When Foodbuzz sent out an e-mail about supporting Ovarian Cancer Research, it really touched a special place in my heart My late grandmother battled Ovarian Cancer and throughout her struggle we offered her endless love and support. I miss her dearly and wish she were still here so I could’ve fed her this Banana Split:) (Love you nainai!)
Foodbuzz is offering to donate $50 for every banana split entry done by a Featured Publisher, so I knew I had to support the cause! The cause is run by Electrolux who has teamed up with Kelly Ripa to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research, you can find more information at Kelly’s website here.
Ovarian cancer effects tens of thousands of women each year. It is hard to say why one woman will be effected while another will not but there are certain risk factors. Women who have family histories of cancer, personal history of cancer, menopause, any woman over 55 and those who have never been pregnant all pose as risk factors for ovarian cancer. Therefore it is important to get annual exams at your gynecologist to ensure the health of your reproductive system.
So without further ado, here is my version of Banana Splits. I decided to make some caramel from scratch and paired it with some bourbon praline pecans — it’s pretty much heaven in your mouth. 
Ingredients for Bourbon Praline Pecans:
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup pecan halves, toasted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
Grease two baking sheets; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in the sugars, then cream; cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 236F° (soft-ball stage), about 20 minutes.
Remove from the heat; stir in the pecan halves, chopped pecans and bourbon. Immediately drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Let stand until pralines are set and no longer glossy. Chop the pralines into small chunks using a large knife. Store in an airtight container.
Ingredients for Caramel:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- Few drops of fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
In a small, deep saucepan, combine the sugar, water and lemon juice. Using a wet pastry brush, wash down the side of the saucepan. Bring to a simmer over moderately high heat and cook without stirring, until the caramel just begins to color around the edges, about 5 minutes. Gently swirl the pan and simmer until the caramel turns a medium amber color, about 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Using a long-handled wooden spoon, stir in the heavy cream. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
Ingredients for Caramel Banana Split: (serves 2)
- 1 pint of vanilla ice cream (I like Haagen Daz)
- 1 banana, halved vertically
- 1/2 cup whipped cream
- 1/2 cup caramel
- 1/4 cup bourbon praline pecans
You can assemble your banana splits however you like! I like to put my bananas down first, then place a couple scoops of ice cream on top. Then I will top it with whipped cream and garnish with the pecans and drizzle GENEROUSLY with the caramel You can garnish with a cherry if you’d like, I’m not such a fan of Maraschino so I used fresh cherries!
This looks wonderful! Thank you for your story. My nana passed away from bone cancer, but I am glad FB is doing something like this. I wish I had time to post something.
This has got to be the most glam looking banana split I’ve ever seen. Love the modern interpretation. I bet it tastes even better than it looks, too!
I’m so used to the “boat-like” banana splits that this upright version is confusing me, lol! Beautiful presentation, Joy
And your photos are so yummy that I feel like I could pluck that cherry off my monitor and eat it at my desk.
Oooooh these look fabulous. I just love bananas too.
I too sadly lost a relative to ovarian cancer. May fab Tia Chris as I called her, Tia meaning Auntie in Spanish, passed away 3 years ago at the young age of 59. I too now have cancer, but I’m taking the journey with colon cancer.
Now I’m craving banana splits!!!
Sheer joy, these upright little things.. Yummy
- Kausambi
http://coloredgrains.wordpress.com
A beautiful banana split for a worthy cause! It’s the first standing banana split I have seen. Each time I see a banana split I would smile widely cos I think my smile looks like a lovely banana split
But with yours…let me see. I have to turn my head sideways to smile now…LOL
This is lovely take of banana split.
Dazzling and delicious – beautiful photos as always and just such a lovely display – I think this is such a worthy cause!
You make and present the most delicious looking food. Beautifully written and done for such an important cause.
Joy! This is sinfully delicious & beautiful…
Heaven in your mouth is right–and gorgeous too, as usual.
looks great nice job on this one!
Thank you for the information on ovarian cancer. It’s good information for all women.
The banana split you did for the post however is quite distracting with all it’s gorgeousness and yumminess
Oooh…I’m speechless. This is amazing, your banana split look so classic. Your pictures are so lovely as always
So kind of you to help support the cause.
Lovely photos!
Such a wonderful post! I am so touched by your story and the split looks amazingly scrumptious. Well done, Joy. Hope you’r eenjoying your day.
Cheers, Kristy
Great job on the banana splits, Joy. They look awesome!
I’m sure your nainai would be really proud of you for using something so delicious to spread awareness and raise money for a cure.
Wow, the presentation is amazing and I’m sure it’s delicious as well!
Lovely presentation and they are without a doubt the prettiest banana splits around:)
Really beautiful presentation. The cherry colour makes the whole thing pop – fab!
this is a banana split like no other… i may just stare at it and not eat it since it’s so pretty.
glad to know that this is for a good cause joy… warm hugs for your kindness….
This is absolutely stunning and elegant! I can tell that there was a lot of love that went into your banana split. My heart goes out to your grandmother – I also share that terrible loss that cancer brings.
Holy cow…. this looks so yummy! Your photos, as usual, are adorable!!!!
Good luck with moving week
Such an inspiring story and great cause! Love the banana split! It looks absolutely decadent and beautiful! The photography, as always, is gorgeous!
Joy I think you did the cause justice with your magnificent Banana Split!
This looks incredible, Joy! I have a weakness for banana splits that I try not to indulge too often – but the next time I splurge – I’ll be pulling from this! Hope you are well. ( :
This is such a great cause to participate in. I like the way you presented these banana splits – so elegant!
lovely and indulging presentation
very elegant! a fellow foodie tagged me as a versatile blogger but after rummaging through your blog, hands down, it suits you more. thus, i forward the versatile blogger award to you 
Hi Joy – I just wanted to let you know that I chose your post as my Weekly WOW! – I thought you did a fantastic job!
This sounds so delicious!! Thanks for the great recipe! I love your blog, I’ll deffinitely be back to read more
this looks amazing! just discovered your blog and loving reading through the posts!
you have sucha wonderful pictures here, soooo hungry
Maybe you should make changes to the post name title Electrolux #splits: Caramel Banana Split with Bourbon Praline Pecans to more suited for your blog post you write. I liked the post even sononetheless.
OH GOSH! This is definitely going to be in my dessert list!!!