Bananas Foster Ice Cream with a Rum Drizzle and Toasted Pecans
I’ve loved Bananas Foster ever since I had a dessert crepe filled with vanilla ice cream that was topped with the warm banana, brown sugar, and rum mixture. This ice cream infused with those flavors is equally delicious.
One of my favorite desserts of all time are Bananas Foster Crepes which is sort of unusual because I’m not normally a banana fanatic; I can usually give or take banana bread even but something about the combination of brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and rum sauteed bananas just does it for me.
I save the dessert for a special dinner because it does involve making a stack of crepes so this summer I decided it was time for something else; something a bit easier.
That something else was this Bananas Foster Ice Cream and I have to say it was a very good idea. It really tastes just like the dessert; minus the crepes.
I served it for dessert on Saturday night when I had company for dinner; I know they both wanted to lick the bowl. That’s success right?
I did decide to add some toppings. The rum drizzle is simply amazing all by it’s perfect self and really just a drizzle is suggested but add some toasted pecans to the mix for a bit of crunch and it’s elevated even more.
These toppings might take the dessert another step from the original New Orleans tradition but I’m betting even a native would find this ice cream perfectly suited for their palate.
I love this part. That is all.
Bananas Foster originated at Brennan’s in that city and has become almost an institution.
Now you don’t have to travel to taste how wonderful it is; just make a batch of this ice cream, play some jazz and sit outside and let your imagination take you to Bourbon Street.
I know this sweet, sultry ice cream will help.
I am fortunate to have one of those new-fangled ice cream makers that basically do all the work for you; no longer having to mess with salt and ice is nice!
Still I wasn’t sure how to successfully include a ripple of flavor; my concern was that folding it in at the last minute would result in it being completely incorporated into the ice cream base and that wasn’t what I was looking for. I tested layering the base ice cream with the ‘mix in’ and it turned out perfectly; pulling a scoop from the container saw exactly what I had hoped for; ice cream with layers of bananas foster rippled throughout.
Perfect rum for this delicious dessert? A Commemorative Blend of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum. Doesn’t that sound like something you need to keep in your kitchen?
This limited-time offering was inspired by Captain Henry Morgan’s victorious raid on the Spanish in 1671, where he lost his beloved flagship, The Satisfaction.
I loved cooking with this rum; the addition of spice (most notably vanilla) adds a great dimension to foods.
Captain Morgan 1671 does provide an upgraded flavor experience for Captain Morgan fans, and a sweet and flavorful option for people who are drinking American whiskey because it’s fashionable, not because they enjoy it.
The special bottle doesn’t hurt either; I know we’re talking about a bottle with pirates but I still think it’s cute; once I use all of this rum the bottle will be staying!
We still have plenty of warm nights left this summer so enjoy this now, it’s perfect for a languid evening on the porch; it is SO very good! As in I’ve hidden it from sight in the freezer so it’s all mine good. Try it, you’ll do the same!
Bananas Foster Ice Cream with a Rum Drizzle and Toasted Pecans
Ingredients
For the Bananas Foster Mixture:
- ¼ cup ½ stick butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 bananas sliced
- ¼ cup dark rum
For the Ice Cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- ? teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp of cooled syrup from Bananas Foster mixture
For the Rum Syrup:
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup Dark Rum
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Garnish:
- ¼ to ½ cup toasted pecans
Instructions
To Make the Bananas Foster Mixture:
- Combine the butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a flambé pan or skillet. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Add the bananas to the pan. When the banana sections soften and begin to brown, carefully add the rum. Continue to cook the sauce until the rum is hot, then tip the pan slightly to ignite the rum with a long match. Remove from heat.
To Make the Ice Cream:
- Whisk together the cream, milk, sugar, salt, vanilla and the 4 Tbsp of syrup from the Bananas Foster until the sugar dissolves.
- Cover and refrigerate from 4 to 24 hours.
- Pour the cream mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's directions.
- Prepare a loaf pan by lining with parchment paper to make the ice cream easy to remove.
