Indulge in the sweet and caramelized flavors of Bananas Foster combined with the comforting taste of French toast in this mouthwatering breakfast dish. This recipe takes the classic dessert and transforms it into a delightful baked French toast casserole that is perfect for weekend brunches or special occasions. With its rich, buttery taste and gooey caramel sauce, this Bananas Foster French Toast Bake will quickly become a favorite in your breakfast repertoire.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into thick slices
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 6 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange the bread slices in the prepared baking dish, overlapping them slightly.
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, and rum. Cook over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Remove from heat.
- Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the bread slices, making sure to cover them completely.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices, ensuring that all the bread is soaked in the mixture.
- Place the sliced bananas on top of the bread, gently pressing them down into the egg mixture.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and let it sit for 15 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the French toast is golden and set.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.
- Optional: Drizzle with additional caramel sauce and top with whipped cream for extra indulgence.
- Enjoy this Bananas Foster French Toast Bake with your favorite maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream.
Interesting Facts
Bananas Foster is a classic New Orleans dessert that was created in the 1950s.
The dish is named after Richard Foster, a prominent New Orleans businessman and friend of the restaurant owner who created the dessert.
Traditionally, Bananas Foster is served flambeed, with the bananas ignited in rum at the table for a dramatic presentation.
This French toast bake version is a convenient and fuss-free way to enjoy the flavors of Bananas Foster without the need for flambéing.
The combination of caramelized bananas, buttery bread, and sweet sauce makes this dish incredibly decadent and irresistible.
You can customize this recipe by adding a sprinkle of chopped pecans or a dash of nutmeg to enhance the flavors even further.