• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbook
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
  • side view shot of a slice of banana cake with a bite missing
    Cream Cheese Filled Banana Cake
  • a bowl of banana fritters dusted in powdered sugar with one ripped in half
    Banana Fritters
  • overhead shot of chocolate pound cake sliced on a cooling rack
    Chocolate Pound Cake
  • side view shot of the coffee cake with a slice missing
    Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
  • close up shot of 3 slices of marbled banana bread leaning against the loaf
    Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread
Home / Recipes
1 hour
4.75 from 8 votes
6 Comments

Banana Upside Down Cake

Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 32
  • 45
by: Joanna Cismaru
03.28.19
Updated: 04.26.19

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This easy Banana Upside Down Cake recipe is such a perfect way to use up over-ripe bananas! Treat yourself to this decadent and soft cake baked with its own caramelized banana topping.

a stack of banana upside down cake slices

Banana Upside Down Cake

I absolutely love bananas and I always make sure I have a bunch on my counter. But what do we do when the last few get too ripe to eat? I usually make a loaf or two of banana bread, but this time I decided to switch it up. This banana upside down cake is such an incredible treat! Plus it looks gorgeous without much effort at all.

If you’re a banana fanatic like me, this recipe is a MUST. With each bite you get moist, springy banana cake, and a burst sweetness with a piece of caramelized banana. If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth or even impress some dinner guests, this cake is the way to go.

ingredients used to make banana upside down cake

What Ingredients Are in Banana Upside Down Cake?

For the caramelized banana topping you will need:

  • Butter
  • Salt
  • Brown sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Rum*
  • Bananas

The bananas I used for the topping weren’t over-ripe. Because it’s a caramel and has plenty of sugar, I opted for less sweet bananas in the topping.

*If you want this cake alcohol-free, you can leave out the rum completely or add some rum extract flavoring.

For the banana cake you will need:

  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Over-ripe bananas
  • Milk
  • Vanilla

step photos of making banana upside down cake
How To Quickly Ripen Bananas

There are two great methods that you can use if you’re craving this upside down banana cake, but your bananas just aren’t quite ready. You can:

  1. Place the bananas on a baking sheet and bake them at 250 F for 10-20 minutes. This will depend on how ripe your bananas are to start out with. Keep an eye on them and add time as you see fit.
  2. If you are okay with waiting an extra day, place your bananas in a paper bag and fold the top to seal off the outside air. This leaves them in a bag full of their own ethylene, which is what causes them to ripen. Adding an apple, fig, or pear to the bag will help them ripen up a bit more.

How to Make Banana Upside Down Cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F and grease a 9×13 cake pan.
  2. Make the topping: Heat the butter, salt, brown sugar, and vanilla in a skillet on the stovetop. Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved into the butter and the mixture bubbles. Remove from the heat and whisk in the rum. Spread the caramel evenly on the bottom of the greased cake pan, then top with sliced bananas.
  3. Make the cake batter: In a small bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas using either a fork or a potato masher. Set aside. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a mixing bowl using a whisk, beat the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl between eggs. Stir in the bananas. Mix in half the dry ingredients, the milk and vanilla, and finally the remaining dry ingredients.
  4. Bake the cake: Pour the cake batter over the caramel and banana slices and spread evenly using a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
  5. Flip the cake: Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife along the edges of the cake pan to release the sides.Turn the cake out onto a platter, cooling rack, or a cutting board. Wear oven mitts to protect your hands from hot caramel. Spoon excess caramel back over the cake, serve, and enjoy!

overhead shot of banana upside down cake cut into slices

How Can I Tell When My Cake Is Done Baking?

Use a toothpick and insert it 3/4 of the way through the cake. Once it comes out clean, your cake is all done. The reason I recommend that you don’t insert the toothpick fully is because of that caramel topping. That will stick to the toothpick regardless of the doneness of the cake, and you could risk over-baking it.

What Type of Pan Should I Use?

I used a 9×13 inch cake pan for this recipe. You can also use:

  • Two 9 inch round cake pans
  • Bundt cake pan
  • Jelly roll pan
  • Two muffin tins, if you’re making individual sized cakes

Please keep in mind that if you use a different type of cake pan, the baking time will differ.

closeup of banana upside down cake

Tips for Making the Best Banana Upside Down Cake

  • Keep the bananas a bit chunky when you mash them.
  • Don’t over-mix! Only mix until you no longer see dry ingredients
  • Let your bananas get as ripe as possible for the cake! The more ripe the better.
  • For the topping, using under-ripe bananas is ideal because they will hold their shape and texture better after being baked.
  • Make sure to generously grease your cake pan so that the cake can be turned out easily

Can I Add Mix-Ins to My Banana Upside Down Cake?

This cake would be amazing with mix-ins! You can try out some nuts like pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds. Add some extra sweetness with chocolate/ white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, toffee bits, or a peanut butter chips. Dried fruit like raisins or cherries would be great as well.

overhead closeup of a piece of banana upside down cake

How to Store Banana Upside Down Cake

Transfer this cake to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 days. You can eat it cold, or microwave it for 30 seconds or until it heats up slightly.

