Banoffee is a hugely popular dessert that almost everyone loves: a crunchy, slightly salty base of crackers, biscuits or cookies paired with sweet caramel and fragrant banana, all crowned with soft, silky whipped cream.
The name "banoffee" comes from "banana" and "toffee". Banoffee comes in many forms: it can be made in individual cups or as a whole pie, known as banoffee pie. It is a classic English-style dessert whose key components are a base of finely crushed crackers, biscuits or cookies, caramel, ripe bananas, and whipped cream piped on top in various shapes.
The Caramel
The caramel in banoffee can be made in several ways: ready-made caramel, caramel cooked from sugar, butter and condensed milk, or caramel made by boiling sweetened condensed milk until it turns brown. For the last method, bring a pot of water to a medium heat and boil the unopened can of condensed milk for about 2 hours. For a darker caramel, boil it longer. Because this method takes quite a long time, many recipes prefer to make caramel with sugar and condensed milk instead.
The Base
For the base, choose biscuits, butter cookies, chocolate cookies or crackers in a flavour you like. Crush them finely, mix with melted butter and press into your chosen container. Importantly, chill it in the regular compartment of the fridge for at least 1 hour so the base sets.
Making Caramel from Sugar
To make caramel with sugar, use a heatproof pot and cook the sugar over medium heat until it melts and turns the amber colour you want. Then add warm whipping cream (so the caramel does not spit), followed by the remaining ingredients such as condensed milk, butter or salt.
Assembling the Banoffee
Once everything is ready, layer it all into the container with the biscuit, cookie or cracker base. Top with banana, add the caramel, pipe on the whipped cream, and drizzle over more caramel if you like.
Tips for Making Caramel
- Spread the sugar evenly over the bottom of the pot. Do not stir while it cooks, or the sugar will crystallise. If you are worried about burning, gently swirl the pot instead.
- Never add cold liquid to hot caramel, as it will spatter and can be dangerous. Always warm the whipping cream on the stove before adding it.
- Choose ripe bananas, as they taste sweeter.
Once everything is prepared, it is ready to enjoy. When you make it yourself, you can decorate it however you like and pile on as much as you want.
