Banana Upside Down Cake made with ripe bananas, brown sugar, and butter, which creates a caramelized topping that is irresistible! Perfect banana recipe for when you have ripe bananas to use up!
One of the great things about this easy banana cake recipe is that it is simple to make and requires only a few ingredients. This upside down banana cake is a flavorful and moist cake that is perfect for any occasion!
Upside Down Banana Cake
This banana upside down cake is similar to the classic pineapple upside down cake, but using banana instead of pineapple! The base (which becomes the top) features a delicious caramel layer with slices of banana. This layer is then topped with a lightly spiced banana cake. This cake is absolutely amazing served both warm with a scoop of ice cream, or at room temperature.
Banana Upside Down Cake is a classic dessert that is sure to please any crowd. Whether you are looking for a sweet treat to serve at a dinner party or simply want to indulge in a delicious dessert, this cake is a great choice. So why not give it a try and see for yourself why this dessert has stood the test of time.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Upside Down Cake
- Incredibly easy to make. The ingredients are simple and readily available, and the recipe can be adapted to suit different tastes and preferences. The cake can be served warm or cold, and it is perfect for any occasion.
- Versatile and can be customized to suit different dietary needs. For example, the cake can be made gluten-free by using almond flour instead of wheat flour, or it can be made vegan by using coconut oil instead of butter. The cake can also be topped with a variety of different fruits, such as pineapple, peaches, or cherries, to create a unique and delicious dessert.
- Perfect for any occasion! Whether you are looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with your family or a dessert to impress your guests, this cake is sure to be a hit. This cake feels both casual and easy, but also fancy and decadent!
Banana Upside Down Cake Ingredients
Toppings
Brown sugar: You will need ½ cup of brown sugar to create the delicious caramel flavor for the top of the cake.
Butter: Using ⅓ cup of butter, chopped, will give the topping a wonderful rich taste.
Banana: Add 2 bananas, sliced, for the amazing cake topping this dessert is named for.
Cake
Butter: For a nice rich batter, add in ½ cup of butter, softened.
Brown sugar: You need 1 cup of brown sugar to give this cake an amazing depth of flavor and sweetness.
Bananas: Add in even more great taste by using 2 bananas, mashed.
Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together by adding in 2 eggs to this cake batter.
Vanilla extract: Enhance all the incredible flavors in this recipe by using 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Flour: The structural base of this cake is 1 ½ cups of all purpose flour.
Baking powder: Add in 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder to help the cake rise nicely as it bakes.
Cinnamon: For a lovely spiced flavor, you will want to add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Salt: Balance all the different flavors in this cake batter by using ½ teaspoon of salt.
How to make Simple Upside Down Banana Cake
Prep
Begin by preheating the oven to 325°F. Next, line an 8″ springform pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set it aside.
Topping
To make the cake topping, place the brown sugar and butter into a small saucepan. Cook over a low-medium heat, and stir for around 5 minutes, or until the mixture just begins to thicken and turn golden. Remove the mixture from the heat.
While the butter mixture is cooking, cut up two whole bananas into 1″ slices.
Then, pour the butter mixture into the base of the prepared cake pan and arrange the sliced bananas over the butter mixture and set the pan aside.
Cake batter
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a large bowl and handheld mixer) add the softened butter and brown sugar. Proceed to beat on medium speed, using a flat beater attachment, until the mixture is pale and creamy.
In a separate small bowl, mash the other two bananas with a fork. Then add the mashed bananas, eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed butter. Beat until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Next, gradually add in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Continue to beat on a low speed until just combined.
Bake
Spoon the cake batter over the sliced bananas in the cake pan, and gently spread, smoothing the surface. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until cooked through.
Allow the cake to cool in the can pan for at least 20 minutes before turning upside down onto a cake plate.
Serve warm or allow to cool completely to room temperature before serving. Enjoy!
Banana Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
Topping:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup butter chopped
- 2 bananas sliced
Cake:
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 bananas mashed
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F. Line an 8" springform pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Toppings: To make the topping, place the brown sugar and butter into a small saucepan. Place over a low-medium heat, and stir for around 5 minutes, or until the mixture just begins to thicken and turn golden. Remove from the heat.
- While the butter mixture is cooking, cut up two whole bananas into 1" slices.
- Pour the butter mixture into the base of the cake pan. Arrange the sliced bananas over the butter mixture and set aside.
- Cake batter: Add the softened butter and brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a large bowl and handheld mixer). Beat using a flat beater attachment until pale and creamy.
- In a separate small bowl, mash the other two bananas with a fork. Add the mashed bananas, eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed butter. Beat until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Beat on a low speed until just combined.
- Bake: Spoon the cake batter over the sliced bananas in the cake pan, and gently spread, smoothing the surface. Bake for 45 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Allow the cake to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes before turning upside down onto a cake plate. Serve warm, or allow to cool completely to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Tips & Tricks for Banana Upside Down Cake
- Serve this cake either warm or at room temperature, it’s great both ways. It especially makes an amazing dessert when served warm with a scoop of ice cream or heavy cream.
- If you don’t have a stand mixer available, simply use a large mixing bowl and electric hand held beaters.
- The cake is cooked through when it springs back when lightly touched in the center. Alternatively, insert a skewer or toothpick into the center of the cake. If the skewer or toothpick comes out clean, the cake is cooked through.
- If using a springform pan, place on a baking sheet incase of any caramel leaks from the base of the tin.
How to store Upside Down Banana Cake?
If you have left overs of this cake (which will be surprising!), you will want to store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This cake is also suitable for freezing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before
What are the Best Measuring Cups?
I always have 4-5 sets of measuring cups on hand at any given time. Here are some characteristics of my favorites:
- Use stainless steel measuring cups. They hold up better, last longer and I can run them through the dishwasher a million times without any issues.
- Use measuring cups with no lip and at least a 3″ handle. Smaller, 1″ squat handles are just awkward. And the cups that have a lip are harder to level ingredients.
- Get nesting cups that can be separated.
- Go for a large set of cups with uncommon measurements! I have a big set with a 2 cup measuring cup, a 1 ½ cup measuring cup and even a ⅔ cup. I’m amazed at how often I use them!
Need more recipes to use up your ripe bananas? Try these:
- Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
- Peanut Butter Banana Bars
- Banana Cream Cheesecakes
- Banana Cream Cookies
- Cranberry Banana Bread
- Buttermilk Banana Cake
- CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD
- FROSTED BANANA CAKE
- BANANA CREAM CHEESECAKES
- FUDGE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
- PEANUT BUTTER BANANA COOKIES
Make this incredible Banana Upside Down Cake with ripe bananas, brown sugar, and butter, which creates a caramelized topping that is simply heavenly. This simple ripe banana recipe makes a flavorful dessert that everyone is sure to enjoy!
Agnes devine says
Just after reading all about the making of this cake. Was asking my self if it could be done in a ninja I have a recipe for a banana cake it turns out really nice in the Niniga so what do you think.? Could this one
Jessica says
I don’t have a Ninja, so I’m no help, sorry!