Banana Upside-Down Cake

Sweet, gooey, and delicious, everyone will go wild for the moist texture of this banana upside-down cake. The upside-down cake recipe features a brown sugar-glazed banana topping over top of a sweet banana cake.

Banana Upside Down Cake Ingredients

Substitutions And Additions

BAKING SODA AND BAKING POWDER: These are two different things.

It’s possible to make this recipe if you only have one, but you need to know that baking soda is three times as powerful as baking powder and substitute accordingly.

If you’re using only baking soda in place of powder, you’ll also need to add a squeeze of lemon juice to activate it.

BUTTERMILK: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and stir.

COCONUT AND PINEAPPLE: For a tropical twist on this classic banana upside-down cake, add flaked coconut and canned pineapple chunks to the mixture.

ALCOHOL: Give your cake an extra warming flavor by adding a splash of bourbon, whiskey, dark rum, or banana liqueur.

CAKE MIX: If you’re short on time, you could substitute yellow cake mix instead of making the cake from scratch.

How To Make This Banana Upside Down Cake Recipe

Our easy steps below will walk you through making this delectable cake. Let’s get started!

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round springform pan.

STEP TWO: First, make the topping. As this is an upside-down cake, the topping will sit at the bottom of the pan so we’ll be starting with the banana layer.

Combine the brown sugar and melted butter in a bowl.

When it’s well mixed, pour into the pan and spread out in an even layer with a rubber spatula.

Place the sliced bananas directly on top of the butter and sugar mixture.

STEP THREE: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.

STEP FOUR: In a separate medium bowl, add the brown sugar, white sugar, mashed banana, buttermilk, vanilla extract, oil, and eggs.

Use an electric mixer at medium speed to beat and combine.

STEP FIVE: Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix together with a spoon.

Add the remaining dry ingredients and stir until no white streaks of flour remain.

STEP SIX: Pour the cake batter over the top of the bananas. Spread evenly in the pan.

STEP SEVEN: Place into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.

STEP EIGHT: Remove from the oven and insert a toothpick into the cake to check if it’s done. If it’s done, the toothpick will come out clean.

If it’s not done, put it back into the oven for a further three minutes and check again.

STEP NINE: Let the cake cool in the pan for five to seven minutes. To remove from the pan, place a large serving dish on the top of the pan and flip the cake over.

Serve warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

How To Serve

This amazing banana layer cake is divine on its own but you can add a dollop of whipped cream and a scoop of our no-churn vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.

Try adding some caramel sauce or drizzled hot fudge sauce for an extra layer of decadence.

This cake is sure to impress with its beautiful layer of bananas on top and would be a perfect choice to serve to guests at a dinner party.

If you’re hosting a brunch, consider serving the cake as a unique addition to your spread.

Cut it into small pieces and arrange them on a platter with fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Next time you take a coffee break, enjoy a slice of banana upside-down cake alongside your favorite brew, a pumpkin spice latte, or a creamy peanut butter frozen hot chocolate.

For more banana-y cakes to make at home, take a look at our banana pudding cake and this Southern-style banana split cake.

When To Serve

FAMILY GATHERINGS: Bake this cake for a variety of occasions from a cozy Sunday dinner, a birthday celebration, or a holiday get-together.

WEEKEND BRUNCH: Surprise your weekend brunch guests with a slice of banana upside-down cake alongside other breakfast favorites.

POTLUCK PARTIES: Bring this cake to your next cookout and watch it disappear quickly. Its sweet and fruity goodness is always a hit, and it’s easy to transport.

PICNICS: Pack slices of this cake for a day in the park or at the beach.

DINNER PARTIES: Impress your dinner party guests by serving banana upside-down cake as the grand finale to your main dishes.

COFFEE BREAKS: Enjoy a slice of this cake during your afternoon coffee break or as a sweet treat to accompany your morning coffee or tea.

Storing This Banana Upside Down Cake Recipe

Let’s make sure you can savor this dessert to the fullest!

MAKE AHEAD: If you’d like to get a head start on your cake, you can prepare it a day in advance.

Simply follow the recipe until you’ve baked the cake, then allow it to cool completely.

Once it’s cool, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it at room temperature.

When you’re ready to serve, you can warm it up slightly in the microwave or enjoy it as is.

IN THE FRIDGE: Banana upside-down cake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

You can eat it cold, but we recommend microwaving it for 30 seconds before serving.

IN THE FREEZER: To freeze this cake for up to three months, you should wrap each piece in plastic wrap or foil and then place them into an airtight container.

Thaw overnight in the fridge before warming in the microwave.

Why We Love This Recipe

CARAMELIZED BANANAS: The star of this dessert is the luscious layer of caramelized bananas on top.

SIMPLE YET STUNNING PRESENTATION: This cake’s upside-down presentation is not only visually appealing but also incredibly easy to achieve.

MOIST AND FLAVORFUL CAKE: The cake itself is moist and rich, with a banana flavor that shines through.

We’re sure that you’ll love this banana upside-down cake recipe. Whether you make the classic version or add tropical fruit and liquor, this moist and flavorsome dessert is one that you’ll want to make again and again.

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• Cherry Chip Cake
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