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Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake

This dessert takes the delicious flavors of bananas foster and combines them into a soft and fluffy cake! The result is a sweet and decadent treat that will impress and satisfy the sweetest sweet tooth!

Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake | www.diethood.com | The classic and very delicious Bananas Foster Sauce on top of a lovely, rich and flavorful cake.

Decadent Bananas Foster Cake

Are you a fan of banana foster? You know, the classic dessert made with bananas, brown sugar, butter, and rum, served over vanilla ice cream? 😋 If so, you’re in for a treat with this twist on the traditional recipe: Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake! 😱

Bananas are a versatile fruit that can be used in many delicious desserts, and one of the most popular banana desserts is Banana Bread, of course! However, I am trying to change that with this cake. The classic bananas foster dessert is a fantastic combination of sweet, caramelized bananas, but what if we put those in a cake? Oh yeah, I just did! It’s incredible.

Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake | www.diethood.com | The classic and very delicious Bananas Foster Sauce on top of a lovely, rich and flavorful cake.

Soooo. Fat Tuesday is upon us, and like the many Fat Tuesdays that have come before, I am again attempting to lure you in with a pretty and sweet and delightful and amazing Bananas Foster dessert. Fingers crossed, my plan is working…

Working off of my Pineapple Upside Down Cake from a few years back, I decided to make my banana-fosters-cake-dreams come true!

Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake | www.diethood.com | The classic and very delicious Bananas Foster Sauce on top of a lovely, rich and flavorful cake.

How To Make Bananas Foster Cake

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F, and grease an 11×7 pan with cooking spray.
  • Arrange the bananas, cut side down, in the prepared pan, and set aside.
  • For the Sauce: Combine butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon in a skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted, sugar dissolved, and mixture is well combined.
  • Slowly add rum and cook until heated through. Using a lighter, stand back and carefully light the rum.
  • Shake the pan a bit until the flames subside. Remove from heat and pour over the bananas; set aside.
  • For the Cake: In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt; set aside.
  • In your mixer’s bowl, beat the egg yolks for 4 to 5 minutes on high speed, or until lemony yellow. With the mixer on low, add apple juice and vanilla. Slowly add the melted butter and continue to mix until combined. Gradually add in the flour mixture, about 1/4-cup at a time; continue to mix until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Remove bowl from mixer and set aside. In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the flour mixture.
  • Spoon dollops of the cake batter over the bananas and using an offset spatula, gently spread the batter, covering the fruit.
  • Set a baking sheet on the bottom of the oven. Bake the cake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Invert it onto a platter. Let the cake cool slightly; about 20 minutes.
  • Cut and serve.

It’s spongy, it’s extremely flavorful, it’s got texture, it’s got caramel, it’s got RUM! It’s just plain ol’ awesome.

Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake | www.diethood.com | The classic and very delicious Bananas Foster Sauce on top of a lovely, rich and flavorful cake.

If I’m being perfectly honest, this is the way I want to enjoy the classic Bananas Foster from now until eternity – on top of this sweet, one-layer cake + a few cups of hot coffee to go with it. Ice cream, too.

Okay. What I’m really trying to say is that your Chubby Monday, or your Fat Tuesday, should be consumed by this cake-activity. Flambe your bananas and whip up that cake! You will LOVE it!

ENJOY!

More Bananas Recipes

Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake | www.diethood.com | The classic and very delicious Bananas Foster Sauce on top of a lovely, rich and flavorful cake.

Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake

Katerina | Diethood
The classic and very delicious Bananas Foster Sauce on top of a lovely, rich and flavorful cake.
4.75 from 8 votes
Servings : 8 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients
  

For the Bananas Foster Sauce
  • 3 to 4 bananas, halved longwise
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup dark rum
For the Cake
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature, white and yolks separated
  • ½ cup apple juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cool for about 3 minutes before using

