Chef John's Bananas Foster

When you think show-stopping, special occasion desserts, you usually don't think simple-and-fast, but that's the case with bananas Foster. This delicious New Orleans classic only has a few ingredients, and takes just minutes to make. Except for the folks that burn their houses down, everybody loves this recipe.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 497 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 fluid ounce banana liqueur
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 2 fluid ounces rum
• 2 pinches ground cinnamon
• 2 bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise and crosswise
• 2 small sprigs of mint

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt butter and brown sugar together in a skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and mixture begins to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 2

Place bananas, cut-side down, in brown sugar mixture. Cook until just golden, about 30 seconds; flip and cook until golden on the other side, about 30 seconds.

Step 3

Remove from heat. Pour rum and banana liqueur into skillet; return skillet to high heat. Cook until alcohol ignites and flames, 1 to 3 minutes; add cinnamon. When flames die, remove skillet from heat.

Step 4

Scoop vanilla ice cream into 2 bowls. Divide bananas mixture between bowls and garnish with mint sprigs.