Banana caramel parfaits with whipped cream

Tip: tap a step to mark it as done.

1. Make the caramel cream:

   For the caramel cream, use sugar and butter. Caramelize the sugar in a skillet and let it firm up slightly. Beat the butter until fluffy, gradually add the caramel, and beat until thoroughly combined.

   Tip: Instead of caramel, use sweetened condensed milk (sold as Salko in Slovakia) cooked ahead of time. Cook it for about 4 hours, then let it cool completely before beating it into the butter with a mixer.

2. Make the vanilla custard:

   For the vanilla custard, use:

   • 1/4 cup cornstarch
   • 1/2 tsp salt
   • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
   • 3 cups whole milk
   • 2 tbsp butter
   • 2 eggs
   • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

3. Mix the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring until smooth. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching, until thickened.

   In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and stir in a few tablespoons of the hot mixture to keep them from curdling in the saucepan. Pour the tempered eggs into the thickened custard. Cook for 1 more minute, remove from the heat, and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. Cover the custard with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and let cool.

4. Make the crumb mixture:

   Place the cereal or BeBe cookies in a bowl, add the butter and powdered sugar, and mix until combined.

5. Assemble the dessert in glasses. Put the crumb mixture in the bottom of each glass and press it down with the base of another glass.

   

6. Spread a layer of caramel cream over the crumbs and add the bananas.

   

7. Continue with vanilla custard, caramel sauce, and a few crushed cookies.

   

8. Add another layer of caramel cream and top with whipped cream. Garnish with bananas and caramel sauce.

   

Tip: Slice the bananas just before layering them in the glasses so they do not turn brown. The cereal gradually softens in the cream, so assemble the dessert no more than a few hours before serving.

This recipe was translated from the Slovak original: Banánovo-karamelový dezert so šľahačkou a cereáliami