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F.
  • Grease an 11×7 brownie pan with cooking spray, or you can also use an 8-inch cake pan or an 8×8 brownie pan. (***see notes)
  • Arrange the bananas, cut side down, in the prepared pan and set aside.
For the Sauce
  • Combine butter, light brown sugar and cinnamon in a skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted, sugar dissolved and mixture is well combined.
  • Slowly add rum and cook until heated through.
  • Using a lighter, stand back and carefully light the rum.
  • Shake the pan a bit until the flames subside.
  • Remove from heat and pour over prepared bananas; set aside.
For the Cake
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt; set aside.
  • In your mixer’s bowl, beat the egg yolks for 4 to 5 minutes on high speed, or until lemony yellow.
  • With the mixer on low, add apple juice and vanilla.
  • Slowly add the melted butter and continue to mix until combined.
  • Gradually add in the flour mixture, about 1/4-cup at a time; continue to mix until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Remove bowl from mixer and set aside.
  • In a clean, dry mixing bowl, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
  • Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the flour mixture. (***see notes)
  • Spoon dollops of the cake batter over the bananas and using an offset spatula, gently spread the batter, covering the fruit.
  • Set a baking sheet on the bottom of the oven.
  • Bake the cake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
  • Invert the cake onto a platter.
  • Let the cake cool slightly; about 20 minutes.
  • Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

***FOLDING THE EGG WHITES: Move the spatula across the bottom of the bowl; bring it back up the other side, carrying some of the mixture from the bottom over the surface. Repeat, rotating the bowl until the ingredients are combined. DO NOT overmix.
***BAKING PAN: I like using my 11×7 pan for smaller cakes and brownies. If you do not have one, please don’t use a 9×13 pan for this cake, as the pan will be way too big for the amount of cake batter. Use an 8×8 brownie pan or an 8-inch cake pan, if possible.

Nutrition

Calories: 322 kcal | Carbohydrates: 58 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 7 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Cholesterol: 76 mg | Sodium: 229 mg | Potassium: 342 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 46 g | Vitamin A: 290 IU | Vitamin C: 4 mg | Calcium: 79 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana cake, banana upside down cake, upside down cake
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    42 comments on “Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake”

    1. Avatar photo
      Steve Phelon

      I made this with 1 cup cream of coconut, 1 tbsp butter and some cinnamon as my sugar mixture, and covered it with 2 boxes of those jiffy banana muffin mix because that was all i had and it came out incredible. Thank you so much for this recipe idea. Next time I will make your exact recipe because that sounds so good as well.

    2. Followed the directions, but my carmel seems like it’s going to be very hard an inedible. Don’t know where I went wrong.. anybody?
      It’s in the oven now.
      Very disappointed as the batter smelled DELICIOUS. Probably user error so I want to correct it for my next attempt.

      1. Katerina - Diethood
        Katerina Petrovska

        Hi!
        I’m sorry you had problems with this :(. I hope the cake turned out, though…fingers crossed! Cooking the caramel for too long – doesn’t take much, even a second – is what will make it harden up real fast.

      2. I had the same problem. I tried TWICE haha once I mixed all the sugar and butter first and then heated up. But the sugar wasn’t melted like at all. And then it got hard because I kept trying to melt. Second time I melted butter first and then added sugar to hopefully help melt it. Same issue. I give up. This recipe made me mad 😂😂😂 oh the struggle

        1. Hi!
          A couple of things that may help; keep the heat at medium-low and stir very frequently while the butter is melting and the sugar is dissolving. Using a whisk to mix it all together may also help.

    3. This is such a brilliant recipe! I am wondering if the pan gets discoloured from lighting it, though. I have several pans that I reserve for better recipes and will try to use a pan that does not really bother me if it would happen to get discoloured.
      I can’t wait to make this. Thanks for the beautiful recipe!

    4. I wanted something kind of challenging to make today and chose this. Never made a carmel before, and mine came out VERY dark brown (maybe because
      I used really dark spiced rum, who knows ) and I didn’t light the pan after I put in the rum. Guess what, it still turned out WONDERFULLY. I used an 8×8 pan and mine was in for 23 minutes before fully cooked. Let it sit for 30 minutes and flipped it, and it slid out without any resistance. Perfecto. I got quite a few surprised faces when the family tasted it, and I’m pretty sure we will all have it devoured before the night is over.

      1. Katerina - Diethood
        Katerina Petrovska

        Dark rum is awesommmme!! 😀 But yes, it will darken the cake! hehe
        So happy though to hear that you loved it! Thank YOU!!

