Growing up, Sunday afternoons were always a sweet affair in our household. After a long week, my family would gather in the kitchen to create our own versions of the classic banana split sundae. The air would fill with laughter as we debated toppings and scoops, but the best part was always the homemade caramel sauce that my grandmother would whip up. Today, I’m excited to share a modern twist on that cherished dessert, combining the nostalgic flavors of caramel and bananas with a hint of sea salt and a sprinkle of crushed pretzels for an irresistible crunch.

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe bananas, sliced
  • 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup crushed pretzels
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • Chocolate syrup (for drizzling)
  • Whipped cream (for topping)
  • Maraschino cherries (for garnish)

Instructions

Start by preparing the caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.

Gradually add the heavy cream to the mixture, whisking constantly to combine. Allow the sauce to boil gently for another 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt. Set aside to cool.

While the caramel is cooling, scoop the vanilla ice cream into serving bowls. Arrange the banana slices on top of the ice cream, allowing their sweetness to shine through.

Drizzle the warm caramel sauce generously over the bananas and ice cream, letting it cascade down the sides. For an added crunch, sprinkle the crushed pretzels and chopped pecans over the top.

Finish with a light swirl of whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and a maraschino cherry perched on top for that classic sundae flair.

Serve immediately and watch as your loved ones delight in this whimsical take on a nostalgic dessert. Each bite brings together creamy, sweet, and salty flavors that are sure to evoke memories of carefree days spent with family, just like those cherished Sundays from my childhood. Enjoy!