Banana Foster Upside-Down Recipe
Bananas Foster is a classic New Orleans dessert that originated in the 1950s at Brennan's Restaurant. It consists of sliced bananas cooked in a buttery, brown sugar and rum sauce, often served over vanilla ice cream. This recipe takes that classic dessert and turns it into an upside-down cake that is perfect for any occasion. This cake is moist, flavorful, and topped with a caramelized banana topping that is sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3 ripe bananas, sliced
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup dark rum
Equipment:
9-inch round cake pan
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk
Spatula
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray or butter.
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and brown sugar until well combined. Spread this mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared cake pan. Arrange the sliced bananas on top of the brown sugar mixture in a single layer.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, until just combined.
Stir in the dark rum until well combined.
Pour the batter over the bananas in the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a serving plate. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Nutrition information (per serving):
Calories: 387
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 35g
Allergy concerns: This recipe contains dairy and eggs. To make it dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with vegan butter and use a non-dairy milk in place of the buttermilk. To make it egg-free, you can use a vegan egg replacer or 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce in place of the eggs.
Spicy level: This recipe does not contain any spicy ingredients.
Healthy alternatives: To make this recipe healthier, you can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour, reduce the amount of sugar, and use a lower-fat milk in place of the buttermilk. You can also omit the dark rum if desired.
Amazon links for ingredients and equipment:
All-purpose flour: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q6DR8LW/
Baking powder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DJRNXS/
Baking soda: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DJUDHE/
Salt: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0005XPGUY
Here are some additional details about the ingredients and equipment needed for this recipe: Ingredients:
Unsalted butter: This recipe calls for both melted and softened butter. It's important to use unsalted butter so that you can control the amount of salt in the recipe.
Light brown sugar: This adds sweetness and a caramel-like flavor to the cake.
Ripe bananas: The bananas should be ripe but not overly brown or mushy.
All-purpose flour: This is the most commonly used flour in baking and is readily available at most grocery stores.
Baking powder: This helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
Baking soda: This helps the cake rise and also helps neutralize the acidity in the recipe.
Salt: This enhances the flavor of the cake and balances the sweetness of the brown sugar.
Granulated sugar: This adds sweetness to the cake batter.
Eggs: The eggs help bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cake.
Vanilla extract: This adds flavor to the cake.
Buttermilk: This adds moisture and acidity to the cake batter.
Dark rum: This adds flavor and depth to the cake and is a key ingredient in traditional Bananas Foster.
Equipment:
9-inch round cake pan: This is the perfect size for this cake and can be used for other cake recipes as well.
Mixing bowls: You'll need a small bowl for the brown sugar mixture and a medium bowl for the dry ingredients.
Electric mixer: This makes it easier to cream the butter and sugar together and ensures a fluffy cake.
Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are important in baking, so make sure you have the right tools.
Whisk: This is helpful for combining the dry ingredients and for making sure the batter is smooth.
Spatula: This is helpful for scraping the sides of the bowl and spreading the batter evenly in the cake pan.