Banana Caramel Shortcakes Recipes

BANANA SNACKING CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL GLAZE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-9-inch pan, and then line with parchment paper, letting the two long ends hang over the edges by at least 2 inches.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt. Whisk in bananas, melted butter, sour cream, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla.
• Scrape into baking pan and smooth the top. Bake until the top springs back when lightly pressed in the center, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
• When cake is cool, make the glaze: In a medium or large pot (not a small one because the mixture will bubble up), combine butter, brown sugar, heavy cream and salt. Bring to a full boil and continue to boil over medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Whisk in confectioners' sugar until smooth, then immediately pour over cooled cake. Spread evenly across cake and let set for at least 30 minutes. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.

BANANA-CARAMEL SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees; you'll need a baking sheet.
• Sauce: Stir sugar and water in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil.
• Boil 5 minutes, without stirring, scraping down sides of pan if mixture starts to crystallize around edges, or until mixture is caramel-colored.
• Whisk in butter until melted.
• Remove from heat and whisk in cream (mixture will bubble vigorously).
• Scrape into a medium bowl; cover loosely and refrigerate until cool.
• Shortcakes: Whisk flour, walnuts, 2 T sugar, the baking powder and salt in a medium bowl until blended.
• Add cream; stir with a fork until mixture comes together to form a dough.
• Transfer dough to work surface and form into 6-inch long log.
• Cut into 6 rounds.
• Place rounds on ungreased baking sheet.
• Sprinkle tops with remaining sugar.
• Bake 14-17 minutes or until golden.
• Remove to wire rack to cool completely.
• To serve: Slice bananas and stir into caramel sauce.
• Beat cream, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form when beaters are lifted.
• Halve shortcakes with a serrated knife.
• Place bottoms on dessert plates.
• Top each bottom with scant 1/4 cup banana-caramel mixture, then about 3 T whipped cream.
• Top with biscuit tops, 2 T banana-caramel mixture and 1 T whipped cream.
• Garnish.
• To plan ahead: Bake shortcakes no more than 8 hours before serving.
• When they're cool, store tightly covered at room temperature.
• Make the caramel sauce up to a week ahead and store in the refrigerator.
• Of course, if time's really short, you can substitute bottled caramel sauce for the homemade.