If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, look no further than the iconic Bananas Foster. This New Orleans classic combines the rich flavors of caramelized bananas, warm rum sauce, and cool vanilla ice cream. Created in 1951 at Brennan’s Restaurant, Bananas Foster is a treat that has withstood the test of time, bringing a touch of culinary drama to dinner tables around the world. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply indulging in something sweet, this recipe is sure to impress.
What is Bananas Foster?
Bananas Foster is a decadent dessert that features ripe bananas sautéed in a luscious brown sugar and butter sauce, flamed with dark rum, and served over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Its rich, warm sauce contrasts beautifully with the cold ice cream, creating an irresistible combination of textures and flavors. The dramatic flair of flambéing the rum adds a touch of excitement, making it a fun dessert to prepare and serve.
Origin of Bananas Foster
The creation of Bananas Foster can be traced back to Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana. Chef Paul Blangé developed the recipe in 1951, and it was named after Richard Foster, a close friend of the restaurant’s owner, Owen Brennan. Foster was the chairman of the New Orleans Crime Commission, and the dish was created to honor him. The flambéed dessert was a hit, becoming a signature item at Brennan’s and later spreading across the globe as a beloved dessert. The combination of its fiery presentation and decadent flavors made it a standout dish in New Orleans cuisine.
Ingredients for Bananas Foster
To create the perfect Bananas Foster, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 4 ripe but firm bananas: Make sure the bananas are not overly ripe. They should yield slightly to pressure but retain their firmness.
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter: This forms the base of the rich sauce.
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar: The sugar adds sweetness and helps form the caramel sauce.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon: This adds a hint of spice to balance the sweetness of the bananas.
- Pinch of salt: A small pinch enhances the overall flavor of the sauce.
- 1/4 cup heavy cream: This makes the sauce creamy and smooth.
- 1/4 cup dark rum (or banana liqueur): The rum gives the sauce its signature depth of flavor and is the key ingredient for flambéing.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla complements the richness of the sauce and the bananas.
- Vanilla ice cream: This is the perfect base for the warm, caramelized bananas.
- Optional: Chopped toasted pecans: These add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the bananas.
Step-by-Step Directions for Preparing Bananas Foster
Preparation:
- Prepare the bananas: Peel the bananas and slice them diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces. This shape helps the bananas cook evenly and soak up the sauce.
- Set up your ingredients: Have all the ingredients measured and ready to go. The cooking process moves quickly, so it’s important to be prepared!
- Scoop the ice cream: Pre-scoop vanilla ice cream into serving bowls and place them in the freezer. This helps the ice cream maintain its shape when the warm bananas are added.
Cooking the Bananas Foster:
- Melt the butter: In a large skillet or flambé pan, melt the butter over medium heat. The pan should be large enough to comfortably hold all the banana slices.
- Add the sugar and spices: Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to the pan. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes bubbly (about 2-3 minutes). This creates the caramel sauce that will coat the bananas.
- Add the cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to cook for 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the bananas: Gently add the banana slices to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, carefully turning the bananas once to ensure they are coated in the sauce. Be cautious not to overcook the bananas, as they should remain tender but not mushy.
- Add the rum: Remove the pan from the heat, and carefully add the rum and vanilla extract. The rum is the star of the show, bringing a complex depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Flambé (Optional):
- Safety first: Ensure there are no flammable items nearby before attempting to flambé.
- Return the pan to the heat and tilt it slightly away from you. The alcohol should ignite automatically, or you can carefully light it with a long lighter.
- Let the flames burn for 30-60 seconds, allowing the alcohol to cook off. The flames will naturally die out after a short period. If you are uncomfortable flambéing, you can skip this step as the alcohol will cook off on its own.
- Serve immediately: Spoon the warm bananas and sauce over the pre-scooped vanilla ice cream, and serve while still warm.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic: Serve the Bananas Foster over premium vanilla ice cream for the traditional experience.
- Variations: Try serving the dessert over other ice cream flavors such as butter pecan, cinnamon, or rum raisin to add your own twist.
- Garnish: For added texture and flavor, top the Bananas Foster with toasted pecans, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Accompaniments: Serve alongside sugar cookies or a slice of pound cake to enhance the dessert experience.
Tips for Perfect Bananas Foster
Banana Selection:
- Use ripe but firm bananas for the best results. Bananas that are too soft will turn mushy during cooking, while bananas that are too green won’t have enough sweetness.
Cooking Tips:
- Work quickly: The entire cooking process should take only 5-6 minutes, so ensure all your ingredients are prepared and ready.
