This Banana Upside Down Cake brings tropical flair to your Sweet Sundae with its gorgeous presentation of caramelized banana slices nestled in rich brown sugar caramel. The tender, buttermilk-kissed cake provides the perfect base for the sweet, gooey topping that forms during baking. When inverted, it reveals a stunning pattern of golden bananas that tastes even better than it looks—perfect for impressing guests or treating your family to something special.
If you love fruit-forward cakes with dramatic presentations, you’ll also enjoy our Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake with its bold cherry topping and rich chocolate base. For another banana-inspired treat, try the Hawaiian Banana Bread with Coconut & Pineapple—it captures similar tropical vibes in a completely different format.
Banana Upside Down Cake
Banana Upside Down Cake features tender, moist cake topped with caramelized bananas in rich brown sugar sauce, creating a stunning presentation and incredible flavor.
8
servings20
minutes45
minutes350
kcal1
hour5
minutesIngredients
0.5 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
3 ripe bananas
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.5 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add brown sugar until it is fully absorbed, forming a caramel sauce.
- Pour the caramel sauce into the bottom of the prepared cake pan, ensuring it spreads evenly across the base.
- Slice the bananas horizontally and arrange them over the caramel sauce in an overlapping pattern to cover the bottom of the pan.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Add the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients, and mix just until the batter is smooth and no lumps remain.
- Pour the cake batter over the layer of bananas and caramel in the cake pan, spreading it evenly to the edges.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a serving plate.
- Serve the cake warm or at room temperature, and enjoy a slice of this banana caramel delight.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 350kcal
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 620mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 6g
- Calcium: 60mg
- Iron: 2mg
Can’t get enough of great flavors? Check out these popular recipes that readers love making again and again.
For impressive weekend entertaining, our Savory Garlic Butter Ribeye and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken create restaurant-quality meals at home. When you want comforting classics that please everyone, the French Onion Potatoes and One Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies deliver satisfying flavors with easy cleanup. Need make-ahead options for busy schedules? Our Crockpot French Onion Meatballs and Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake Casserole prep beautifully for stress-free serving.
Browse our full collection for more kitchen inspiration that’ll have your family asking for seconds.
