Bananas Foster Recipe: A Childhood Favorite for National Banana Lovers Day

It's National Banana Lover Day- a perfect day to create Bananas Foster! Image by Photo by Vanessa Loring.

Certain desserts become part of your life story, and for me, Bananas Foster will always hold that place. My love for it began in New Orleans, where my family and I took a cooking class that brought this iconic dish to life. Even as a kid, I was mesmerized by the drama of the dish- the flames rising from the pan, the rich caramel sauce, the bananas softening into perfection. It was one of the very first desserts I ever helped create, and it sparked my love for both food and family traditions.

Of course, as a child, I wasn’t allowed anywhere near the fire. My parents took care of that flambé moment- pouring in the rum and banana liqueur and igniting it while I took on the safer, but equally magical, tasks. I happily stirred together the butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until they turned into a bubbling, golden sauce. Then came my favorite step: gently folding in the sliced bananas and watching them soak up all that sweet, spiced richness.

To this day, Bananas Foster still feels like pure culinary theater- elegant yet approachable, dramatic yet comforting. The warm sauce over cool vanilla ice cream creates one of the most perfect contrasts in dessert history. And yes, I STILL love it. In fact, I keep a bottle of banana liqueur in my cabinet for one reason only: this dessert. Honestly, I believe it’s the only legitimate reason to own banana liqueur!

So it feels especially fitting to celebrate Bananas Foster on National Banana Lovers Day (August 27). While bananas shine in smoothies, breads, and pancakes, Bananas Foster remains the crown jewel- the one that can transform a simple family dinner into a show-stopping memory.

Classic Bananas Foster Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 slightly unripe bananas, sliced lengthwise or into coins

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• 1 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• ¼ cup banana liqueur (optional but traditional)

• ¼ cup dark rum

• Vanilla ice cream, for serving

  
  

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon, stirring until smooth and bubbling.

2. Add the bananas and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until softened and coated in the sauce.

3. (Adults only step!) Carefully add the banana liqueur and rum. Tilt the pan slightly to ignite the alcohol, or use a long match to flambé. Let the flames burn off naturally.

4. Spoon the warm bananas and sauce over scoops of vanilla ice cream. Serve immediately and savor every bite.

   
   

Bananas Foster will always be close to my heart- not just for its flavor, but for the memories it carries of that first New Orleans cooking class with my family. Today, on National Banana Lovers Day, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by sharing this favorite that still brings me joy every time I light up the pan.

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