A simple Cape Verdean baked banana dessert — bananas simmered in sweet cinnamon-vanilla syrup, then baked and served warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Banana den forno is a wonderfully simple baked banana dessert — whole bananas gently simmered in cinnamon-vanilla syrup, then finished in the oven until soft and fragrant. Spooned over ice cream, it's pure five-ingredient comfort.
Prep 5 min
Cook 30 min
Total 35 min
Easy
- 4 Banana
- 2 tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Sugar
- 4 cups Water
Preparation
- Peel the bananas and boil them with the cinnamon, vanilla extract, sugar and water for about 20 minutes.
- Transfer to the oven and bake at 275°F for 10 minutes.
- Serve with your favourite ice cream.
Tips from the ZestyPlate Kitchen
- Use ripe but still-firm bananas so they soften without disintegrating.
- Simmer gently so the bananas absorb the spiced syrup rather than falling apart.
- A short bake at the end concentrates the syrup into a sticky glaze.
- Serve warm against cold ice cream for the best contrast of temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely — a little nutmeg, star anise or a strip of orange zest all sit beautifully alongside the cinnamon.
Warm, with vanilla ice cream or a spoon of thick cream to melt into the syrup.
It's best fresh and warm, but you can reheat gently and the syrup will loosen again.
