The Perfect Party Cake

Milena Kukurekovic

Banana-Coconut Upside-Down Cake 

 

If you ever need the perfect cake for a special celebration like a birthday party, bridal bash, baby shower, or summer gathering – this is it! 

Prep Time: 12 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Yield: Serves 8 Cost per Serving: $.93

 

The magic of this delicious upside-down cake is in the reveal: invert the cooled cake over a serving dish and that little flip does all the work for you. Upside-down cakes really are maximum impact with minimum effort.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

Topping:
 
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 bananas, sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 2 cups loosely packed shredded coconut
 
Cake:
 
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick (1/4 lb.) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk

 

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F.
 
Step 2: Make topping: Melt butter over medium-high heat in a 10- or 12-inch ovenproof skillet at least 2 inches deep. Stir in brown sugar and cook, stirring often, until smooth, about 1 minute. Add lemon juice; stir until bubbling, about 1 minute. Arrange bananas in a flat layer over the bottom of the pan and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle coconut on top; remove from heat.
 
Step 3: Make the cake: Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, beat butter on high speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add sugar; beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed and add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with flour.
 
Step 4: Pour batter over bananas and coconut; spread evenly. Be careful not to mix bananas and coconut into the batter.
  
Step 5: Bake until cake springs back slightly when touched in the center, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cake sit in the skillet for 5 minutes to allow juices to blend into the cake. Run a knife around outside of the cake to loosen, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature, with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. 
  
 

Party on, Smarties! With love Smarty had a Party!

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