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Upside-Down Banana and Caramel Cake

17/11/2023

Here’s the recipe for the upside-down banana and caramel cake, a tempting dessert that combines the softness of ripe bananas with the sweetness of caramel.

Ingredients

  • 3 or 4 ripe bananas
  • 200 g of sugar for the caramel
  • 100 ml of water
  • 150 g of soft butter
  • 150 g of granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 200 g of all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet of baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Let’s prepare the caramel by placing 200 g of sugar with the water in a non-stick pan. Cook over medium heat without stirring until we obtain a light amber colored caramel. Pour it immediately on the bottom of a round cake pan (previously buttered on the sides) and let it cool.
  2. Peel the bananas and cut them lengthwise. Arrange them over the caramel we have prepared in the pan, covering the entire surface.
  3. In a bowl, cream the soft butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix again.
  6. Sift the flour with the baking powder and salt, then gently fold them into the butter and egg mixture until a homogeneous dough is obtained.
  7. Pour the batter over the bananas in the pan and level the surface with a spatula or spoon.
  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  9. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes, then invert it onto a serving plate, so that the bananas and caramel are on the top side.
  10. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Curiosity

This cake is a variant of the classic French “Tarte Tatin,” typically made with apples. The use of bananas offers a softness and an exotic flavor that perfectly match the crispiness of caramel.

Remember that you can personalize your upside-down cake by replacing bananas with other fruits that pair well with caramel, such as pears or peaches. And if you have specific needs or want an all-Italian twist, I could suggest some variations. Happy cooking!

Upside-Down Banana and Caramel Cake