Bananas Brulee

Nothing says "Dessert!" like a propane torch. This dessert is fast and easy to make, and most guests are impressed by the visual appeal of combining of dangerous tools and food!

Also, since Valentine's Day is coming up, this is a good way to make your special someone a unique treat while also wooing them with your torch wielding skills. Maybe if you have some properly curved bananas you can arrange them in the shape of a heart!

Also, it's a great treat for the kids. Even the young ones can help out with cutting the bananas or spooning on the sugar.

DANGER! DANGER! - This instructable uses a propane torch with an open flame capable of burning skin, hair, clothing, pets, furniture, and pretty much anything else combustible if it isn't used properly. If it is used properly, then none of those things should happen. Personal protective equipment should be used when appropriate.

Credit where credit is due - I learned about this from Alton Brown's TV show Good Eats. Check it out sometime, best cooking show ever.

Step 1 What You Need

You need some bananas (obviously), sugar, and a torch of some sort. A propane torch works fine, but the little hand-held butane torches will work too. Lighters, matches, and hair-dryers won't work. A scaled down version of Archimedes death ray might work, but that seems like too much trouble to construct.

Also, you'll need something fireproof to work on. We usually use a cookie sheet. Be careful you don't melt anything underneath it.

Comments

[beans8604]

 these came out great. Fun low fat snack!

[cantth1nk0fnam3]

can i use a lighter instead

[bloomautomatic]

your standard flick your  bic lighter probably wouldn't work.  you need something that can shoot the flame downward.  the lighters that look like a little blowtorch might do it.

[awang8]

Haha! Using a shop tool to create yummy food is funny enough, but a picture of a kid using a propane torch? What's next, making soup with a blowtorch? Who knows. Maybe one day the idea of "utensils" will change this will be part of every day living.

[The Ideanator]

i sometimes put bread on my grill to make some toast, its way faster then the toaster too.

[Thelonelysandwitch]

actually it is easier then you think to make soup with a blow torch. it is really funny to see peoples reactions when they walk into the kitchen and see you making soup with a blow torch.

[awang8]

I remember the propane torch in the shop. It specifically said "Keep out of reach of children.".

[bloomautomatic]

you have a talking torch? cool. seriously though, she was under direct adult supervision. if she couldn't handle it safely, I wouldn't have let her do it.

[awang8]

Uhh... You know what I mean by "said". PS: Yes I do know that you know what I mean by "said". I'm not stuipid. I'm just replying in a weird way. Meh I'm (security question - my age is (100/5)-15*4. That's right. I'm too young for I*s*r*c*a*l*s) and I know perfectly well how to use a propane torch WITHOUT aduly supervision. I don't endorse showing off, just very satisfied with my experience.

[bloomautomatic]

my age is (100/5)-15*4.

(100/5)-15*4 = -40. unless you have a negative age, I think you made a mistake in your calculation.

[awang8]

BODMAS/BOMDAS huh? My age is ((100/5)-15)*4 I like the "straight-up-and-down" sums which you just follow, no need for operation order.

[Thelonelysandwitch]

dude, I have seen a can of soda that said keep away from children. it is weird

[awang8]

??? Turbocarbonated! Yeah!!! You know those ones that jump 20 feet in the air when you open them?

[Thelonelysandwitch]

thats what happens when you shake them up and open them upside. (I think that it said keep out of reach of children because of the sharp edges)

[awang8]

(But why would a can have sharp edges? When you open it and the hole thingy cuts your lip?)

[Thelonelysandwitch]

possibly, it was an off brand soda anyway

[Los Angeles]

Wonderful, and your kids are freaking adorable.

[Thelonelysandwitch]

I found that if you just wave the torch over the sugar to melt it, and not make it turn brown it tastes even better.

[radhika]

it is really awesome.

[andycyca]

This does look delicious. Maybe with proper care you can do it in front of your guests / significant a-la-teriyaki style. Very good work sir.

[Fizzxwizz]

Don't you mean Teppanyaki?

[andycyca]

Damn, I seriously need to review my japanese. Thanks Fizz

[bjababy]

k totally tried this and totally fell in love

[bloomautomatic]

awesome.

[awang8]

Hmm... Interesting enough I flicked through a magazine and read an article called "The Power of Propane". It's all about cooking with propane torches! (Although most of it's just really caramellizing the tops of foods, like what you're doing here)

[Thelonelysandwitch]

I love theese, I just got one of those pocket torches (one like in the ad this is usually on the corner of the page) and I can use it to make these, great job, 5*

[T3hpw9ag3]

OMG HANAH MONTANA !

[Punkguyta]

what about using courser sugar??

[bloomautomatic]

It may take a little longer for the sugar to melt, but it should still work the same. Once it's melted, it's all the same.

[BigNateMI]

I made this the other day. Kiddo and the wife and I loved it! Easy to do, and finally found a use for my torch in the kitchen!

[shmuley95]

arent you getting gas (or whatever is burning) all over your banana?

[awang8]

But gas is... well... a gas. Gas circulates quickly.

[WLTR777]

I will be making this for the kids this weekend, thanks for sharing. P.S. Good Eats is my all time favorite cooking show.

[EL DOC]

scary

[Noodle god]

your daughter looks evil! But your son si so cute!

[austinburke.]

Good Eats is a great show!! I love Alton Brown!!

[bloomautomatic]

It's the only cooking show I'll watch. Other hosts just show you how to cook that particular dish. Alton shows you why you cook it like that and the chemistry behind it. Vince

[austinburke.]

definatly! thats what makes is interesting! BTW i tried this last night and is was delicious!! thanks for posting!

[nekoheehee]

that looks pretty tasty :D and just any propane torch will do, right? because I literally just bought one to do some plumbing work and now that that's done I have no use for it... maybe a snack is in order :)

[bloomautomatic]

Yes, any propane torch should work. If you can solder pipes with it, it will work for this. Go see Hank Hill, he can provide you with propane and propane accessories.