The first snowfall always puts me in the mood for something warm & sweet, & today was no exception. With the cold settling in, this Bananas Foster felt like the perfect little moment of comfort: buttery, caramelized, and exactly what a snowy day calls for.

For the Dessert:

• 4 firm ripe bananas
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• Vanilla ice cream (for serving)

Start by melting the butter in a large skillet until it turns glossy & smells warm. Add the halved bananas cut side down & let them cook slowly, turning once, just until they soften & pick up a little golden color, no rushing & definitely no overcooking. Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, & nutmeg over the top & let everything melt together into a glossy caramel.

While that’s happening, gently warm the rum (and brandy if you’re feeling extra festive) in a small saucepan. When it’s hot, carefully light it with a long match & pour the flaming liquid over the bananas…it’s quick, dramatic, & always a moment! Let the flames settle on their own, give the skillet a soft swirl, then spoon the bananas & that gorgeous sauce over cold vanilla ice cream. It’s pure winter magic in under ten minutes.

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Today brought the very first snow of November in Leipzig, soft & quiet, the kind that instantly shifts the mood of the whole city. It fell just one day before the Weihnachtsmarkt opens, turning everything a little more magical & making the air feel crisp & festive. With the cold settling in & the promise of twinkling lights & warm spices around the corner, Bananas Foster felt like exactly the kind of cozy sweetness the day was asking for as the sun set at around 4:15pm.

Bananas Foster comes straight from New Orleans, a city that knows how to turn food into a little celebration. The dessert was created in the 1950s at Brennan’s Restaurant, back when New Orleans was the main entry point for bananas coming into the United States. To show off the fruit, the chef dreamed up this dramatic tableside dish: bananas caramelized in butter, brown sugar, & rum, then set on fire for a bit of flair. Fun fact – the dish was named after Richard Foster, a local businessman who loved good food & good company. Today, Bananas Foster is one of those classic American desserts that still feels thrilling every time you make it, flames or no flames.

There’s something so simple & perfect about ending a cold November day with a warm dessert like this. Bananas Foster comes together in minutes, but it gives you that soft, glowing feeling that lingers…the kind that makes you slow down, breathe, & enjoy the sweetness of the season. With the first snow outside & the Weihnachtsmarkt about to open, it felt like the loveliest little taste of winter magic.