Banana walnut upside down cake

 
                       Banana Walnut Upside Down Cake
 
 Recipe By     : Bon Appetit 3/96
 Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Cakes
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
                         Topping
    1      cup           golden brown sugar -- packed
      1/4  cup           unsalted butter
    3      tablespoons   pure maple syrup
      1/4  cup           walnuts -- coarsely chopped
    4      large         ripe bananas, peeled & cut diagonally -- 1/4 inch
 slices
                         Cake
    1      cup           flour
    2      teaspoons     baking powder
      1/2  teaspoon      cinnamon
      1/4  teaspoon      salt
      3/4  cup           sugar
    6      tablespoons   unsalted butter -- room temperature
    1      large         egg
      1/2  teaspoon      vanilla
    6      tablespoons   milk
                         sweetened whipped cream -- optional
 
 For topping:  Preheat oven to 325.  Combine sugar and butter in heavy medium
 saucepan; stir over low heat until butter melts and mixture is well blended.
  Pour into a 9" diameter cake pan with 2" high sides.  Spread to coat bottom
 of pan.  Pour maple syrup over sugar mixture.  Sprinkle nuts evenly over.
  Place banana slices in concentric circles on nuts, overlapping slightly and
 covering bottom.
 
 For cake:  Stir flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in medium bowl to
 blend.  Beat sugar and butter in another medium bowl until creamy.  Add egg
 and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy.  Beat in flour mixture alternately
 with milk in 3 additions.  Spoon batter over bananas.  Bake until tester
 inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 55 minutes.
 
 Transfer cake to rack.  Run knife around pan sides.  Cool cake on rack for 30
 minutes.  Place a plate over pan; invert cake.  Let stand 3 minutes, then
 gently lift off the pan.  Serve warm with whipped cream.
 
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