Upside-Down Caramelized Banana Skillet Cake
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp. butter, divided
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup dark rum
- 5 ripe bananas, divided
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup water
- ¼ tsp. coconut extract
- One 15-ounce package yellow cake mix, one 16.5-ounce package works too
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
- Remove from the microwave and add the rum; whisk until smooth; set aside.
- Slice 4 of the bananas in half widthwise; then quarter each half lengthwise.
- Add the sliced bananas, cut-side down, into the pan; allow them to cook undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the bananas are lightly caramelized; remove the pan from the heat.
- In a separate small bowl, mash the remaining banana; add the eggs, water and vanilla extract; whisk to combine.
- Add the cake mix and whisk until smooth.
- Whisk the brown sugar mixture and pour evenly over the bananas.
- Carefully pour the cake batter evenly into pan, starting from outside and working your way in.
- Remove from the oven and gently release the sides of the cake with the a knife.
- Allow the cake to stand for 2 to 3 minutes; invert the pan onto a serving platter to remove from skillet.
Notes
Caramelizing fruits and vegetables is a simple skill that adds deep delicious flavor to recipes: it actually makes them taste less sweet and gives a deeper, nuttier flavor.
By cutting the bananas into small slices, more of their surface touches the pan and gets caramelized—which adds amazing flavor.