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Classic Restaurant-Style Bananas Foster with Rum Flambé

Close-up of warm, caramelized bananas in sauce topped with vanilla ice cream, a perfect serving of bananas foster.
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You can make this classic New Orleans dessert, Bananas Foster, quickly at home. This recipe delivers caramelized bananas in a rich, buttery rum sauce, perfect served warm over vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup dark rum
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 medium ripe bananas, peeled and sliced lengthwise
  • 1/4 cup banana liqueur (optional, for extra flavor)
  • Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Place the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt completely.
  2. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon to the melted butter. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble and thicken slightly, forming a sauce. This takes about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the sliced bananas to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 1 minute per side until they are lightly softened and coated in the sauce.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat source temporarily. Carefully pour the dark rum into the skillet.
  5. Return the skillet to the heat. Immediately tilt the pan slightly toward the flame (if using a gas stove) or use a long match to ignite the rum vapors. Stand back while the alcohol burns off. This is the flambé.
  6. Once the flames subside, gently stir in the banana liqueur, if using. Cook for about 30 seconds more to warm the liqueur.
  7. Serve the warm Bananas Foster immediately over scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • For an alcohol-free version, substitute the rum and liqueur with 1/4 cup of strong brewed coffee or extra banana juice mixed with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  • Use firm, ripe bananas; they hold their shape better during cooking.
  • If you do not wish to flambé, simply simmer the sauce for 1 minute after adding the rum until the alcohol cooks off, then serve.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://littlekitchendiary.com/bananas-foster-recipe-classic-new-orleans-dessert/