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An overhead view of a single serving of bananas foster in an oval white dessert dish with a spoon inserted into the side next to the caramelized bananas and ice cream.

Bananas Foster

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 560kcal
Author: Kris Longwell
This recipe originated in the famous Brennan's Restaurant in New Orleans. It's served tableside with an impressive flambé presentation. If replicating at home, just be careful! The flames are impressive, but stand back! Homemade vanilla ice cream puts this epic dessert over the top!
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Equipment

  • 1 large (12-inch) skillet
  • Long lighter or a long match. See NOTES

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup banana liqueur
  • 4 bananas peeled and quartered
  • ⅔ cup rum white, dark, or spiced
  • vanilla ice cream for serving

Instructions

  • Add the butter, sugar, and cinnamon into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved and the sauce is bubbling and starting to thicken, about 4 minutes.
    6 tablespoon unsalted butter, ¾ cup dark brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Carefully stir in the liqueur. Place the bananas into the simmering sauce, cut side down, and cook until soft and starting to caramelize, gently flipping the bananas after about 2 minutes (cook for another 2 minutes).
    ¼ cup banana liqueur, 4 bananas
  • Pour the rum over the top (don't stir!) and then quickly ignite with a long lighter or match and flambé until all of the flames die out, usually about 45 seconds to 1 minute.
    ⅔ cup rum
  • Serve immediately with ice cream, spooning extra sauce over the ice cream and bananas.
    vanilla ice cream

Video

Notes

Watch the video for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. 
Be sure to use an extended lighter or match. The flames could be a couple of feet high. Don't worry, they will burn off within about 1 minute. Just, be sure nothing is over the skillet, and have guests stand back if they are close. 
Be sure to ignite the rum soon after adding to the skillet. If the rum sinks into the sauce, you won't get much flame. But, the taste will still be delicious. 
Most of the alcohol will burn off, but not all of it. To serve without alcohol, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract for the rum, but, the taste won't be as authentic. 

Nutrition

Calories: 560kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 484mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 601IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg