Healthy Banana Foster Cake

Enjoy a spin on the classic New Orleans dessert with this Healthy Banana Foster Cake recipe! Made with ingredients like light brown sugar, coconut oil, maple syrup and dark spiced rum, this dish contains healthier ingredients with no sacrifice to flavor.

An easy and healthy banana foster cake recipe

Did someone say it’s time for dessert?!

Today, I’m showing you how to whip up the most delicious and healthy banana foster cake. This incredible sweet dessert is made with what you’d typically find in bananas foster, but better. Between the brown sugar butter and the rich and sweet banana cake, this is treat you’re going to want to try ASAP.

Ingredients in healthy banana foster cake

This recipe uses two sets of ingredients: those for the caramelized topping, and those for the banana cake. A few ingredients carry over into both parts, such as the bananas, cinnamon, and dark spiced rum.

Caramelized Topping

• Butter: This recipe kicks off with 1/4 cup (or 1/2 stick) of butter.
• Light brown sugar: Then, we’ll add 1/2 cup of brown sugar to the butter to start developing the caramelized topping. I recommend light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar will work if that’s what you have.
• Dark spiced rum: Next, bring in some flavor by incorporating 2 tbsp of dark spiced rum.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a staple in this recipe. Use 1/2 tsp.
• Vanilla: Then, add 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract. Don’t forget this!
• Bananas: Finally, this part of the recipe is complete with 3 bananas. They should be sliced down the middle.

Banana Cake

• Almond flour: The banana cake starts with a base of 2.5 cups of almond flour.
• Baking soda: Then, we’ll add 1/2 tsp of baking soda to help the cake cook properly.
• Cinnamon: Next up, 1 tsp of cinnamon! This is going to add so much flavor.
• Salt: Follow the cinnamon with 1/4 tsp of salt.
• Banana: Next is another banana! Use 1 large, ripe, mashed banana. It should be about 1/2 cup once mashed.
• Eggs: 2 eggs will help all of the ingredients bind together properly, and it will help us get a nice and fluffy cake texture.
• Coconut oil: Add oil in the amount of 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil.
• Maple syrup: Add some more sweet, natural flavor with 1/3 cup of maple syrup.
• Dark spiced rum: Last but not least, this recipe comes together with the addition of 2 tbsp of dark spiced rum.

Tools used to make banana foster butter cake

This dish will require a set of kitchen tools to successfully complete the cooking and baking processes. Below is everything you’ll need:

• 9×9 dish
• Parchment paper
• Nonstick spray
• Small mixing bowl
• Stirring utensil
• Sauce pot
• Knife
• Large plate

When it comes to measuring ingredients, you will need the following sized measuring cups: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make banana foster upside down cake

Ready to get started? This recipe comes together in around 45 minutes and yields 9 delicious slices.

First, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper. Spray the paper with nonstick spray to make sure it is well greased.

Then, start preparing the banana bread mixture.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

Next, mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl. Then, whisk in the eggs, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and rum.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until everything is combined. Set the mixture aside while making caramel.

Place a sauce pot on the stove and heat the butter over medium-high heat until it’s melted. Once melted, add the brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a bubble and stir occasionally. It will take 3-4 minutes for the sugar to become smooth (you don’t want any clumps). Once it starts to be smooth, turn off heat right away and remove from the burner. Stir in the rum, cinnamon, and vanilla (it will bubble). Immediately pour into the greased 9×9 dish.

Place the bananas face down in the caramel in a row. Pour the banana cake batter over the top and spread evenly. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let cool for 10 minutes before running a knife around the edge of the cake. Then, place a large plate on top and flip over gently. Remove the parchment paper if stuck. The bananas should be face down and caramelized. Let cool for another 20 minutes before cutting.

Cut into 9 even slices. Serve with vanilla ice cream and sea salt.

How this banana foster is healthier

This banana cake uses a few healthier recipes that allow us to skip some unwanted ingredients and bring in a bit of extra nutrients.

Almond flour
First up is almond flour! I like to use this in baked goods for its added protein.

Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a wonderful substitute for vegetable and canola oil. If you use refined coconut oil, you won’t taste a thing!

Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a delicious and all natural substitute for regular sugar. It tastes so good in baked goods!

Why do they call it banana foster?

This dessert was dubbed bananas “foster” after a friend of the chef!

What is foster sauce made of?

Recipes vary, but this particular bananas foster cake is made with a caramelized butter sauce. The caramel sauce is created with butter, light brown sugar, dark spiced rum, cinnamon, and vanilla.

What’s the difference between bananas flambé and bananas foster?

A flambé is a method of preparing food that involves adding liquor to a dish and browning it with a flame (such as with crème brûlée!). Bananas flambé contains this method, while bananas foster does not. Note: Sometimes the dish is prepared with the flame, but not our cake.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Craving some more delicious banana desserts? Here are some treats (as well as a couple of breakfasts!) to try.

• Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Muffins
• Banana Bread Oatmeal Pancakes
• Salted Peanut Butter Banana Bread
• Cinnamon Crumble Banana Bread

All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn