Upside-Down Plantain Cake Mexican Recipe

Upside-Down Plantain Cake Mexican Recipe

Ingredients

Recipe for: Pastel Volteado de Platano Macho – Upside-Down Plantain Cake

Serves 8 to 10

• 3½ cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 ripe but firm plantains (see note)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ tablespoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground canela
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Combine 2 cups of the sugar and the water in a small, heavy saucepan
3. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-low heat, then remove the lid to release the steam, which will help avoid crystallization
4. Continue cooking until the sugar dissolves and turns a dark golden color, then swirl the mixture around so it caramelizes evenly
5. Pour into an 8-inch cake pan and allow it to set for a few minutes
6. Meanwhile, peel and cut the plantains into slightly diagonal slices about ¼ inch thick
7. Arrange them over the caramel, in slightly overlapping concentric circles, covering the bottom
8. If you have any leftover plantain, mash it and set it aside
9. Sift together the flour, baking powder, canela, and salt into a bowl and whisk to incorporate
10. In a separate bowl with a mixer, or in a standing mixer, cream together the butter and the remaining 1½ cups sugar until light and fluffy
11. Add the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla and any mashed plantain (don’t add more than ? cup), blending until well incorporated
12. Add about one-third of the flour mixture, alternating with one-third of the milk, and blend to combine, adding the remaining flour mixture and milk in two more batches
13. Pour the batter over the plantains and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake bounces back when pressed lightly in the center, 50 to 60 minutes
14. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, run a small knife around the edges, put a serving plate on top, and carefully flip over
15. Serve warm or at room temperature
16. When plantains are ripe they turn black (but make sure they aren’t moldy) and this means they are at their sweetest state

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