Monday, May 23, 2011

Chocolate-Caramel-Banana Upside-Down Cake

This is one delicious and tasty cake! If you have some bananas in your house, make this cake! If you do not have any bananas, go out and buy some, and make this cake! Yes, it is that good! 




The yummy caramel made of butter and brown sugar is cooked and poured into the cake pan, top with slices of bananas and then the batter. Place the pan in the oven and then wait!




About five minutes after baking, turn out the cake onto a plate and gosh, all the yummy, gooey, delicious caramel will flow down on the cake. Wait for 20 minutes, then slice and enjoy!




Just this one cake alone is worth getting the book "Cake Keeper Cakes" by Lauren Chattman. This is the second recipe I've tried, the first one being the Nutella Swirl Pound Cake, and without a doubt, this book is getting to be among my favourites.




My daughter asked for a small slice, saying she wasn't hungry. Moments later, she came back into the kitchen with her empty plate and asked for a second piece, "Bigger, please!"




The texture of the cake is brownie-like, soft, really moist with all the caramel flowing and soaking into it, full of chocolate flavour with just the right amount of sweetness (I reduced the sugar slightly), a spoonful of this yummy cake with the caramelized bananas is an absolute divine! Eat it while still warm with all the gooey caramel around it or eat it at room temperature when the caramel has been absorbed into the cake, either way, it tastes just as good!


A slice of this is not enough, maybe perhaps a BIG slice!


Yummy deliciousness!
(adapted from "Cake Keeper Cakes" by Lauren Chattman)
Serves 8
For The Topping :
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (I use less 2 tbsp)
3 ripe bananas, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices


For The Cake :
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder, sifted
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar (I use 3/4 cup)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup buttermilk (I substitute with 4-5 tablespoons milk and top up with homemade yoghurt to get 2/3 cup, stir well)


Make the topping :
  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9-inch round nonstick pan and dust with flour.
  2. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over a medium heat until foaming. Whisk in the brown sugar, turn the heat to low, and cook, whisking, for 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth with a spatula. Arrange the banana slices in concentric circles on top of the sugar mixture. Set aside.

Make The Cake :
  1. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
  2. Combine the butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl and cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides after each. Turn the mixer to high speed and beat until the mixture is light and increased in volume, about 2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla.
  4. With the mixer on low, stir in 1/3 of the flour mixture. Stir in 1/2 of the buttermilk. Repeat with the remaining flour and milk, ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat the batter on high speed for 30 seconds.
  5. Pour the batter over the bananas, gently spreading it into an even layer.
  6. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let stand for 5 minutes. Holding the pan and a plate together with oven mitts, immediately invert the hot cake onto the plate. If necessary, replace any fruit stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let the cake cool for 20 minutes and serve warm, or serve at room temperature. Store uneaten cake in a cake keeper, or wrap in plastic and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.

45 comments:

  1. Too funny Joy, I posted a chocolate caramel banana cake last week. Isn't it a great combination? I'll have to try your version - it looks fabulous! I don't blame your daughter for wanting a second piece. Have a great week!

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  2. Hola!
    Qué bueno, es como un tatín de plátano.
    Un saludito

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  3. Love the texture of the cake and the banana slice on top is so superb. great combo.

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  4. How delicious! Bananas and strawberries must be in season because all the bloggers I follow are featuring one of these two. I'll definitely be giving your cake a try!

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  5. My dear friend
    What beautiful cake !!! I love it!
    Thank you
    Many greetings and kisses

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  6. OMG, terrific! Looks devilishly scrumptious n chocolatee :)
    US Masala

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  7. Cake looks wonderful, marvelous, delicious... Can't stop drooling over it.
    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  8. I had never heard of banana upside down cake but it looks fantastic. I want to check out that cake keepers book! I can totally see why your daughter would want a bigger piece :)

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  9. Interesting. Never saw that before.

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  10. Ooooh YUM!!! Im speechless : )

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  11. Omg, wat a gorgeous and irresistible cake, feel like having a slice...simply delicious..

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  12. I'd be too impatient to put this in the pan and wait! It looks too yummy!

