Fried Banana Bread

It’s about time I added a dessert recipe to the blog wouldn’t you say!? Fried banana bread was one of my favorite desserts from my college days from Sweet Melissa cafe in Laramie WY. My RD2B best friends and I shared many memories over a bowl of warm caramel sauce and melting ice cream soaking into a thick slice of fried banana bread. I am so excited to share my version of this nostalgic favorite with you!

The banana bread recipe I created for this dessert is not too sweet. If you are using a different banana bread recipe, I suggest reducing the sugar content a bit or using a recipe that is less on the sweet side. Don’t worry, the ice cream and salted caramel sauce will do the trick to satisfy your sweet tooth. Simply fry the sliced banana bread in a little bit of butter, plate and add toppings. As the ice cream melts under the warm salted caramel, they soak into the banana bread. Add the crunchy texture and taste of toasted walnuts and all of your hopes and dreams in a dessert come true!

Kitchen Tip!

The salted caramel recipe I used for my fried banana bread is from the wonderful baking food blog, Sally’s Baking Addiction. DO NOT even think about using store bought caramel for this recipe! This salted caramel is by far the best, and it really makes this dessert drool worthy.

Make a batch and keep in your refrigerator for up to a month. I can guarantee you will find ways to use it up! I simply pop the jar I keep it in in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to warm it back up for serving. YUM!

Health Benefit!

Now I know this is a dessert and you are likely thinking, what health benefit can she possibly come up with for fried banana bread!? Well, there are a multitude of nutrients I could choose from to discuss about in this dessert. I thought maybe the calcium in ice cream, maybe the omega-3 fats in the walnuts, or perhaps the whole wheat flour that I used in the banana bread. But, sometimes food nourishes us beyond the physical health benefits of its nutrient profile. I know this has been an especially stressful week for most of us, and I think our hearts and our souls could use a little bit of nourishment right now. Food is more than just fuel. Food pleasure is healthy. Food joy is healthy. And this recipe right here, provides me with both folks!

Fried Banana Bread with ice cream, salted caramel, and walnuts

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Author: Paige Wollenzien

This recipe was inspired by a favorite dessert mine from my college days from Sweet Melissa cafe in Laramie WY. Many wonderful memories with friends were shared over fried banana bread. I cannot wait to share with you my version of this nostalgic favorite!

Ingredients

Banana Bread

• 5 large bananas (about 2 cups), mashed
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Salted Caramel (recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction)

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 Tablespoons salted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoons salt

• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

Banana Bread

1. Bake the banana bread ahead of time to allow time to cool, ideally the morning of or night before planning to serve. 
2. Preheat oven to 350F.
3. Mash bananas in a large bowl. Add eggs, olive oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and stir to combine. 
4. Mix dry ingredients of whole wheat and all purpose flour, baking soda and salt to another bowl. 
5. Add flour mixture to wet mixture and stir until mostly combined, but  still a few dry spots remain. At this point, add chopped walnuts and continue to stir just until entire mixture is combined. You do not want to over-mix the batter.
6. Spray a bread pan with cooking spray, or alternatively line with parchment paper. Pour in batter, place in the oven and bake for approximately 60 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. 
7. Let the banana bread cool completely in the pan before removing to ensure it stays together.

1. First toast walnuts by placing in an even layer on a baking sheet and broiling on low in your oven. Keep a close eye on them and give the pan a little shake after a few minutes to stir. They should be done in about 5 minutes, or when just lightly browned. Set aside. 
2. Make the salted caramel sauce by adding sugar to a saucepan and heating over medium heat. Stir very frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent burning. The sugar will clump up and then start to turn into a golden liquid. Once it is completely liquid, add butter while continuing to stir rapidly. Be careful because it will bubble up rapidly. Once the butter is completely melted and combined with the sugar, slowly pour in heavy cream while continuing to stir. Let the mixture simmer for about one minute while you stir, and remove from heat once ingredients are well combined. Mix in salt and set aside to cool and thicken. 
3. Complete the remaining steps once you are ready to serve.
4. Slice banana bread into 3/4 inch slices. Heat a skilled over medium heat and add butter. Once butter is melted and pan is hot, add sliced banana bread. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until bottom side is toasted and slightly browned, and flip. Cook for another 2 minutes until toasted and remove from the pan to serving plates or bowls.
5. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of each piece of banana bread. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts, and drizzle with salted caramel. Serve immediately while the caramel is still warm, ice cream is still cool, and the fried banana bread is ready to soak it all in.

Notes:

Salted Caramel recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction at https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-salted-caramel-recipe/

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