Bananas Foster Upside Down Cake

For the caramel layer:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rum
• 3 bananas, sliced 1/2 inch thick

For the cake:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter. Set aside.
2. First, make the caramel layer: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in rum.
3. Pour into bottom of prepared cake pan and arrange sliced bananas neatly over it. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, make the cake batter:
5. Mix together brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, mashed bananas, and vanilla. Using an electric mixer, beat until just combined.
6. Add flour, baking powder, and salt and mix to combine. Gradually add milk and mix again.
7. Pour batter over banana layer and carefully transfer to oven. Bake until cake is golden and set in the center, about 45 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and let sit exactly 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate with a bit of a rim to contain caramel.
9. Allow to cool, slice, and serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!