
This Banana Upside Down Cake is an easy, grain-free paleo dessert that’s also simple to adapt to a lower-carb version. It’s a great way to use ripe bananas, though if you prefer fewer carbs you can swap the bananas for blueberries or blackberries. I generally follow a primal or low-carb approach, but my family eats more carbs, so I often keep recipes flexible. Small amounts of banana make this cake moist and flavorful, and the recipe is straightforward whether you choose the paleo or low-carb variation.
Printable Recipe Card
Banana Upside Down Cake
Author: Stacey
An easy paleo banana upside-down cake with a lower-carb option using berries.
Prep Time: 6 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Total Time: 31 mins
Servings: 8
Course: gluten free, grain free, low carb version, paleo, primal
Cuisine: Cakes
Ingredients
- Bottom Fruit Layer:
- 2 tbsp butter or coconut oil, melted
- 1 cup small banana, sliced (or ¼ cup blueberries for the low-carb version)
- 2 tbsp walnut pieces (optional; omit for nut free)
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or 2 tbsp erythritol for low carb)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Top Cake Layer:
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ⅓ cup sweetener: ⅓ cup organic maple syrup for paleo or ⅓ cup low-carb maple syrup for low-carb
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup small banana, mashed (or ¼ cup blueberries for lower carb)
- ⅓ cup coconut flour
- Tools:
- One large mixing bowl
- One 9-inch round cake pan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan.
- Place 2 tbsp butter or coconut oil in the pan and put it in the preheating oven for a minute or two to melt. Tilt the pan so the melted fat coats the bottom evenly.
- Sprinkle 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or granulated low-carb sweetener) over the melted butter or oil.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp cinnamon over the sweetener.
- Arrange banana slices (or blueberries) on top of the butter-and-sweetener layer. Add optional walnut pieces. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the top-layer ingredients except the coconut flour: eggs, sweetener, milk, vanilla, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and mashed banana (or mashed berries). Mix thoroughly.
- Add the coconut flour and mix well, scraping the sides of the bowl and breaking up any clumps. The batter will thicken as the coconut flour absorbs liquid.
- Spoon the batter over the fruit layer and spread it evenly across the pan.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- Run a butter knife around the edge to loosen the cake. Place a large plate or platter over the pan and invert to release the cake. If the cake doesn’t release immediately, carefully lift with a spatula and try again.
- Slice and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutritional data (Paleo version with banana): 8 servings. Per slice (approx): 183 kcal; Carbs 28 g; Net carbs 25.4 g; Fiber 2.6 g; Fat 6 g; Protein 3 g; Sugar 22 g.
Nutritional data (Low-carb version with blueberries): 8 servings. Per slice (approx): 97 kcal; Carbs 6.5 g; Net carbs 3.9 g; Fiber 2.6 g; Fat 6 g; Protein 3 g; Sugar 2 g.
Storage: Store in the refrigerator if not serving immediately.
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