- Don’t overcook the bananas: Bananas should be tender but still hold their shape. Overcooked bananas will become mushy.
- Control the heat: Medium heat prevents the sugar from burning, allowing the sauce to cook evenly.
- Stir gently: Avoid stirring too vigorously as you may break the banana slices.
Safety for Flambéing:
- Remove from heat before adding alcohol to reduce the risk of flare-ups.
- Tilt the pan away from you when lighting to prevent accidents.
- Have a lid nearby to smother the flames if needed.
- Never pour alcohol directly from the bottle into a hot pan, as this could lead to a dangerous fire.
Variations of Bananas Foster
While the classic Bananas Foster is unbeatable, here are a few variations you can try to add a new spin to this beloved dessert:
Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
- Pour the banana mixture over cubes of day-old bread and bake until set for a delightful twist on traditional bread pudding.
Bananas Foster Pancakes
- Use the banana mixture as a topping for pancakes or waffles for a breakfast version of this dessert.
Non-Alcoholic Version
- For those who prefer to avoid alcohol, substitute the rum with additional vanilla extract and a splash of apple juice for a deliciously sweet, non-alcoholic version.
Tropical Twist
- Add a splash of coconut rum and serve with coconut ice cream for a tropical variation of Bananas Foster that brings a refreshing new flavor profile.
Storage Notes
- Best served immediately for the best texture and contrast between the warm bananas and cold ice cream.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and gently reheated before serving. However, do not store the bananas once cooked, as they will become too soft and lose their structure.
History of Bananas Foster
The history of Bananas Foster dates back to 1951, when it was created by Chef Paul Blangé at Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans. The dish was named after Richard Foster, a close friend of the restaurant’s owner, Owen Brennan, and the chairman of the New Orleans Crime Commission. The dish was a tribute to Foster, and it quickly became a favorite at Brennan’s, eventually becoming a New Orleans signature dessert. The dramatic tableside preparation and the rich combination of flavors made Bananas Foster a hit, and it remains a beloved classic today.
Conclusion
Bananas Foster is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of flavors, textures, and the art of cooking with flair. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just indulging in a sweet treat, this recipe will impress. With its dramatic presentation, warm caramelized bananas, and smooth rum sauce, Bananas Foster is the perfect dessert for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, set the stage for a little kitchen theater, and enjoy this classic New Orleans dessert that continues to captivate hearts and taste buds alike.
Print
Bananas Foster Recipe: A Delightful Dessert with a Dramatic Flambé Twist
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Bananas Foster is a decadent dessert that features ripe bananas sautéed in a luscious brown sugar and butter sauce, flamed with dark rum, and served over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Its rich, warm sauce contrasts beautifully with the cold ice cream, creating an irresistible combination of textures and flavors. The dramatic flair of flambéing the rum adds a touch of excitement, making it a fun dessert to prepare and serve.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe but firm bananas
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup dark rum (or banana liqueur)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
- Optional: chopped toasted pecans for garnish
Instructions
Preparation:
- Prepare bananas: Peel bananas and slice them diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
- Set up: Have all ingredients measured and ready – this recipe moves quickly!
- Scoop ice cream: Pre-scoop vanilla ice cream into serving bowls and keep in freezer.
Make the Bananas Foster:
- Melt butter: In a large skillet or flambé pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add sugar and spices: Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture becomes bubbly (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add cream: Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Add bananas: Gently add banana slices to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, carefully turning bananas once to coat both sides with sauce. Don’t overcook – bananas should be tender but not mushy.
- Add rum: Remove pan from heat and carefully add rum and vanilla extract.
- Flambé (optional):
- Safety first: Ensure no flammable items are nearby
- Return pan to heat and tilt slightly away from you
- The alcohol should ignite automatically, or carefully light with a long lighter
- Let flames burn for 30-60 seconds until they die out naturally
- Note: You can skip the flambéing step – the alcohol will cook off anyway
- Serve immediately: Spoon the warm bananas and sauce over scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic: Serve over premium vanilla ice cream
- Variations: Try with butter pecan, cinnamon, or rum raisin ice cream
- Garnish: Top with toasted pecans, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon
- Accompaniments: Serve with sugar cookies or pound cake
Notes
For an extra indulgent treat, serve your Bananas Foster over vanilla ice cream or fluffy pancakes. Don’t forget to drizzle all that rich caramel sauce—it’s the best part!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Sautéed
- Cuisine: American (New Orleans)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: Moderate
Keywords: Bananas Foster Recipe
