Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dessert is quick and easy to make, yet it feels luxurious with its layers of flavor and texture. The bananas become soft and sweet as they bake, perfectly complemented by the buttery, smooth caramel sauce. The puff pastry crisps up beautifully, creating a delightful contrast to the warm fruit and sauce. It’s a decadent treat that’s perfect for any occasion, and you’ll love how little time it takes to prepare!
Ingredients
- 4 bananas
- ½ sheet puff pastry (cut into strips)
- Icing sugar (for dusting)
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 125g unsalted butter
- 125g caster sugar
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
- Prepare the Pastry: Lay out the puff pastry trimmings or cut strips from the half sheet. Place each banana on top of a pastry strip. Lightly dust the bananas with icing sugar.
- Wrap and Bake: Wrap the pastry strip around the banana lengthwise, ensuring the banana is fully enclosed in the pastry. Place the wrapped bananas on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed.
- Make the Caramel Sauce: While the bananas are baking, make the caramel sauce. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the caster sugar and stir continuously until the mixture reaches a smooth caramel consistency. Once done, remove from heat.
- Serve: Once the bananas are baked and golden, remove them from the oven. Serve the puffed bananas warm, drizzled generously with the hot caramel sauce.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe serves 4.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Variations
- Spiced Caramel: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the caramel sauce for a spiced twist that complements the bananas perfectly.
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts on top of the caramel for added texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: For a decadent addition, drizzle some melted dark or milk chocolate on top of the caramel.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: The puffed bananas can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. However, they are best enjoyed fresh, as the puff pastry tends to lose its crispiness after a while.
- Reheating: To reheat, warm the bananas in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 5-10 minutes, or until the pastry crisps up again.
FAQs
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
The puff pastry and caramel sauce are best when served fresh, but you can prepare the caramel sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Reheat it before serving.
Can I use a different type of fruit instead of bananas?
Yes, other fruits like apples, pears, or peaches can work well with puff pastry. Just make sure to adjust the baking time depending on the fruit’s size and softness.
Can I make this dessert with a full sheet of puff pastry?
Yes, you can cut the puff pastry into strips or any shape you like. Just adjust the amount of filling to match the size of the pastry you use.
Can I make the caramel sauce with brown sugar?
Yes, you can substitute caster sugar with brown sugar for a deeper, richer caramel flavor.
Can I make this dessert without icing sugar?
Icing sugar is used for dusting, but you can skip it if you prefer or use regular granulated sugar for a slightly more textured finish.
Can I make the puff pastry from scratch?
Yes, you can make your own puff pastry from scratch, but store-bought puff pastry saves time and still works wonderfully for this recipe.
Can I use dairy-free butter for the caramel sauce?
Yes, you can substitute regular butter with dairy-free butter to make this dessert suitable for a dairy-free diet.
How can I ensure the puff pastry is crispy?
Make sure the pastry is well-baked, and you can lightly spray it with cooking oil before baking to enhance the crispiness.
Can I freeze this dessert?
While this dessert is best served fresh, you can freeze the puffed bananas before baking. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I add whipped cream or ice cream on top?
Yes, whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream would complement this dessert beautifully, adding an extra layer of indulgence.
Conclusion
Puffed Bananas and Caramel is the perfect dessert when you’re craving something simple yet indulgent. The flaky puff pastry, soft bananas, and buttery caramel sauce come together in a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you’re looking for a quick treat or a special dessert for a gathering, this recipe is a winner. Quick, elegant, and utterly delicious, it’s a dessert everyone will enjoy!
Puffed Bananas and Caramel
Puffed Bananas and Caramel is a simple yet elegant dessert featuring crispy puff pastry, warm bananas, and a rich homemade caramel sauce. This treat combines flaky pastry, gooey caramel, and sweet bananas for a delightful bite every time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
4 bananas
½ sheet puff pastry (cut into strips)
Icing sugar (for dusting)
125g unsalted butter
125g caster sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
- Lay out the puff pastry strips. Place each banana on top of a pastry strip, and lightly dust with icing sugar.
- Wrap the pastry around the banana lengthwise, fully enclosing it. Place the wrapped bananas on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden and puffed.
- Meanwhile, make the caramel sauce: melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the caster sugar and stir until the mixture reaches a smooth caramel consistency. Remove from heat.
- Once the bananas are baked and golden, remove them from the oven and drizzle with the hot caramel sauce. Serve warm.
Notes
Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the caramel sauce for a spiced twist.
For added texture, sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts on top of the caramel.
For a richer dessert, drizzle melted chocolate on top of the caramel.
If you prefer, you can use other fruits like apples or pears instead of bananas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg