Banana Bourbon Upside Down Cake

If you ask me, some of the best desserts always contain fruit...and when you add alcohol to the mix that doesn't hurt either..

There's something so thrilling about making an upside down cake (was that a totally chef nerd thing to say?) you wait in anticipation while it's in the oven and then there's that moment before you flip it over to reveal the beautifully aligned fruit with the caramelized sugar juices slowly drizzling down the side. It's a beautiful sight.
The cake itself is super moist and the baked bourbon bananas create a sinfully delicious combo. This cake is best served straight from the oven but it will remain moist for about five days after.


Bananas Bourbon Upside Down Cake

Recipe adapted from Food.com

1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup plus 1/2 cup butter
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 TBS bourbon
3 bananas (large, yellow but firm with green tips, sliced diagonally into 1/4-inch pieces)
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place brown sugar, 1/4 cup of the butter and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Heat over medium low heat until butter is melted and mixture is smooth, stirring occasionally. Stir in bourbon and pour into a 9-inch round cake pan.

2.Arrange banana slices in circles over brown sugar mixture.

3.Place remaining 1/2 cup butter and sugar in a large bowl; beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating will after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

4.In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.At low speed, beat in flour mixture in parts alternating with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon and gently spread batter over bananas.

5.Bake 45-55 min or until cake is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 15 minute. Run small knife around edge of cake; carefully invert cake onto serving plate. Serve warm.