Grilled Banana Bread Ice Cream Sandwiches
Banana bread is delicious year-round, but this recipe offers a summertime twist: grilled banana bread ice cream sandwiches! Grilling the bread adds a toasty flavor and helps it hold up in the freezer. Vanilla ice cream is classic, but coconut gelato is a delicious alternative. You can even use homemade ice cream for endless possibilities.
Banana bread is delicious year-round, but this recipe offers a summertime twist: grilled banana bread ice cream sandwiches! Grilling the bread adds a toasty flavor and helps it hold up in the freezer. Vanilla ice cream is classic, but coconut gelato is a delicious alternative. You can even use homemade ice cream for endless possibilities.
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 3/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter melted
- 3 medium unpeeled bananas
- 1/2 cup whole buttermilk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or pure vanilla extract)
- 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
- 1 carton (1.5 quarts) favorite ice cream flavor
- Carbohydrate 22.9804853062625 g
- Cholesterol 93.2118875256722 mg
- Fat 38.6232090099916 g
- Fiber 0.632812511982195 g
- Protein 4.69924315972771 g
- Saturated Fat 22.3803223436825 g
- Serving Size 1 1 ice cream sandwiche (154g)
- Sodium 7707.72206730924 mg
- Sugar 22.3476727942803 g
- Trans Fat 2.55740998515363 g
- Calories 451 calories
Step-by-step
- For the banana bread: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place bananas on a parchment-lined sheet pan and pierce a few times with a fork or skewer. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until the banana peels are black. Remove pan from oven. Once they have cooled enough to touch, peel and mash as thoroughly as possible.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar on medium speed for 5 minutes.
- In a slow and steady stream, add the melted butter, followed by the oil, into the egg mixture until blended.
- Add the buttermilk and vanilla bean paste to the mashed bananas and whisk vigorously. Stir the banana mixture into the egg mixture.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients into the batter until combined but not over mixed. Fold in the nuts, if using.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and cook for 1 hour. Let cool on wire rack before removing from pan.
- For the sandwiches: Preheat a gas or charcoal grill (or an indoor grill pan) on medium-high heat. Cut off the crust of the ends and slice the banana bread crosswise into 16 thin pieces.
- Place the banana bread slices on the grill and cook until dark grill marks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Allow bread to cool before making the sandwiches.
- Remove the ice cream from the freezer and thaw until spreadable but not melted, 5 to 10 minutes. Scoop a generous amount of ice cream (about 1 cup) on a slice of grilled banana bread and spread evenly across the surface to make 1/2-inch of ice cream filling.
- Top with another slice of banana bread, pressing firmly to even out the ice cream. Wipe excess ice cream from the edges and wrap sandwich tightly with plastic wrap.
- Freeze sandwich and continue with remaining sandwiches. (You may need to put the ice cream carton back in the freezer a few times throughout the process to keep it from getting too runny.)
- Chill the sandwiches until the banana bread is frozen, at least 1 hour. Remove sandwiches from plastic wrap.
- Using a serrated knife, cut off a thin piece from all four sides to create a smooth, clean-looking sandwich.
- Allow to thaw for a few minutes before serving, to soften the bread and ice cream.
Grilled Banana Bread Ice Cream Sandwiches: A Summertime Delight
Summertime is here, and I'm all about embracing the season's warmth and flavors. This year, I decided to put a fun twist on a classic treat – the ice cream sandwich. But forget everything you think you know about ice cream sandwiches! These aren't your average, store-bought, bland delights. No, my friends, these are grilled banana bread ice cream sandwiches, and they are a revelation!
The secret? Grilling the banana bread! I know, it sounds a little crazy, but trust me on this one. The grilling process adds an incredible depth of flavor. It imparts a subtle smokiness and a delightful toasty char that perfectly complements the sweetness of the banana bread and the cool creaminess of the ice cream. Plus, the grilling helps the banana bread maintain its structure even when frozen, so your sandwiches won't turn into a mushy mess.
My love affair with banana bread is long-standing. It's a comfort food, a breakfast staple, a perfect snack…it's a baking chameleon! But, this year, I was craving something a bit different. Something that would capture the essence of summer. The idea of grilled banana bread came to me one evening while I was grilling some vegetables and the aroma just sparked a wave of inspiration. I had some leftover banana bread, a pint of my favorite coconut gelato, and a sudden urge to get creative. The result? Pure bliss.
The best part is the incredible versatility of this recipe. While my personal preference leans towards the rich and creamy combination of banana bread and coconut gelato, the possibilities are truly endless! Vanilla ice cream provides a classic and comforting pairing, while other flavors like strawberry, chocolate, or even coffee could create exciting new flavor combinations. And, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, why not try making your own homemade ice cream? The possibilities are as vast as your imagination. You can use any kind of nuts or spices you like to add your own touch to this great desert.
So, this summer, ditch the ordinary ice cream sandwich and embrace the extraordinary. Make these Grilled Banana Bread Ice Cream Sandwiches and transport yourself to a taste of summer perfection. They're the perfect treat for a hot day, a picnic in the park, or even just a cozy night at home. Prepare to be amazed by how simple ingredients, when combined with a little creativity and a dash of grilling magic, can become something truly special.
I've found that these sandwiches are best enjoyed slightly softened, allowing the ice cream to melt just a touch. This creates a beautiful balance of textures and temperatures. This dessert is very easy to do and makes a great treat for you and your family or friends. You can make some in advance and save them in your freezer. They're amazing!
Beyond the Recipe:
Making these ice cream sandwiches also gave me an opportunity to reflect on the simple joys of cooking and baking. It's not just about the end result; it's about the process. It's about taking the time to savor the flavors, to appreciate the textures, and to share the experience with loved ones. This process of grilling the banana bread reminds me of a simple life, it's peaceful and relaxing.
And, of course, no summer treat is complete without a touch of creativity and experimentation. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your liking, trying different types of ice cream, adding your favorite toppings, or even playing with different types of bread. The beauty of cooking is that it's always an adventure, and the possibilities are endless.
