Slow Cooker Bananas Foster

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Slow Cooker Bananas Foster

This recipe transforms firm bananas into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth dessert bathed in a rich sauce of brown sugar, butter, and warm spices. It’s the ultimate topping for vanilla bean ice cream or thick slices of pound cake

  • Prep time: 10 minutes

  • Cook time: 1.5 to 2 hours (Low)

  • Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 6 firm bananas, peeled and sliced into 1-inch rounds

  • 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, sliced into pats

  • 1/4 cup dark rum (or apple juice for a non-alcoholic version)

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 tsp sea salt

  • Optional: Toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch

Instructions

  1. Layer the Sauce: In your slow cooker, combine the brown sugar, butter pats, rum (or juice), vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir briefly to distribute.

  2. Add Bananas: Gently fold in the sliced bananas until they are mostly coated in the sugar mixture.

  3. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 1.5 to 2 hours. Avoid cooking on High, as the sugar can scorch and the bananas will turn to mush.

  4. Stir Gently: Halfway through, give it one very gentle stir to ensure the butter has melted and emulsified with the sugar.

  5. Serve: Serve warm immediately over high-quality vanilla ice cream.

Tips for Success

  • Banana Maturity: Use bananas that are yellow with just a few brown spots. If they are overripe/mushy, they will disintegrate during the slow cooking process.

  • Don’t Overcook: Start checking at the 90-minute mark. You want the bananas tender but still holding their round shape.

  • The “Boozy” Factor: Since the slow cooker is sealed, the alcohol in the rum doesn’t burn off as quickly as it does in a pan. If serving to kids, stick to apple juice or rum extract.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Estimate based on standard ingredients:

Nutrient Amount
Calories 310 kcal
Total Fat 15g
Carbohydrates 42g
Fiber 3g
Sugars 34g
Protein 1g

Benefits of This Dish

  • Potassium Boost: Bananas are famously high in potassium, which supports heart health and muscle function.

  • Stress-Free Hosting: Since it’s made in the slow cooker, you can prep it before dinner starts and have a hot dessert ready by the time the dishes are cleared.

  • Low Acid: Compared to citrus-heavy desserts, this is generally gentler on the stomach.

Q&A

Q: Can I use light brown sugar instead?

A: Yes, but dark brown sugar contains more molasses, which provides that deep, authentic “Foster” flavor profile.

Q: My sauce looks thin, how do I thicken it?

A: If you prefer a thicker syrup, remove the lid for the last 20 minutes of cooking to allow some moisture to evaporate.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: It’s best fresh. If reheated, the bananas tend to lose their structure, though the flavor remains delicious!

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