Decadent Banana Upside Down Cake with Caramel
This Banana Upside Down Cake with Caramel is rich, buttery, and beautifully indulgent. Layers of caramelized bananas sit atop a soft, moist vanilla cake, creating a stunning dessert that’s both comforting and impressive.
When flipped, the glossy caramel topping drips into the cake, making every bite sweet, sticky, and absolutely irresistible.
Perfect for holidays, brunch, or whenever you’re craving a show-stopping homemade dessert.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Cake
- Moist and tender crumb
- Rich homemade caramel flavor
- Uses ripe bananas
- Beautiful presentation
- Perfect make-ahead dessert
🧾 Ingredients (Serves 8–10)
For the Caramel Topping:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2–3 ripe bananas, sliced
For the Cake:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 banana)
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Layer
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in brown sugar until smooth and bubbling.
- Pour caramel mixture into a greased 9-inch round cake pan.
- Arrange banana slices evenly over caramel.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Mix in vanilla and mashed banana.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, mixing until just combined.
Step 3: Bake
Spread batter gently over banana layer.
Bake 35–40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Flip & Serve
Let cake cool 10–15 minutes.
Run a knife around edges and carefully invert onto a serving plate.
Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
💡 Tips for the Best Upside Down Cake
- Use ripe (but not mushy) bananas
- Don’t skip greasing the pan well
- Let it cool slightly before flipping
- Add a pinch of cinnamon for extra warmth
🧊 Storage
Store covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate up to 4 days.
