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Delicious slice of Banana Foster Upside Down Cake with caramelized bananas and pecans.

Banana Foster Upside Down Cake

A warm, buttery cake featuring a luscious caramel banana topping that's easy to make and reliably impressive.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 290
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the caramel banana layer
  • 4 medium Bananas Ripe but not overly mushy, sliced into coins or strips.
  • 1/2 cup Butter For the caramel and the batter.
  • 3/4 cup Brown sugar Deep caramel flavor is essential.
For the cake batter
  • 1.5 cups Flour All-purpose flour.
  • 2 tsp Baking powder For leavening.
  • 1/2 tsp Salt To enhance flavor.
  • 1 large Egg At room temperature.
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract For flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Milk or buttermilk For moisture.
Optional spices and mix-ins
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon Optional but adds cozy flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Chopped nuts Pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch.
  • 1/4 cup Mini chocolate chips For a chocolatey twist.
  • 1 tsp Rum extract For the rum flavor without alcohol.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan thoroughly.
  2. Melt butter in a small pot, stir in brown sugar, and let bubble for about a minute until smooth. Pour into the prepared cake pan.
  3. Slice bananas and layer them over the caramel in the pan.
Batter Mixing
  1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In another bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar. Then mix in the egg and vanilla.
  3. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture until just combined, allowing lumps.
Baking
  1. Spoon the batter over the bananas carefully and spread it gently.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, until the center springs back and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
  3. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before flipping onto a plate.

Notes

For best results, use ripe bananas, grease the pan thoroughly, and avoid overbaking.