Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Banana Coconut Upside Down Cake

Banana Coconut Upside Down Cake
Lawsy mercy it has been a while since I've sat down and chatted with you.-- just about three months from the looks of it.  I've missed you all, but I have anonymously stopped by your blogs and oogled and ahhed over your recipes.

I hadn't been feeling tip top for about a year, mostly exhausted, and I thought it was just work-related stress.  Then I developed some unpleasant symptoms which could not be ignored, and to make a long story short, I had a totally unsuspected, potentially life-threatening diagnosis, followed up with some surgery.  I was out of work for six weeks, and have only been back four weeks.  I'm slowly getting my vim and vigor back,  and ever so grateful to be alive.  Time will tell the final prognosis but so far I've been given the green light.

I have to smile. Per doctor's orders, Ole Sweetie-Pi was in charge of the kitchen, grocery shopping, cat boxes, laundry, and just about everything else. I wasn't even supposed to go for car rides in the first stages of healing. Talk about cabin fever. I don't think I've eaten as many submarine sandwiches or frozen dinners as I did during those six weeks.  It's a time I'll look back with fondness.  Ole Sweetie-Pi really came through. 

Anyway, as I make my way back into the kitchen, I'm starting on light (as in weight and time involved, not so much in calories, smiles) cooking.  I used to be quite a snob when it came to boxed cake mixes, but not any more.  They are yummy good!  I found this recipe in one my daily food-related emails, probably Mr. Foods or Recipe Lion, but whatever the source, the recipe was linked to Tablespoon.com.  The minute I saw it, I knew I had to have it. 

This recipe, which makes two single-layer cakes,  is easy to prepare and the result far outweighs the effort.  I made it for dessert for a Saturday night dinner, but promptly ate it as a brunch cake the following Sunday morning.  It was perfect with a steaming cup of hot coffee. 

Banana Coconut Upside Down Cake

1 yellow cake mix
3 whole eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water

6 bananas, sliced, divided between two pans
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut, divided between two pans

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350* Fahrenheit.  Spray or   grease and flour  two deep 8-inch round cake pans. (I think my cake pans are 8 inches round by 2 inches deep, and I had just barely enough space for the risen cake.)

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cake mix, eggs, oil, water and sour cream on low until combined.  Increase speed to high and beat for 2 minutes.

Slice bananas evenly over the bottom of the two cake pans.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter.  Add the brown sugar and lemon juice and heat until dissolved.  Pour half of the brown sugar mixture into each of the two cake pans, over the bananas.  Sprinkle coconut over the brown sugar sauce.

Pour the cake batter on top of the coconut, dividing equally between the two pans.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until cake tests done with a toothpick.  Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.  Invert onto serving platter.  Slice to serve.
Cake is probably best the day it is served, but leftovers can be stored overnight in the refrigerator. Much beyond that and the bananas might not be as appealing as you would wish.

17 comments:

  1. Welcome back to the kitchen Katy, you've been missed!!! This cake looks delicious, what a nice flavor combo.

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  2. I've missed your posts (and your visits). I do hope your healing will be speedy and that you'll be feeling tip top in no time. Hugs. xx

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  3. p.s. I forgot to say that the cake look good and yummy.

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  4. Katy, I'm so sorry you have been ill. I hope you truly are on the mend and all will go well for you. This cake looks delicious. Please keep getting better.

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  5. Katy, I'm so sorry to hear that you have been sick but happy to hear that you are well on the mend. I don't know why there is such a big deal about using cake mixes, I admit to being the same way but on occasion have had great success using them. So good that you had Ole Sweetie Pi to take care of you. Continued healing for you in the days to come. Take care of yourself.

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  6. So glad to see you back Katy. Hope you will feel better and better soon. We are all connected in the blogging community and if one of us is not well, we respond. Your cake looks great and your dear Sweetie Pie is worth keeping. LOL.

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  7. I've missed you Katy and am happy to hear you are feeling better and cooking again!!! A great recipe and I just love the combination....hope you are feeling better and better every day!

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  8. Oh my goodness girl, you take care. My prayers are with you Katy, for quick healing.
    The cake looks scrumptious and we know better than to turn our noses up at cake mixes, they do have their place:)

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  9. Oh Katy..I am so glad that you are doing ok! I have missed your posts and i am sending warm hugs your way..Take care of you :)

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  10. Katy, glad you are recovering and healing. I've been checking your blog from time to time and decided you were just busy! Continue to take care of yourself (with Sweetie Pie's help!)

    I am so over being a food snob, and I definitely see the beauty of cake mixes. heck I even use shortening (gasp). Your cake looks yummy and makes me wish I had some bananas in the house. ;)

    BTW I've moved to a town called Katy, and I named my kitten Katy - think I like that name? :)

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  11. Welcome back, Katy! You have been missed. Glad you are feeling better and are back in the kitchen and making goodies for Ole Sweetie-Pi again. I hope you continue to do well.

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  12. oh katy, i'm so sorry to hear about everything you've been going through, but very grateful you're doing well!

    the cake looks DELICIOUS! such a tropical flair, i can't wait to try!

    i hope you continue to have a restful recovery.

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  13. Sorry to hear you've been ill Katy and I'm glad you feel better now and you're back in action! I've really missed your posts and your sense of humour :) Hugs and kisses
    By the way, the cake looks yummy, and thanks for sharing the recipe with us.
    Cheers
    Mamat

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  14. Welcome back. Best wishes for your recovery!

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  15. This is the first time I've seen this cake. Unique and a breathe of fresh air to say the least.

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  16. Looks delicious how long does it take to make?

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    1. Gosh, I'm a bit of a slow poke in the kitchen, so I may not be a good gauage, but I'd say 20-30 minutes. For those who are not day dreamer and dawdlers, perhaps less time :)

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