Banana Upside-Down Cake

Introduction

The Banana Upside-Down Cake is a delicious dessert featuring a caramelized banana topping. It’s a moist, buttery cake with the rich flavor of ripe bananas, making it a wonderful treat for any occasion. The bananas are arranged at the bottom of the pan and topped with cake batter, creating a stunning upside-down presentation when flipped after baking.

Ingredients

For the Topping:

• Brown sugar (for the caramel base)
• Butter (sliced into small pieces)
• 2-3 ripe bananas (sliced lengthwise)

For the Cake Batter:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup butter (softened)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
• ½ cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square cake pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly on the bottom of the pan and scatter butter pieces over it. Place the pan in the preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the butter melts. Remove the pan from the oven, stir, and spread the mixture evenly. Arrange the sliced bananas to cover the bottom of the pan.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another large bowl, beat the granulated sugar and softened butter using an electric mixer until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until well combined. Stir in the mashed bananas and sour cream until the mixture is smooth.
4. Combine and Pour: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing. Pour the batter over the banana slices in the pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 30 minutes. Invert the cake onto a serving plate and slice to serve.

Conclusion

This Banana Upside-Down Cake is an easy and visually appealing dessert. The combination of caramelized bananas with the soft, moist cake is a delightful treat for banana lovers. It’s perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or as a sweet ending to any meal. Enjoy this cake warm, and pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent experience!