next level. The glaze seeps into the bananas and cake, ensuring every bite is perfectly sweet and sticky.
- Simple Ingredients: You don't need a plethora of fancy ingredients to whip up this decadent treat. Just a few staples like ripe bananas, golden butter cake mix, and brown sugar come together to create something truly magical.
- Quick and Easy to Make: Thanks to the use of cake mix, this recipe is as quick to prepare as it is delicious. Combine the mix with just a handful of readily available ingredients, and your beautiful dessert is ready in no time.
What Do I Need to Make Banana Upside Down Cake?
Since this simple dessert is prepared with cake mix, it's quick and easy to make! Combine the mix with a handful of other ingredients to whip up a beautiful sweet treat in no time. To make your own banana upside down cake, you'll need:
- Ripe bananas
- Golden butter cake mix
- Banana cream pudding
- Salted butter
- Brown sugar
- Whole milk
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Ground cinnamon
How Do I Make Banana Upside Down Cake?
You won't believe just how easy this beautiful dessert is to make! Simply follow these five easy steps to prepare this decadent banana cake for your next get-together:
Step One: Mash the Bananas
Before you can start baking your upside down cake, begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Then peel two bananas and place them in the bottom of a large mixing bowl. Use a fork to smash the bananas until no large chunks are visible.
Step Two: Make the Cake Batter
Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, and one teaspoon of ground cinnamon with the eggs, milk, and oil in the bowl with the mashed bananas. Use a hand mixer to beat the ingredients together until everything is well combined.
Step Three: Prepare the Banana Topping
Place the butter in a small bowl and microwave until melted, around one minute. Add the brown sugar and remaining cinnamon to the melted butter and stir to mix. Spray a standard Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and pour the butter mixture in an even layer in the bottom of the pan. Peel the remaining two bananas and cut them into thin slices. Arrange the banana slices in an even layer around the brown sugar mixture in the bottom of the pan, covering the bottom in only one layer of bananas that slightly overlap.
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Step Four: Pour in the Cake Batter
Gently pour the cake batter into the pan, covering the bananas and brown sugar mixture. Make sure the cake batter is evenly distributed around the pan.
Step Five: Bake the Upside Down Cake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a moist, sticky crumb. When the cake is finished baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for five minutes. Then, gently invert the cake on to a serving tray or large plate. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
How Do You Banana Upside Down Cake?
This flavorful cake is so delicious, everyone is sure to gobble it up! But if you have a few extra slices after you serve it, the extras can be stored in the fridge. Make sure to allow the cake to cool completely, then cover the plate or transfer the slices to an airtight container. The leftovers will stay good in the refrigerator for up to four days.
You can also freeze leftover slices for up to three months. Place them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for best results. Allow the frozen slices to thaw at room temperature before eating.
Banana Upside Down Cake Recipe Tips
Now that you see how simple this banana cake is to prepare, it's going to be at the top of your list of easy desserts to make in a pinch. And with the help of these tips, you'll be on your way to enjoying a delicious dessert in no time!
- Don't cool the cake for too long in the pan. For best results, it's important that you invert the pan over a plate shortly after removing it from the oven. The longer the cake sits in the Bundt pan, the more difficult it will be to remove!
- Use a flat spatula to remove a stuck cake. If your cake is stuck in the pan after flipping it, use a flat spatula or butter knife to help loosen the sides. Gently slide the spatula along the sides of the pan, then flip the pan over again. Repeat the process until the cake comes out.
- Some of the topping may stick. Even after removing the cake from the pan, you might notice some of the brown sugar topping stuck to the bottom of the pan. This is normal, so don't worry!
- Make sure not to overcook your cake. This cake will dry out quickly, so it's important to watch it as it finishes baking. The cake is ready to come out of the oven when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. The cake will continue cooking as it sits in the pan to cool.
- Spike your cake for added flavor. If you want to make this a spiked cake, you can serve your slices with a pipette filled with spiced rum or banana vodka. You can also swap out some of the milk in the recipe with rum and bake it directly into the cake.