- Layer the ice cream with the bananas foster mixture in 5 layers; starting and ending with ice cream. Cover and freeze until firm.
To Make the Rum Drizzle:
- Add all ingredients together in a small pan, bring to a boil and boil for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool before drizzling on ice cream.
Putting it all together:
- Scoop the ice cream into serving bowls.
- Drizzle a small amount of the rum syrup over the ice cream and top with toasted pecans.
I was provided with a bottle of Captain Morgan Rum however all opinions are my own.
I used an organic brown sugar that was more drier and of a grain that’s a bit coarser than the usual supermarket brown sugar so it took a bit to dissolve properly, but for the dark rum – Nicaraguan primo Flor de Cana – skipped carmelizing the bananas in the Foster mixture and prepared an authentic banana ice cream stead; to the foster/rum mix I did add chopped toasted unsalted pecans to your recipe for the foster rum mix. Unfortunately, this mix has hardened like a rock in my Pyrex cup at room temperature before I can even add it to the prepared frozen base fresh out of the ice cream maker in layers, as your recipe suggested, into the container for storage prior to serving with or without the rum drizzle – where did I go wrong? How do I remove it and soften enough to add those layers to the ice cream?
You used both a drier sugar and did not saute the bananas which adds some liquid to the mixture. Between those two, the ratios are all off and I’m not surprised. All I can suggest is that you add a bit of water to the caramel in a pan and try warming it until it melts and adding enough liquid until it develops a better consistency, a tablespoon at a time. Good luck!
Lovely, different recipes and you’ve made printing easy, which I appreciate, thanks!!
Oh boy, this hits all the right notes for me.
Yum, yum, yum! This might be nice with the Sailor Jerry!
This looks incredible! How could I make this without an ice cream maker?
I’ve never done that Amanda so would suggest you Google it. I have made sherbet by freezing it in a pan but with ice cream part of it is the incorporation of some air so you will get something with a different texture.
A friend was discussing this on here Facebook page Amanda; maybe this information would be valuable to you: http://www.facebook.com/tryanythingonce
Suddenly, my skinny cow ice cream sandwich just won’t do.
I’ll make and eat the occasional banana bread but never have gone wild over banana flavors. Your ice cream today has changed my mind. I would be in the “lick the bowl clean” category for sure!
So very good Holly. Must be the rum huh? 🙂
Oh my…. ok, this reading blogs before lunch has gotta stop! I am generally a wimp but this is beyond cruel and unusual punishment! Brilliant idea Barb and truth be told, I would prefer the bananas this way – something about that lovely cold ice cream and warm bananas and rum… yum, yum, yum!!!!
Sooo glad your site is back up and running!!!
So good. All I can say. 🙂
Consequently mouth watering! That seems irresistible.
I don’t normally reach for a banana and banana desserts have never been my thing but I did have Bananas Foster in New Orleans once. You just have to, don’t you? I fell in love with the dessert and I am sure I will love this ice cream of yours.
Caramelized banana is just totally different banana isn’t it? You would love this if you like Bananas Foster!
I have to tell you, that first image is one of the most mouth watering photographs I have come across this week. It totally made me stop in my tracks. Fabulous. x
Thanks so much Shirley!
Consequently tasty! That appears to be impressive!
Oh, boy! Does that ever look good! I want some right now. Great photos, Barbara Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
I’ve ha it at Brennan’s and it is good. I’ve also flamed it an that is fun. But the best part is eating it. Can’t wait!
This was out of this world good! I only wish you had already taken photos for your blog post when Sandy and I devoured it so I could bring it home with me. Now you know what I will be making today!
I’m not a fanatic, but I do like bananas — a lot. So this is perfect for me. And rum? Yes, please. I’d probably opt for an unspiced rum, but this sounds fantastic.
This looks and sounds incredible! I seriously can’t wait to try it. I’m not the biggest banana lover but I definitely do love pecans and rum! Pinning and printing! Thanks for the recipe!