THE ULTIMATE HOMEMADE BANANA SPLIT

THE ULTIMATE HOMEMADE BANANA SPLIT

A CLASSIC BANANA SPLIT MADE FROM SCRATCH WITH SNOW-CHURNED ICE CREAM AND HOMEMADE TOPPINGS.

YIELD 2 generous banana splits

PREP TIME 45 minutes

FREEZING TIME 20-30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • Snow-Churned Vanilla Ice Cream
  • 500 ml heavy cream
  • 250 ml whole milk
  • 100 g sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
  • 4 egg yolks
  • Fine salt

Strawberry Coulis

  • 400 g very ripe strawberries, hulled (green tops removed)
  • 60 g sugar
  • Zest of 1 lemon (3 wide peels)
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Chocolate Syrup (Loose Ganache)

  • 150 g dark chocolate, chopped
  • 150 ml hot water
  • Pinch of salt

Whipped Cream

  • 250 ml heavy cream
  • 1 vanilla bean, scraped
  • 25 g icing sugar

Garnishes

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • Sugar, for caramelizing
  • Toasted salted peanuts, roughly chopped
  • Rainbow sprinkles

METHOD

1. Vanilla Custard Base

  • In a saucepan, heat cream, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
  • Whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale.
  • Temper with hot cream, return to the pot, and cook gently until thick enough to coat a spoon.
  • Strain, chill completely.

2. Snow-Churned Ice Cream (Outdoor Method)

  • Place a metal bowl outside in the snow.
  • Dig a pit, add a thick layer of coarse salt, and nest the bowl back in place.
  • Pour in the cold custard and stir continuously with a spatula until frozen and creamy.
  • Transfer to the freezer to rest 20-30 minutes for proper scooping.

3. Strawberry Coulis

  • Combine strawberries, sugar, lemon zest, and juice in a saucepan.
  • Simmer gently 15-20 minutes until jammy.
  • Blend until smooth. Chill.

4. Chocolate Syrup

  • Melt chocolate with hot water until smooth and fluid.
  • Season lightly with salt.
  • Transfer to a squeeze bottle and keep warm in hot water.

5. Whipped Cream

  • Whip cream with vanilla and icing sugar to soft peaks
  • or charge in a siphon with one N₂O cartridge.

6. Caramelized Bananas

  • Split bananas lengthwise.
  • Sprinkle with sugar and torch until caramelized, like crème brûlée.

ASSEMBLY

  • Scoop ice cream into an oval dish.
  • Place caramelized banana halves on each side.
  • Drizzle with chocolate syrup and strawberry coulis.
  • Finish with whipped cream, peanuts, and sprinkles.
  • Serve immediately.

By Laurent Dagenais

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