Name: Bananas Foster from Brennan’s Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Creole
Ingredients: 4 medium bananas; ¼ cup unsalted butter (4 tablespoons or 1 half stick); 1 packed cup light brown sugar; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ cup banana liqueur; ¼ cup dark rum; 4 scoops vanilla bean ice cream

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Introduction

Bananas Foster is a classic New Orleans dessert that combines caramelized bananas with a rich buttery sauce and warm spices. Flambéed with rum, it creates a spectacular presentation and an indulgent treat perfect for any occasion.

The dish shows a white plate with two scoops of melting vanilla ice cream on top of caramelized banana slices coated in a glossy golden-brown syrup. The syrup pools around the bananas, creating a rich, sticky texture at the base. Small pieces of chopped pecans are scattered over the ice cream and bananas, adding a crunchy contrast. The background features a white marbled surface with a hint of a white bowl filled with more syrup and some pecans near the edges of the frame. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 medium bananas
4 scoops vanilla bean ice cream
¼ cup unsalted butter (4 tablespoons or 1 half stick)
1 packed cup light brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup banana liqueur
¼ cup dark rum

Instructions

Step 1: Peel the bananas and slice each one in half lengthwise. Then slice each long half in half horizontally, creating 4 pieces from each banana. Set aside.
Step 2: Divide the vanilla bean ice cream scoops between serving bowls and set aside.
Step 3: Place a large flambé pan over medium heat. Add the butter, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir as the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
Step 4: When the butter is nearly melted, add the banana liqueur and stir to incorporate fully.
Step 5: Add the banana pieces to the pan. Sauté, stirring and flipping the bananas occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes until they begin to soften.
Step 6: Add the dark rum to the pan and stir. Continue sautéing until the sauce begins to bubble.
Step 7: Carefully ignite the alcohol vapors using one of the following methods: If using a fireplace lighter, ignite the lighter and touch the flame to the air above the sauce. If using the stovetop flame, lift the side of the pan closest to you and tilt the back edge down toward the burner, then tilt the pan closer to the flame until the rum ignites.
Step 8: Once the sauce ignites, carefully stir or toss the mixture and spoon the sauce over the bananas until the flames subside and most or all of the alcohol has cooked off.
Step 9: Transfer 4 banana pieces into each bowl of ice cream. Spoon the sauce over the bananas and ice cream, then serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Use ripe but firm bananas to ensure they hold their shape during cooking.
For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the rum and banana liqueur with additional orange juice and a splash of vanilla extract.
Serve with toasted pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.
If you’re not comfortable with flambéing, you can skip igniting the rum and simply simmer the sauce until the alcohol cooks off.

Storage

Bananas Foster is best enjoyed fresh, as the bananas can become mushy after refrigeration. If needed, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat, stirring carefully to avoid breaking the bananas, but be aware the texture and flavor may change.

How to Serve

A white cast iron pan filled with a rich, golden-brown syrup sauce covering a layer of caramelized, sliced plantains arranged in a circular pattern, topped with two scoops of creamy white ice cream placed near the center, sprinkled with small pieces of chopped pecans that add a crunchy texture, and a drizzle of caramel sauce over the ice cream and plantains. A silver spoon is resting inside the pan on the left side, all set on a white marbled textured surface with a blue and white striped cloth partially visible beneath the pan. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for Bananas Foster?

It’s best to use fresh bananas because frozen ones tend to be mushy and watery when thawed, which can affect the texture and flavor of the dish.

What can I use instead of rum?

If you prefer not to use rum, you can replace it with a mixture of orange juice and vanilla extract, or skip the alcohol entirely, simmering the sauce until thickened for a delicious non-alcoholic version.