How to Freeze Banana Upside Down Cake

Store in an airtight container. You can store the pieces together or individually for easier thawing. Let the cake thaw fully in the fridge, and warm each slice up in the microwave before serving if you prefer the cake warm.

two pieces of banana upside down cake in a bowl topped with ice cream

Did You Love This Cake? Try These!

  • Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
  • Easy Banana Bread
  • Easy Banana Nut Bread
  • Cream Cheese Filled Banana Cake
  • Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread

Looking for more recipes? Follow on... My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

two slices of banana upside down cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a bowl

Banana Upside Down Cake

4.75 from 8 votes
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 1 hr
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 16
Print Pin Rate
This easy Banana Upside Down Cake recipe is such a perfect way to use up over-ripe bananas! Treat yourself to this decadent and soft cake baked with its own caramelized banana topping.

Ingredients

Banana Caramel Topping

  • ¼ cup butter unsalted
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • â…” cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp rum
  • 3 large bananas not necessarily ripe (or 4), sliced

Banana Cake

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon ground
  • 2 bananas ripe
  • ½ cup butter unsalted, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Prepare oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees and grease a 9x13-inch cake pan.
  • Make the topping: Heat the butter, salt, brown sugar, and vanilla in a skillet on the stovetop. Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved into the butter and the mixture bubbles. Remove from the heat and whisk in the rum. Spread the caramel evenly on the bottom of the greased cake pan, then top with sliced bananas.
  • Make the cake batter: In a small bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together. In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas using either a fork or a potato masher. Set aside.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a mixing bowl using a whisk, beat the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl between eggs. Stir in the bananas. Mix in half the dry ingredients, the milk and vanilla, and finally the remaining dry ingredients.
  • Bake the cake: Pour the cake batter over the caramel and banana slices and spread evenly using a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
  • Flip the cake: Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife along the edges of the cake pan to release the sides.Turn the cake out onto a platter, cooling rack, or a cutting board. Wear oven mitts to protect your hands from hot caramel. Spoon excess caramel back over the cake, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

How to tell when cake is done baking: Use a toothpick and insert it 3/4 of the way through the cake. Once it comes out clean, your cake is all done. The reason I recommend that you don’t insert the toothpick fully is because of that caramel topping. That will stick to the toothpick regardless of the doneness of the cake, and you could risk over-baking it.
Storage: Transfer this cake to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 days. You can eat it cold, or microwave it for 30 seconds or until it heats up slightly.
Freezing: Store in an airtight container. You can store the pieces together or individually for easier thawing. Let the cake thaw fully in the fridge, and warm each slice up in the microwave before serving if you prefer the cake warm.
Nutrition: Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 247kcal (12%)Carbohydrates: 37g (12%)Protein: 2g (4%)Fat: 9g (14%)Saturated Fat: 5g (31%)Cholesterol: 50mg (17%)Sodium: 278mg (12%)Potassium: 251mg (7%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 23g (26%)Vitamin A: 340IU (7%)Vitamin C: 3.5mg (4%)Calcium: 55mg (6%)Iron: 0.9mg (5%)
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Keyword:banana cake, banana upside down cake
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

overhead shot of a plate stacked with buttermilk fried chicken
Previous Post
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
side view close up shot of chili garlic shrimp in a skillet
Next Post
Chili Garlic Shrimp

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Recipes

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet

Salisbury Steak

closeup of beef stew in a dutch oven with a ladle inside.

Beef Stew

overhead shot of zucchini lasagna in a baking dish

Zucchini Lasagna

a white bowl full with american goulash and a fork inside stacked on top of an empty bowl

American Goulash (Chop Suey)

two plate with sloppy joes and buns next to a greens salad

Sloppy Joes

beef barley soup in a white bowl with a spoon inside.

Beef Barley Soup

overhead shot of chicken broccoli and rice casserole in a pot

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

creamy chicken lazone in a skillet garnished with parsley.

Chicken Lazone

Popular Now

a hand dipping a chicken tender in ranch dressing

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

a fork stabbing a garlic butter steak bite in a skillet full of them

Garlic Butter Steak Bites

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

side view shot of a cinnamon bun with a bite taken out of it on a plate

Cinnabons Cinnamon Rolls

side view shot of a hand dipping a piece of naan bread into the bowl of chicken tikka masala

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

close up of the layers on the homemade croissant

Homemade Croissants

overhead shot of crusty bread loaf

No Knead Bread

side view shot of two halves of a chicken salad sandwich stacked on a plate exposing the centers

The Best Chicken Salad

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
spring rolls cut in half in a black bowl with peanut sauce.

Asian

overhead shot of a fork with spaghetti twirled around it in a plate full of spaghetti.

Italian

mexican wedding cookies on parchment paper.

Mexican

sweet cheese buns stacked on top of each other with the top one broken in half.

Romanian

sideview shot of butter chicken on a plate over white rice garnished with parsley

Indian

overhead of falafel on a plate with tzatziki, feta, tomatoes and onions.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

a whole roast chicken surrounded by potatoes

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
lifehack logo.
buzzfeed logo.
mashable logo.
woman's day logo.
health logo.
better homes & gardens logo.
delish logo.
healthline logo.
nbc news logo.
blogloving logo.
university of washington logo.
shape logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbook
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2021 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!

529shares
  • 32
  • 45