Classic Bananas Foster (Printable)
Luscious New Orleans dessert: caramelized bananas in buttery brown sugar sauce, served warm over vanilla ice cream. Alcohol-free joy!
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruit
01 - 3 ripe bananas, peeled, sliced lengthwise, and halved
→ Sauce
02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 1/4 cup orange juice
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - Pinch of salt
→ For Serving
08 - 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt the specified amount of butter.
02 - Introduce the brown sugar, orange juice, ground cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture begins to gently bubble, typically taking about 2 minutes.
03 - Carefully place the prepared banana slices into the simmering sauce. Cook for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, turning them once, until they are lightly caramelized and softened but still retain their structural integrity.
04 - Remove the skillet from the heat source.
05 - Distribute four scoops of vanilla ice cream evenly among individual serving bowls. Generously spoon the warm caramelized bananas and their rich sauce over each portion of ice cream.
06 - Serve this classic dessert immediately while warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This recipe is incredibly quick, meaning you can have a decadent dessert on the table in under 20 minutes, even on a busy weeknight.
- It brings all the rich, caramelized flavor of a classic Bananas Foster without the alcohol, making it a perfect treat for everyone, young and old.
02 -
- I once tried this with underripe bananas, and they stayed too firm, refusing to caramelize properly; always choose bananas with a few brown flecks for the best result.
- A true 'aha!' moment for me was realizing that *packing* the brown sugar is crucial for achieving that perfectly rich, thick sauce, don't just lightly scoop it.
03 -
- Ensure your skillet is large enough so the bananas can cook in a single layer, allowing them to caramelize evenly without steaming.
- The key to perfectly cooked bananas is to not overcrowd the pan and to only flip them once, giving them time to develop that gorgeous golden-brown crust.