Banana Upside-Down Cake

Banana Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients:

For the Caramelized Bananas:

• Bananas: 3-4 large ripe bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise
• Butter: 1/4 cup (1/2 stick)
• Brown sugar: 1/2 cup, packed

For the Cake Batter:

• Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened
• Sugar: 1 cup
• Eggs: 2 large
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
• All-purpose flour: 1 1/2 cups
• Baking powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
• Milk: 1/2 cup
• Sour cream or yogurt: 1/2 cup

Instructions:

1. Prepare the caramelized bananas:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter. Place the banana halves, cut side down, in the pan on top of the brown sugar mixture.
2. Make the cake batter:
   • In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and then mix in the vanilla extract.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk and sour cream (or yogurt), beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
3. Assemble the cake:
   • Pour the batter over the bananas in the cake pan, spreading it evenly.
4. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
5. Cool and serve:
   • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate. If any bananas stick to the pan, gently lift them out and place them back on the cake.
   • Serve the cake warm, and enjoy the delicious combination of caramelized bananas and tender cake!

This Banana Upside-Down Cake is perfect for banana lovers and makes for a lovely dessert or a special breakfast treat. Enjoy!