Tropical Pineapple-Banana Upside-Down Cake
Delight in the tropical flavors of this moist and decadent Pineapple-Banana Upside-Down Cake. Baked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet, this dessert features a caramelized layer of sweet pineapple and bananas nestled under a fluffy vanilla cake. Inspired by a cherished recipe from Cooking Light magazine, this cake boasts a crisp edge and a meltingly tender center that pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Ideal for gatherings and celebrations, this cake is sure to impress your family and friends with its stunning presentation and delightful taste.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
Brown Sugar
3/4 cup (packed)
Pineapple Slices
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can (undrained)
All-Purpose Flour
1 cup (sifted)
Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup (none)
Baking Powder
1 teaspoon (none)
Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Ripe Banana
1 (mashed)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Large Egg
1 (beaten)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a 9-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter.
3
Carefully drain the pineapple slices over a bowl to reserve 1/2 cup of the juice.
4
Arrange one pineapple ring in the center of the skillet and cut the remaining pineapple rings in half, arranging them in a decorative pattern around the center ring.
5
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
6
In another bowl, combine the reserved pineapple juice, mashed banana, vegetable oil, and egg. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth.
7
Pour the banana and juice mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
8
Pour the batter over the arranged pineapples in the skillet, smoothing the top with a spatula.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
10
Let the cake cool for a few minutes, then carefully invert it onto a wire rack. Serve warm or allow to cool to room temperature before slicing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary flavors of the Tropical Pineapple-Banana Upside-Down Cake?
The cake features a tropical blend of sweet pineapple and ripe bananas paired with a fluffy vanilla cake and a hint of ground cinnamon.
What size skillet is required for this recipe?
A 9-inch cast-iron skillet is used to bake this cake to achieve its signature crisp edges.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How do I prepare the caramelized topping?
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet over medium heat, then remove from heat and sprinkle 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar evenly over the butter.
Should I drain the pineapple slices?
Yes, drain the pineapple slices but make sure to reserve 1/2 cup of the juice to use in the cake batter.
How should the pineapple be arranged in the skillet?
Place one whole ring in the center and arrange halved rings in a decorative pattern around it.
What dry ingredients are needed for the cake?
The dry ingredients include all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
What wet ingredients are mixed together?
The wet mixture consists of reserved pineapple juice, one mashed ripe banana, vegetable oil, and one beaten egg.
How long should the cake be baked?
Bake the cake for approximately 30 minutes.
How can I tell if the cake is finished baking?
The cake is done when a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
When should I invert the cake?
Let the cake cool in the skillet for a few minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack.
What is the best way to serve this cake?
It can be served warm or at room temperature, ideally with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Is the flour sifted for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 cup of sifted all-purpose flour.
How many bananas are required?
The recipe requires one ripe banana, mashed.
What type of oil is used in the batter?
Two tablespoons of vegetable oil are used in the batter.
How much granulated sugar is in the cake?
The cake batter includes 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
What provides the leavening for the cake?
The cake uses a combination of 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
What size can of pineapple slices is needed?
A 15.5-ounce can of pineapple slices is used.
Is there cinnamon in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is added to the dry ingredients for flavor.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
This cake is inspired by a cherished recipe from Cooking Light magazine.
Can I use a regular cake pan instead of cast-iron?
While a cast-iron skillet provides a crisp edge, a standard 9-inch cake pan can be used as a substitute.
How much brown sugar is used for the topping?
The topping uses 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar.
How many eggs are in the batter?
One large egg, beaten, is required for this recipe.
What is the texture of the cake?
The cake is described as moist and decadent with a meltingly tender center.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
What should I be careful of when mixing the batter?
Be careful not to overmix the batter; stir gently until the ingredients are just combined.
Is the butter melted before adding sugar?
Yes, the butter is melted in the skillet over medium heat before the brown sugar is added.
How much pineapple juice is needed for the batter?
The batter requires exactly 1/2 cup of reserved pineapple juice.
What makes this an 'upside-down' cake?
The fruit and caramel layer are placed at the bottom of the pan and the cake is inverted after baking so the fruit ends up on top.
Is this cake suitable for celebrations?
Yes, its stunning presentation and delightful tropical taste make it ideal for gatherings and celebrations.