Fridays are for outdoor fires. With our new stamped concrete patio to break in as much as possible, there has been an endless supply of ideas to cook on the grill. After we had burgers this night, Tyler wanted to make a dessert using the cast iron skillet, which to be honest, is perfect over the firepit. Use cast iron as they were designed, over a fire! Today, I am going to share a recipe for Tyler’s Banana Dessert made in a cast iron pan.

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Published September 20, 2022
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Why use cast iron?

In the past, we have spent weeks just using the cast iron pans in our kitchen. Eggs, pancakes, fish, bread, dessert, cookies and more can be cooked or baked in a cast iron pan. If you do not have a lot of money to spend on a good set, and want a truly versatile pan, cast iron is the way to go.

A brief history of cast iron

Cast iron pans were invented and first produced in the 1870’s by a company in Erie Pennsylvania. Famed for being the leading producers of cast iron, using the best materials to cast these pans, the company went on to create an entire industry standard for cookware. In the late 18th and early 19th century in Europe and America, when indoor kitchens became commonplace, cast-iron pans became more widely used.

“Founded in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1865, the Griswold Manufacturing company was, for almost a century, the leading American manufacturer of cast iron cookware. Even today, over 60 years after its sale to competitor Wagner Manufacturing, Griswold skillets are the epitome of quality heirloom cast iron and are considered collectors’ items. (My mother inherited a Griswold pot from her mother, and I am not-so-secretly coveting it for my own use.)”- click the link for a longer story of cast iron from Southern Kitchen

Recipe for a Banana Dessert

Ingredients for Tyler’s Banana Dessert

4 bananas
2 Tbsp butter
Dash salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1-2 cups marshmallows
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips; variety

Directions for Tyler’s Banana Dessert

1. Peel the bananas and place on a cutting board, then slice them into 1/2-inch-thick pieces.

2. Spray a 12-inch cast iron skillet with non-stick spray or spread vegetable oil over the surface with a paper towel, then, spread the bananas over the bottom of the pan.

3. Add butter to the banana slices in 1/2 Tbsp chunks, then sprinkle with 1/4 tsp sugar and a dash of salt.

4. Dice large marshmallows into smaller pieces or use mini marshmallows and then place half of them into the cast iron skillet over the bananas. Then, place half of the marshmallows in a small bowl and set aside for later. And when marshmallows come out, dada needs to share with little Elliana, of course.

5. Time to let your creativity shine! Grab out whatever ingredients you want to add to your Banana Dessert. Tyler decided on peanut butter and a variety of chocolate chips. Place 1/2 cup peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds, or until soft.

6. Grab another banana, peel it and slice it into very thin pieces. Then place the banana pieces in a bowl with the now warm and melty peanut butter, making sure to stir well.

7. Pour the peanut butter and banana mixture on top of the bananas in the cast iron skillet, then spread it out evenly with a spatula.

8. Finally, sprinkle chocolate chips onto the banana and peanut butter mixture.

9. Make sure your fire is stoked and nice and hot, with not too many flames. Click the link below for my blog on how we made this stamped concrete patio in our backyard and added over $12K value to our house!

How we added over $12K to our house value!

Tyler is waiting so patiently for the coals to be just right on the fire before he adds the cast iron to the grill.

Place Tyler’s Banana Dessert on the ready fire

10. Place Tyler’s Banana Dessert on the grill over the fire and then place a grill cover on top to trap the heat, causing the heat to travel under the dome and help to cook the dessert.

When the concrete patio was FINALLY done, we splurged on this firepit. It has a rail around to keep the kids away at a distance. The grill swivels and has a 36-inch radius for grilling. Additionally, it is removable so you can set it aside when not needed and you just want a fire.

Tyler is waiting and checking, checking and waiting.

Every man needs a good torch. For example, Tyler used his torch to add a final touch to the marshmallows on top of the Banana Dessert.

Tyler has tools. As a construction worker, he has a plethora of tools at his disposal.
For this dessert, he used his torch to flame kiss the top of the marshmallows.
However, this is not always the case, and this Sondiko Butane Torch is MUCH more user friendly than a giant torch. Check it out below on Amazon so you can have this wonderful tool in your kitchen gadget arsenal.

Torches are so versatile. Not only do they light fires, but they also flame-kiss marshmallows on Tyler’s Banana Dessert. Then, it is back onto the fire for a final heat before finally serving, resulting in this dessert being seriously the most delicious thing ever!

The bananas became caramelized while the chocolate melted oh-so perfectly. To top it off, the flame-kissed marshmallows added the most amazing stickiness and flavor to the melty marshmallows.

Serve Tyler’s Banana Dessert and enjoy!
~Monica & Tyler of course

Tyler’s Cast Iron Banana Dessert Recipe

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