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  13. Hello, I loved the recipe, this is delicious and beautiful cake. Have a nice week. kisses, Marta.

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  14. Oh my goodness! Caramelized bananas sound so fantastic! This cake really looks good. I would be like your daughter, having trouble eating only one slice!!

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  15. i'm really drooling here especially looking at the last picture! I guess this is really something so good not to be missed!

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  16. This cake is so moist! With caramelized bananas...I'm speechless!

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  17. All of that caramel sounds scrumptious with the bananas! And your pictures make me want to reach in and grab a piece!

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  18. I'm totally drooling on this cake. Love the caramelisation on the banana.

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  19. Two Words Incredibly & outtasight!
    I'll take bananas over pineapple any day! Awesome post dear!

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  20. Omg, this cake is gorgeous and looks sinfully delicious! What a fabulous combination of flavors and I can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. This looks sooooo good! I'm saving this recipe- it's a keeper! :)

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  22. This cake sounds really decadent! caramel and banana sounds like a winning combination!

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  23. You are tempting me to make this .. looks good.

    Vardhini
    VardhinisKitchen

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  24. Mamma mia, this looks so delicious and beautiful, love de flavors.
    kisses.

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  25. drooling!...drooling!...I want a big bite!! What a delightfully delicious looking cake!!! beh tahan!! must definitely try out this recipe.....love and kisses...

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  26. Forget about cutting into slices...i want to eat the whole cake..lau nuar..

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  27. Yummie, your banana up-side down cake looks delicious with chocolate cake. Would love to have one slice right now with my coffee. Have a great week :-)

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  28. That is a glorious looking cake! So yummy! I love banana cake, never had it upside down and packed with tasty caramel. Mmmm. Thanks so much for sharing and for the well wishes for my mom

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  29. Exquisita torta se ve muy linda,de chocolate con salsa morena está estupenda,me encanta,cariños y abrazos.

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  30. I'm not sure where to turn...to this delicious dessert or the wonderful pasta you posted below! Perhaps a little of each :) Wonderful recipes and photos.

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  31. Hi friends,
    Thank you for stopping by! And thank you too for all your lovely comments. This is a really good cake. Do try it out and hope you love eating it as much as we do! Have a nice day!

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  32. Mamma mia questa è davvero favolosa e morbidosa!
    Bacio

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  33. Hi Joy, sharing this wonderful cake on my Wednesday post. thanks!

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  34. This looks amazing. I love the chocolate banana combo - my favorite! I really can't say no to anything chocolate and banana.

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  35. I've never seen this cake before. I must say I'm quite taken with it. The flavors are all lovely and in combination they make for a real taste treat. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  36. This looks amazing! I haven't seen anything like it! I love new recipes! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would check out my blog and follow me too! thanks!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

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  37. i've been trying to leave a comment and finally, it allow me to do it!!
    anyways, the cake look really chocolatey, moist and fluffy! the caramel look like it goes soooo well with the cake! im sure it taste YUMMY! (:

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  38. Caramel, brown sugar, bananas - winning combination! Would love for you to share this at Fat Camp Friday this weekend. One recipe is picked every Monday and featured on my front page all week! http://tiny.cc/FatCampFriday29

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  39. Hi! First time here.
    The cake looks amazing, simply awesome, bookmarked to try.
    Pari

    FOODELICIOUS

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  40. This is such a lovely cake. I think I'll love the caramel banana better than traditional pineapples! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.

    BTW, I'm hosting a Giveaway on my blog and here's the link: http://utry.it/2011/05/hong-kong-macau-and-australia-trippart.html

    Please stop by to enter for a chance to win. Have a wonderful day.

    Amy
    http://utry.it

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  41. Hi Joy,
    Banana's and caramel what a wonderful treat in a cake and add chocolate its over the top. This just looks delicious. This is on my to try list. Thanks for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!

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  42. What a delightful cake...I adore caramel! Plus it is just so pretty :)

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  43. This masterpiece is being featured at Bake with Bizzy. Come on over and bring a new recipe. I love your baked goods. I love your blog.

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