Description
The ultimate comfort dessert, this cake features a moist, spice-infused banana batter baked over a base of butter-melted brown sugar and fresh banana rounds. Finished with a rich stovetop-cooked caramel glaze, it’s a dense, fudgy, and show-stopping centerpiece.
Ingredients
The Caramelized Bottom
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 4.5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 bananas, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
The Spice Banana Batter
- 1 cup AP flour + 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup overripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt
The Finishing Glaze
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 4 tbsp butter, 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Prep Base: Melt sugar and butter in the pan at 350°F for 5–7 mins. Arrange banana slices on top.
Mix Batter: Cream butter and sugar; add eggs, vanilla, yogurt, and mashed bananas. Fold in dry ingredients.
Bake: Pour over bananas. Bake at 350°F for 30 mins, then reduce to 325°F for 25–35 mins.
Finish: Cool completely, invert, and pour over the simmered stovetop caramel glaze.
Notes
Banana Strategy: Use firm yellow bananas for the slices to keep shape, and overripe spotted bananas for the batter for maximum moisture.
Temperature Shift: Dropping to 325°F prevents the bottom sugars from burning while the dense center finishes cooking.
Perfect Inversion: Only flip when stone cold to ensure the caramel sets on top of the fruit rather than running off.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Cake
- Method: Upside-Down Baking / Stovetop Glaze
- Cuisine: American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 42
- Sodium: 310
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 62
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 110
Keywords: caramel banana upside down cake, banana spice cake, whole wheat banana cake, homemade caramel glaze, easy banana desserts, banoffee style cake, holiday brunch desserts