- Serve it with a topping. The gooey brown sugar and bananas make a delicious topping baked right in. But if you want to add even more flavor, try serving your cake with some caramel sauce drizzled over the top.
What to Serve with Upside Down Banana Cake
Upside Down Banana Cake is a show-stopper dessert with a gooey brown sugar glaze, fresh banana slices, and a moist, banana-scented base. But what makes it even better is pairing it with the perfect accompaniments. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply enjoying a slice yourself, here are some mouthwatering ideas to complete your Upside Down Banana Cake experience.
- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The classic pairing of warm cake and cold ice cream is unbeatable. A scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream balances the banana-flavored sweetness and adds a refreshing contrast to the caramelized glaze.
- Fresh Whipped Cream: Keep it light and fluffy with fresh whipped cream. Add a hint of vanilla or cinnamon for an extra layer of flavor. The airy texture complements the dense, moist cake beautifully.
- Salted Caramel Sauce: Drizzle some salted caramel sauce over your cake slice for added decadence. The salty-sweet combination enhances the flavors of the brown sugar glaze and banana.
- Toasted Nuts: Sprinkle toasted pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds on top for a satisfying crunch. The nutty flavors pair perfectly with the caramelized bananas and add a delightful texture to every bite.
- Creamy Greek Yogurt: For a healthier twist, serve the cake with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt. Its tangy flavor cuts through the sweetness while keeping things balanced and light.
- Coffee or Espresso: Coffee and banana make a surprisingly delicious combination. Pair your cake with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a shot of espresso to amplify the dessert's flavors while providing an earthier contrast.
- Tropical Fruit Salad: Go tropical by serving your cake alongside fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya. These flavors work harmoniously with the bananas to create a vibrant and refreshing dessert plate.
Whether you're looking for a creamy, crunchy, or fruity pairing, there's no shortage of ways to enhance the flavors of your Upside Down Banana Cake!
Banana Upside Down Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 10-Inch Bundt Pan
- Hand Mixer
- Nonstick Cooking Spray
Ingredients
- 4 Small Ripe Bananas
- 1 Golden Butter Cake Mix 15.25 ounces
- 1 Box Banana Cream Pudding 3.4 ounces
- 1 Stick Salted Butter ½ cup
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar packed
- ½ Cup Whole Milk
- ⅓ Cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 Eggs
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
- Peel two of the bananas and place them in the bottom of a large mixing bowl. Using a fork, smash them until they have no large chunks.
- Add the cake mix, pudding mix, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, the eggs, the milk, and the oil to the bowl with the mashed banana.
- Using a hand mixer, beat until well mixed. Set aside.
- Place the butter in a small bowl and microwave for a minute or until fully melted.
- Add the brown sugar and the remaining teaspoon of cinnamon to the melted butter and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Spray a standard bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray right before placing the brown sugar mixture in the bottom. Spread evenly.
- Peel and slice the two remaining bananas. Place the banana slices in the brown sugar mixture in the bottom of the pan, covering the bottom in only one layer of bananas that slightly overlap in the middle.
- Gently pour the cake batter over the top of the bananas and brown sugar. Make sure the cake batter is sitting evenly.
- Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees fahrenheit, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a moist or slightly sticky crumb.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before gently inverting the cake onto a serving tray or large plate. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
• This cake will result in a bit of the brown sugar mixture sticking to the bottom of the pan. This is normal and expected.
• Don’t let the cake sit in the pan for too long before inverting or it will be a mini nightmare to remove properly. Use caution when handling the pan while flipping it.
• If you feel like making it a spike cake, you can serve each slice with a pipette filled with spiced rum or banana vodka. You can also swap out some of the milk for rum as well, and bake it directly into the cake.
• Do not overcook. This cake will dry out quickly if it’s overcooked. Pull the cake out when it’s a couple minutes from finishing. It will continue cooking when outside the oven.
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