Toffee Fudge Bananas With Toasted Nuts Recipes

TOFFEE-FUDGE BANANAS WITH TOASTED NUTS

Steps:

• Right, on your marks, get ready... Pop the Brazil nuts, spread out on some foil, under the grill about 4 inches (10 cm) from the heat and put a timer on for 3 minutes (if you don't have a timer keep an eye on them, because they will burn if you forget them), then keep them to one side for later. You can also watch how to do this in our Online Cookery School Video. Now peel and slice the bananas into thin rounds and place them in a large bowl, then add the yoghurt and mix well. Next, divide the mixture between the serving glasses and simply sprinkle the sugar equally over the 4 portions of banana. Now cover with clingfilm and leave in the fridge for about 3 hours - after this time the sugar will have transformed itself into lovely pools of fudge sauce. Now all you need to do is chop the toasted nuts, sprinkle them on top, serve and wait for the compliments.

FROZEN BANANA BITES

Steps:

• Cover a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Spoon a thin layer of peanut butter on top of each banana slice. Insert a toothpick through the peanut butter layer into the banana. Place banana bites onto the prepared baking sheet; freeze for 30 minutes to overnight.
• Melt chocolate and shortening in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching.
• Cover another baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Remove 2 to 4 banana bites from the freezer at a time; coat each bite with chocolate mixture. Place coated banana bites on the second baking sheet; sprinkle each with toffee bits. Repeat until all the bites are coated. Return banana bites to freezer until set, at least 1 hour. Allow bites to sit in room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.

STICKY TOFFEE BANANA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter and line a 900g loaf tin with a strip of baking parchment.
• Beat the butter and both sugars in a bowl for 5 mins with an electric whisk until really fluffy. Whisk the eggs, banana and yogurt in a separate bowl until mostly smooth, then whisk this into the butter and sugar mixture. Fold in the flour and baking powder until just combined, then fold in the dates and nuts. Spoon into the tin, smooth over the top and bake for 1 hr-1 hr 15 mins until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then lift out using the strip of parchment. You can serve it warm now, or leave to cool completely on a wire rack. Will keep for four days in an airtight container.
• Meanwhile, make the toffee sauce. Put the sugar in a heavy-based frying pan and melt over a medium-low heat until light golden brown and liquid - don't stir, just tilt the pan to melt the sugar. Carefully whisk in the butter until smooth, then pour in the cream slowly and bring to a bubble. Mix until the sauce is smooth and shiny. Pour into a heatproof bowl, cover and leave to cool to room temperature.
• For the brittle, put the sugar in a frying pan with 2 tbsp water over a medium heat, stir briefly, then simmer for 10 mins until the caramel turns amber. Don't stir after the initial mix, just tilt the pan to get an even deep golden colour.
• Meanwhile, line a baking tray with baking parchment. Carefully stir the nuts, banana chips and salt into the caramel, until well coated, then pour onto the tray. Tip the tray (or use a spoon) to make sure the nuts are in a single layer - or they will be harder to separate later. Leave to cool completely before breaking the brittle into shards.
• Stir the toffee sauce to loosen if it's become stiff, or warm for a few seconds in the microwave (add a splash more cream if you need to), then drizzle over the cake so it drips down the sides. Top with the shards of brittle. Will keep for two days in an airtight container.

TOFFEE & SESAME BANANAS

Steps:

• Toss the bananas in 2 tbsp of the sugar. Heat a griddle to medium, then cook the bananas, a few pieces at a time, until sticky and showing griddle marks. Keep warm in a low oven.
• For the sauce, put the remaining sugar, the butter and cream into a saucepan and stir over a gentle heat until the sugar has melted. Stir in the sesame seeds. Can be made up to a day ahead. To serve, put a few pieces of banana into 8 serving dishes, spoon over some of the caramel, then top with a scoop of ice cream.

BANANA & PECAN FUDGE LOAF

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Butter and line the base of a 900g loaf tin. Mix together the bananas, eggs, butter, toffee yogurt and sugar, until well combined. Sift the flour and baking powder together and fold into the mixture, then fold in three-quarters of the pecan nuts and half the toffees.
• Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the top. Sprinkle on the remaining nuts and toffees. Bake for 50-55 mins until the loaf is risen and feels springy. Cool in the tin, then remove and peel off the lining. Will keep, wrapped, in an airtight container, for up to 3-4 days.