Banana Upside Down Cake

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This easy Banana Upside Down Cake recipe is made from a cake mix so it’s super simple and quick and uses far fewer ingredients than its caramelized cake counterpart.

Deliciously moist with bananas baked both in the batter and on the bottom of the cake pan, it’s the best way to use up your bunch of ripe bananas in this partially homemade dessert.

Caramelized Banana Upside Down Cake

Our double Banana Upside Down Cake is deliciously dense, yet soft, and full of flavor because there’s banana mixed into the cake batter and baked in a layer “on top.”

I love using a cake mix to create simple shortcuts, especially when it saves time in the kitchen without compromising the taste.

Making this upside-down banana cake begins by pouring a sweet butter mixture into the bottom of a springform pan, topping it with sliced bananas, then covering it with an easy-to-make batter that bakes above it all as fruit becomes caramelized (similar to a bananas foster).

Like a cross between banana bread and a classic pineapple upside-down cake, this is a delicious dessert that can even be served for breakfast.

Why We Love This Upside-down Banana Cake Recipe

Quick and easy to make with a cake mix shortcut.
Uses simple kitchen staple ingredients.
Sticky butter and brown sugar topping caramelize the bananas as the cake bakes.
Sweet sugar-glazed bananas sit beautifully on top an inverted cake.
Delicious dessert that is also a great breakfast or snack option.
Perfect for serving at a dinner party, potluck, or special occasions.

Ingredients for Banana Upside Down Cake

Yellow cake mix: You can make this will a gluten free cake mix too!
Whole milk: Feel free to switch this out for half and half or water.
Bananas: Feel free to go more classic and use sliced pineapple rings for a Pineapple upside-down cake.
Vegetable oil
Eggs
Light brown sugar
Salted butter: You can replace this with unsalted butter, but add a little pinch of salt for extra flavor.

Substitutions and Additions

Change The Cake Mix: You can use a vanilla, spice, or white cake mix for this recipe instead of the yellow cake mix. Or, bake your favorite homemade cake recipe.
Use Another Oil: Feel free to use another oil, like grapeseed oil or canola oil. You can also use melted butter in a 1:1 ratio.
Serving Suggestions: Add some indulgence to your dessert with a scoop of ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Create Some Crunch: You can add some chopped nuts to the batter, like walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, and pecans.

Banana Upside Down Cake one slice on a plate

Recommended Tools

Deep 9 inch springform pan or baking pan
Large and small mixing bowls
Cooking spray or parchment paper
Serving plate or cake plate

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How to Make Banana Upside-Down Cake

Prepare The Cake Batter: Combine the cake mix, milk, mashed bananas, oil, and eggs. Set aside.
Make The Butter Mixture: Whisk the sugar with the melted butter until combined.
Prepare The Pan: Pour the butter mixture into the bottom of the pan. Place the sliced bananas in a layer, flat side down, on top. Cover with the cake batter.
Pro Tip: When sliding the bananas into place, press lightly.
Bake: Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes.
Cool: Run a knife along the edges of the pan and let the cake cool for 10 minutes before removing.
Flip: Flip the cake onto a plate so that the bananas face up. Remove the pan from around the cake.
Serve: Slice before serving warm or cooled. Enjoy!

Tip From Our Recipe Developer

You can use a hand or stand mixer, or you can use a stirring spoon or whisk, to mix the cake batter.
Some springform pans of lower quality can be kind of “leaky.” If that is the case, you can wrap some aluminum foil around the outside of the base to keep your oven clean.
Try to get three long slices out of each banana. If you don’t, that’s okay; you will just have more space between slices.
Be careful when flipping the cake over onto the cake plate or you risk your cake falling apart.

Storage

To Store: Banana upside-down cake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To Freeze: To freeze your cake, wrap it in plastic wrap then place it into a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the fridge, before warming in the microwave.
To Reheat: You can eat your cake cold or warmed in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store Banana Cake?

You can store this cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one week. You can also freeze it, but make sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. It will last for about 3 months in the freezer, and you can thaw it in the refrigerator.

What is the best way to arrange the banana slices?

You can decide how you want to place the banana slices for either a lovely aesthetic or to pack in as many bananas as possible. Try some even lines of banana slices, or place them all as close as possible. It’s up to you.

What is the best way to flip my cake onto a cake plate?

The best way to flip the cake is to place a plate atop the springform pan before flipping it over, so that it drops as little as possible. If you don’t flip with caution, the cake will fall apart. Alternatively, you can remove the ring from the cake and then place the cake plate directly on the cake and flip it so that it doesn’t drop at all.

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