Grilled Banana Pudding Cups

While my husband was grilling last night I, of course, thought about what I could grill for dessert.



My husband is a firm believer that fruit does not belong in dessert. I know, crazy. 
However, living in the south it is hard to turn your back on banana pudding. Even he can't resist it.
It is at every potluck, many weddings (including mine) and everyone has their own style of making it.


I decided to add a little twist of my own. Someone out there has probably already done it this way, but maybe not exactly this way... just amuse me.


Just to let you know I use the word "about" alot. It was the first time I made it and just made it up as I went so I didn't "exactly" measure everything. 

You will need:

3 bananas

2 Tbls honey

2 tsp brown sugar

4-5 graham crackers

2 tbls butter

1 package of cook and serve vanilla pudding

(or make your own, that's awesome too)

2 cups heavy whipping cream

3 Tbls sugar

Let's get started!

Cut off both end of banana and slice lengthwise, leaving the peel on.

Drizzle honey over the banana and sprinkle on the brown sugar.

Let the brown sugar soak into the honey for a few minutes before grilling.

Grill CUT side down for about 5 minutes, flip and grill the peel side for about 2 minutes.

While the bananas are doing their thing, make the pudding.

I decided to use the cook and serve pudding, but by all means, make your own.

I would have made my own if I had more time. It was really tasty this way too.

For the crust:

Melt half a tablespoon of butter in cute little dishes, also known as ramekins. 

Once melted mix in some crushed graham crackers, and sprinkle in some sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes until set. 

I did this step while the bananas were grilling.

Once your crust is done, pour in some pudding and top with banan slices. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs. Repeat for another layer.

Whip up some homemade whip cream, unless you have some around, then dollup some on.

To make homemade whip cream:

Chill the bowl and whisk in the freezer for about 20 minutes.

Pour 2 cups of heavy whipping cream into the chilled bowl and start whisking. Using your mixer is a huge time save if it was a whisk attachment. Once it starts forming soft peaks add sugar to taste. My taste likes 3 tablespoons. 

Top the pudding with whip cream, sprinkle with more graham cracker crumbs and top with a blueberry, just because.

How does it taste you ask.

Grilling the bananas gives it a nice nutty flavor and really takes the pudding to another level.

My husband ate his cup and started eating another one. 

I do prefer it on the warm side. I put it in the fridge until after dinner, but it was still warm and oh so tasty. 

To be honest, I didn't think it was going to taste this good. 

My hubs finished off the last one today at lunch and said he was on the fence about which way her preferred it. 

I hope you try it and come back and let me know what you think... maybe make the crust thicker, add some nuts... yum, can't wait to try it again.

Baking from my heart to your kitchen,

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Bananas Foster French Toast

Today my boys were playing outside and found a 3x5 card with the words "Ionic Bond" on it.

Apparently, the girl next door is studying for an exam. Meanwhile, the definition was on the back, so I turned it over, read it and it said something about negative something blah blah. Didn't really think that much about it or try to comprehend it's meaning. Then my husband walked out, read it and of course comprehended it's meaning immediately, because he is ridiculously smart and said, "We have an Ionic Bond". huh? Guess I should have  read the meaning a little more carefully. Ionic bond? Are we super heros? We stick together? I decided to read it again to see what he meant.

She had written, "an attraction between ions of opposite charge that forms a stable molecule" 

Go ahead, read it again, I did. Take a minute, let it soak in. Then aw... if you know anything about my husband and I, we really don't have alot in common, but we certainly are great together. You could read that definition as "an attraction between people that don't have much in common can form a great relationship" Awesome. We really do love being with each other.

Seriously Sweet!

Do you know what else is seriously sweet? This mornings breakfast.

I'll give you a run down.

You will need:

For the French Toast

8 slices of bread. I used a loaf of cinnamon bread I had bought and sliced it thickly

3 eggs

3/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

pinch salt

sprinkle of cinnamon

For the Bananas Foster topping:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 bananas, sliced
pinch cinnamon

The night before I slice the bread and leave it out.

This helps dry it out so it will soak up the egg mixture in the morning. Trust me. 

At least trust Alton Brown, he is the one who suggested it when he did an episode on french toast

You don't have to do this step, but it helps.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large shallow bowl or dish whisk together eggs, milk, salt, cinnamon, and allspice. Soak bread slices in egg mixture, allowing to absorb as much liquid as possible.

While bread is soaking, heat a large skillet or griddle on medium heat. I absolutely love my griddle, but if using a pan melt some butter in it and brown the bread slices, working in batches if necessary. Brown for about 3 minutes per side, or until lightly golden. Place slices on a baking sheet and finish cooking in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until slices have a desired brown color.

While the french toast is in the oven, prepare the bananas foster topping. In a small skillet, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved into butter. Add banana slices to pan, stirring so they are covered in caramel sauce. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon. Bananas are done when they are warmed through.

Pour bananas foster mixture over French Toast.

I must say, this was crazy good. I thought so anyway, but my boys didn't want any "banana syrup" on theirs. It is good French Toast, just plain, but who wants plain, well besides my boys. Not me. Pour it on!

I am so glad I took the time this morning. It was worth it! I suggest you try it!

Anything "Seriously Sweet" happening at your house?

Baking from my heart to your kitchen,

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