Banana and Chocolate Chip Upside Down Cake
Desserts
⅓ cp plus 2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter; cubed, at room temp
3-4 medium bananas
a few drops lemon juice
1½ cups (210 g) flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1 cup (250 g) banana puree (about 2 bananas)
½ cup sour cream, regular or low-fat
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup chocolate chips or chopped bittersweet chocolate
To make the topping, place the brown sugar and butter in an 8-inch (20 cm) square cake pan. Warm the pan directly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring until the sugar is moist and bubbling, then remove from heat. (It won't melt completely smooth, and there may be a few bare spots, which is normal.) Let cool to room temperature. Peel and slice the bananas in 1/4-inch (1 cm) slices. Arrange them in slightly overlapping rows over the melted brown sugar. Sprinkle with a few drops of lemon juice.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl, making sure there are no lumps. Mix in the granulated sugar.
In a small bowl, mix together the butter, egg, egg white, banana puree, sour cream, and vanilla.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and stir in the wet ingredients until almost combined. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the chocolate pieces. Scrape the batter into the pan over the bananas, then use a spatula to carefully spread the batter over the sliced fruit.
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the cake feels just set in the center when you touch it. Cool the cake for about 20 minutes, then run a knife along the edges of the cake to help it release from the pan. Invert the cake onto a serving platter.
Serving: The cake is best served warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or by itself as a snack. If made an hour or so in advance, it can be inverted on the serving platter, and left with the cake pan over it, to keep it warm. Otherwise is can be rewarmed in a low over, covered with foil. Or enjoyed at room temperature.
Storage: The cake can be made up to two days in advance, although it is best the day it's made. To freeze it, wrap it securely in plastic wrap; it can be frozen for one to two months.