BANANA WALNUT UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

I've had this recipe in my collection forever, and finally made this cake because I bought too many bananas, and needed to use the ripe fruit before the weekend. This is very sweet, so I served a small portion in a ramekin and topped it with vanilla ice cream. Plenty of sweet for me! My office mates loved it. The recipe is from Bon Appétit | March 1996 and can be found on Epicurious. 

Banana Walnut Upside Down Cake 


"The upside-down cake—so popular in the fifties and sixties—has been making a come-back lately. This version has a banana, walnut and maple topping, and tender cake". 


Topping:
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
4 large ripe bananas... peeled, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch-thick slices


Cake:
1 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons milk


For topping: Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine sugar and butter in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until butter melts and mixture is well blended. Pour into 9-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides. Spread to coat bottom of pan. Pour maple syrup over sugar mixture. Sprinkle nuts evenly over. Place banana slices in concentric circles on nuts, overlapping slightly and covering bottom. 


 For cake: Stir flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in medium bowl to blend. Beat sugar and butter in another medium bowl until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Beat in flour mixture alternately with milk in 3 additions. Spoon batter over bananas. Bake until tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Transfer cake to rack. Run knife around pan sides. Cool cake on rack 30 minutes. Place plate over pan; invert cake. Let stand 3 minutes, then gently lift off pan. Serve warm with whipped cream.


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Debbie