Dulce de leche and banana ice cream sandwiches

A delicious way to use some of the 20+ ripe bananas left over from soccer snacks. (Note to self: don't bring fresh fruit in addition to Sun Chips and juice boxes. The fruit won't be popular.) This was very easy and can be made ahead. It received rave reviews. Even the littlest crowed, "Mom, you did such a good job with the ice cream!"

Dulce de leche and banana ice cream sandwiches
(adapted from Gourmet Today)

1 cup very cold heavy cream
1/2 cup dulce de leche*
2 ripe bananas
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
6 (7-inch) flour tortillas (not low-fat)**
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

*Dulce de leche is sweet, gooey caramelized milk from Latin America. I found a jar at my local Whole Foods in the ice cream topping section.
**The flour tortillas were Trader Joe's.

Preheat oven to 350˚ F.

Beat cream with an electric mixer in a metal bowl until it just holds stiff peaks. Reduce speed to low and beat in dulce de leche, bananas, and lime juice. I broke the bananas into a few pieces and just threw them into the bowl. Beat until combined.


A watched pot doesn't boil, but does watched cream form peaks?

Freeze until slightly firm, but not frozen hard. At least 1 hour.

Meanwhile, brush tortillas on both sides with butter. Arrange in one layer on a baking sheet and toast, turning once, until golden. 12-16 minutes. The tortillas will puff up. Cool completely.



Divide the cream mixture between 3 tortillas. Top with the remaining 3 tortillas. Freeze on baking sheet, loosely covered with foil, until firm. About 1 hour.



Cut sandwiches in half (or quarters) with a serrated knife. Serve. Can be served with a dark chocolate sauce. We ate ours plain. The ice cream sandwiches can be frozen for up to a day.



The dulce de leche banana cream was incredibly delicious all on its own. My sprouts licked every spatula and spoon clean. I wonder if it could be served cold like a pudding. Or layered with not-very-sweet shortbread. Or dolloped over fresh mango slices. Mmmm...I foresee some high calorie culinary experiments ahead.

While the children were waiting for the cream to freeze, I quickly made some cinnamon sugar tortilla puffs. Lightly brush melted unsalted butter on both sides of tortillas. Cut into wedges if you'd like. (I was lazy and didn't). Sprinkle with mixed cinnamon sugar. Toast in the oven for several minutes. The tortillas will be puffed and slightly browned. Yummy and easy!





Dulce De Leche