Caramel Walnut Upside-Down Banana Cake

Circle B Kitchen

Topping:

Nonstick vegetable oil spray

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

¾ cup (packed) golden brown sugar

1 tablespoon dark rum

3/4 cup walnut halves or pieces

Cake:

1 3/4 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 to 3 bananas)

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons dark rum

1 teaspoon banana extract

Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving

Preheat oven to 350°F.

For topping:

Spray 9-inch round cake pan with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray.

Bring butter and sugar to a boil in medium saucepan, stirring constantly until butter melts. Stir in rum. Pour the caramel into the prepared pan and sprinkle evenly with the nuts. Let this cool completely.

For cake:

Whisk first 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in large bowl until blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then mashed bananas, sour cream, rum, and vanilla. Beat in dry ingredients in 2 additions just until combined. Spoon batter into pan.

Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool 15 minutes. Cut around cake. Place platter over pan. Holding pan and platter together, turn over. Let stand 5 minutes, then gently lift off pan. Cool at least 15 minutes for topping to set. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.