Banana Bread Caramel Topping (Print Version)

Decadent loaf with caramelized bananas and tender crumb using ripe bananas and brown sugar.

# What You'll Need:

→ Topping

01 - ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
02 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 2 to 3 medium/large ripe bananas, sliced into ½ to ¾-inch thick rounds

→ Cake

04 - 1 large egg
05 - ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
06 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
07 - ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil (or liquid-state coconut oil)
08 - ¼ cup sour cream (lite or Greek yogurt may be substituted)
09 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10 - 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 to 3 medium/large bananas)
11 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
12 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
13 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
14 - ¼ teaspoon salt

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil and evenly coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
02 - Melt butter and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 30–45 seconds. Pour caramel into prepared pan.
03 - Place sliced bananas in a single layer over the caramel, spacing slices about ½ inch apart. Set aside.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, sour cream, and vanilla until combined.
05 - Fold mashed bananas into the wet ingredient mixture until evenly incorporated.
06 - Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
07 - Pour batter carefully over banana slices in the pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula if necessary.
08 - Bake for 42–45 minutes until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
09 - Allow cake to cool in pan on a wire rack for at least 3 hours. To invert, lift cake using foil overhang, place a cutting board on top, and flip onto the board.
10 - Slice and serve as desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Moist and flavorful cake using ripe bananas
  • Perfect dessert or brunch treat
02 -
  • Place the pan on a baking sheet during the last minutes of baking to catch any bubbling caramel overflow
  • Store airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week
03 -
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender
  • Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor
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