A decadent yet simple stovetop dessert featuring tender vanilla sponge topped with sticky, golden caramelized bananas. No oven required—just a frying pan and ~40 minutes.
💡 Why You'll Love This Recipe
This stovetop upside-down banana cake gives a bakery-style result without an oven. Butter + sugar caramelize the bananas while the cake gently steams to a soft crumb.
- 🌟 Pan-friendly — one pan, minimal cleanup.
- 🍯 Caramelized bananas add sticky, golden sweetness.
- 💰 Uses pantry basics — 1 egg and 2 bananas.
Dietary notes: Suitable for vegetarians (contains egg). Not suitable for vegans or gluten-free unless you swap ingredients.
Serving: 1 cake (~6 slices)
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 60 g sugar
- 130 ml milk
- 2 g salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150 g cake / all-purpose flour
- 5 g baking powder
- 50 ml neutral oil
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 10 g unsalted butter
- 15 g unrefined sugar (for caramel)
🔧 Equipment
- 20cm (8-inch) non-stick frying pan (essential)
- Tight-fitting lid
- Mixing bowl, whisk, sifter, spatula
👨🍳 Procedure
- Whisk the wet base: In a bowl, crack 1 egg. Add 60 g sugar, 2 g salt and 1 tsp vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Pour in 130 ml milk and 50 ml oil; whisk to combine.
- Add dry: Sift 150 g flour and 5 g baking powder into the wet mix. Fold gently with a spatula — stop as soon as dry streaks disappear. Do not overmix.
- Create caramel base: Place your cold 20 cm pan on the stove. Spread 10 g butter across the base and sprinkle 15 g sugar evenly.
- Layer bananas: Peel and slice 2 bananas lengthwise (or rounds). Arrange them cut-side down over the butter-sugar layer.
- Steam-bake: Pour batter over bananas, smooth top. Cover and set flame to very low. Cook for 25 minutes (low heat prevents burning).
- The flip: Check top is set. Run spatula around edges; use a plate to invert the cake. Slide the cake back into the pan (banana side up) and cook 4–6 more minutes to finish center.
- Serve: Transfer to a plate, slice into ~6 pieces, serve warm.
💡 Chef's Tips
- Use 20cm pan — larger pans make a thin cake.
- If you hear loud sizzling, reduce heat or use a heat diffuser.
- Brown/unrefined sugar gives richer caramel color & flavor.
🔀 Variations
- Chocolate Banana: add 1 tbsp cocoa + chocolate chips.
- Cinnamon: sprinkle ½ tsp cinnamon on sugar before bananas.
📦 Storage
Room temp: 2 days; Fridge: 4–5 days. Microwave 10–15s to warm a slice.
📊 Nutrition (est.)
Per slice:
~ 270 kcal;
Carbs 40g
Fat 11g
Protein 4g
🎥 Video
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I use water instead of milk?
A: You can, but milk gives better richness and texture.
Q: My cake burned—why?
A: Heat too high; reduce flame or use a diffuser.
Q: Can I use whole wheat?
A: Yes — cake will be denser; try 50/50 mix for lighter crumb.
📢 Final Note
Tried this? Share a photo & tag us — we'd love to see your cake!