Description
This Bananas Foster French Toast with Homemade Banana Bread is a delightful twist on classic breakfast dishes, combining moist, sweet banana bread with a rich, caramelized bananas foster topping. Perfect for a special brunch or weekend treat, this recipe features baked banana bread slices dipped in a creamy egg mixture and cooked to golden perfection on the stovetop, then topped with a luscious, buttery banana caramel sauce that includes the warm flavors of cinnamon and rum.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Banana Bread:
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the French Toast:
- 6 slices of banana bread (cut thick)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- butter or oil for cooking
For the Bananas Foster Topping:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 ripe bananas (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons dark rum (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the Banana Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, stirring well after each addition. Fold in the mashed bananas for moisture and flavor. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing thick pieces for your French toast.
- Make the French Toast: In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to create a rich custard. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add butter or oil to coat the surface. Dip each thick slice of banana bread in the egg mixture, letting it soak for a few seconds on each side to absorb the custard well. Place the soaked bread slices onto the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until each side turns a beautiful golden brown and is cooked through. Keep the cooked French toast warm while preparing the topping.
- Make the Bananas Foster Topping: In a clean skillet over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Add brown sugar and cinnamon, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves, forming a smooth caramel sauce. Add the sliced bananas and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until they soften but still hold their shape. Carefully add the dark rum (if using) and allow the mixture to cook for another 30 seconds to let the alcohol cook off and flavors meld. Finish the sauce by stirring in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for balance.
- Serve: Arrange the French toast slices on plates and generously spoon the warm bananas foster topping over each slice. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- You can prepare the banana bread a day ahead to make slicing easier and save time on the day of serving.
- Omitting the rum in the bananas foster topping makes this recipe kid-friendly and alcohol-free.
- For an extra decadent brunch, pair the dish with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