    5. So… was the yolk and flour mixture supposed to be as GD thick as it was? It was walking that batter/dough line quite finely… folding the egg whites into something like that was definitely a new experience.
      My cake is in the oven right now, so I hope it turns out!

    6. Hi, this cake looks delish! I was wondering if it was really necessary to light the sauce on fire after adding the alcohol? If it is just to “burn” off the alcohol, won’t that happen in the oven as the cake bakes? If I skip that step will it affect the taste of the cake? Thanks for your help!

      1. Katerina - Diethood
        Katerina Petrovska

        Hi Yana! Yep, you can definitely add milk or yogurt. Let me know if you make the cake! 🙂

      1. Katerina - Diethood
        Katerina Petrovska

        Hi! You can just skip the rum. You can also skip the lighting part since there won’t be any alcohol in it. 🙂 Hope that helps!

    7. Avatar photo
      Amber Gilliard

      Just whipped this up and placed it in the oven. It smells like heaven! Can’t wait to taste it. Thank you for sharing!

      1. Katerina - Diethood
        Katerina Petrovska

        Hi Amy! No, I personally have not tried making it in a cast iron. However, I think it should do fine as long as you keep a close eye on it since the baking time may need some adjusting. I hope that helps! Have a wonderful Sunday!

      1. Katerina - Diethood
        Katerina Petrovska

        Hi Yasmin! I think you’re asking for the recipe in Spanish? I don’t speak Spanish, but I’ll leave the question on here just in case a reader sees it and can help you out. Thank YOU!

      2. Yasmin, Creo que si usted hace un corte y pegar en Google Traducir, usted debe conseguir una buena traducción de esta receta. (Lo he probado y se ve bien.)

    8. I am definitely eager to try this cake, but one big problem is that i live with someone with an apple allergy and I wanted to ask how significant is it for the recipe, to either substitute or just leave out altogether?

      This looks amazing and it’s making my mouth water! *_*

      1. Katerina - Diethood
        Katerina Petrovska

        Hi Rose! Swap it out with a different juice. How about pineapple juice or strawberry juice? You can’t really taste it, but you do need the liquid. I hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything else! Have a great Sunday!

    9. Looks so delish I immediately wanted to try this one. But problem is I’m in Saudi Arabia at this time and Rum would be a big no-no and impossible to find. I know it would alter the flavor but can you suggest a non-alcohol alternative to add in??

      1. Katerina - Diethood
        Katerina Petrovska

        Hi Fern! You can just skip the rum altogether. It does add to the taste, but it’s just as delicious without it. You can also skip the lighting part since there won’t be any alcohol in it. 🙂 Let me know if this helps. Thank YOU!

      2. I was out of rum, so I added vanilla to both the sugar butter mixture as well as the batter and it heightened the aromatic flavor. Next time I will definitely use Myer’s dark rum (personal favorite), but use light brown sugar so it doesn’t come out too dark.

    10. Avatar photo
      Thalia @ butter and brioche

      This banana upside down cake looks SO incredibly delicious – I seriously am just drooling here looking at the images of those sweet, sticky, caramelised bananas. Just divine!

    11. Avatar photo
      Liz @ Floating Kitchen

      Chubby Monday – he he he. That’s great. This cake looks amazing! Bananas Fosters is one of my favorite desserts. Glad I can enjoy it in cake form now!

    12. Avatar photo
      Laura (Tutti Dolci)

      I’m so sorry that you had to make this cake 3 times… ;). That sauce, though! I want to drink it!

    13. Avatar photo
      Jen @ Baked by an Introvert

      I love bananas foster! It’s an absolute favorite of mine. This cake would get completely devoured! It’s out of this world delicious.

    14. Avatar photo
      Nicole - Coking for Keeps

      I LOVE bananas foster. Like go gaga for it. Can’t resist it. Dream about it. The fact that you’ve morphed it a cake, well, I’m about dying right now. It looks INSANELY delicious.

    15. Avatar photo
      Cookbook Queen

      Seems like I can’t ever watch TV without folding a load of laundry (or four). This cake is beautiful!!

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