This recipe takes advantage of the versatility of a frying pan to create a unique and delicious dessert. The combination of caramelized bananas and moist cake batter results in a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. While it might seem unconventional to bake a cake in a frying pan, this method offers a surprising outcome that is both satisfying and impressive.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 60g (6 Tbsp) granulated sugar
- 130ml milk
- 2g (1/2 tsp) salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150g (1 1/4 cups) cake flour or all-purpose flour
- 5g (2/3 Tbsp) baking powder
- 50ml cooking oil
- 10g unsalted butter
- 15g (1.5 Tbsp) unrefined sugar or regular sugar
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
Equipment:
- 20cm small frying pan
- Lid for the frying pan
- Plate or serving dish
Instructions:
Preparing the Batter:
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate the milk, salt, and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, gently folding until just combined. Overmixing can result in a tough cake.
- Create a Smooth Batter: Stir in the cooking oil until the batter reaches a smooth consistency.
Caramelizing the Bananas:
- Prepare the Pan: Place the frying pan over low heat. Add the unsalted butter and allow it to melt evenly.
- Create a Sweet Base: Sprinkle the unrefined sugar over the melted butter. Once the sugar begins to caramelize, distribute the banana slices evenly over the caramelized sugar.
Baking the Cake:
- Pour Batter: Carefully pour the prepared batter over the bananas in the frying pan.
- Cover and Cook: Place a lid on the frying pan and cook over low heat for approximately 25 minutes, or until the cake is cooked through and the bottom is golden brown.
- Monitor Cooking: Periodically check the cake’s progress. If the cooking sounds excessive, reduce the heat. Conversely, if there’s little to no activity, increase the heat slightly.
Serving:
- Invert Carefully: Once the cake is cooked, carefully invert the frying pan onto a plate to release the cake.
- Adjust Appearance: If desired, return the cake to the pan and cook the other side for a few minutes to achieve a desired caramelization.
- Serve Warm: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving.
Serving Suggestions:
- For a classic combination, serve the cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Enhance the flavors with a drizzle of caramel sauce or chocolate syrup.
- Add a touch of freshness with whipped cream and fresh berries.
- Experiment with different toppings like toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, consider using brown sugar instead of white sugar for the caramelized base.
- To add depth, infuse the vanilla extract with coffee beans for a subtle coffee undertone.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
- To accommodate dietary restrictions, explore vegan butter and plant-based milk alternatives.
This No-Oven Banana Upside-Down Cake is a delightful treat that combines simplicity with impressive results. Enjoy the satisfaction of creating a delicious dessert without heating up your kitchen!