I received a new cookbook and it just opened right to the dessert section when I took it out of the wrapping, I kid you not. So I decided to look at recipes that would be quick and easy to try. I wanted something that I would have all the ingredients on hand. I chose the Bananas Foster Bake. This recipe can be simplified, if you choose not to use nuts it is just as tasty. You end up with a crisp crumb topping that is a sweet crunchy contrast to the bananas and raisins.

For 6 Servings the ingredients are:

1/2 cup  all-purpose flour

!/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp. dark rum or milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 Medium bananas, peeled and sliced lengthwise

1/4 cup of raisins

1/2 cup rolled oats

6 Tbsp. packed brown sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, cup up

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or macadamia nuts

Vanilla bean ice cream [optional]

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and 8×8-inch baking dish.
2. In a bowl stir together the first four ingredients [through salt]; add melted butter, milk, rum, and vanilla. Stir until smooth, Spread batter in prepared baking dish. Top with sliced bananas and raisins.
3. In a large bowl combine oats, brown sugar, and the 1/4 cup of flour and the remaining 1/4 cup of butter. Using a pastry blender or a fork cut in the cut-up butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the nuts. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over batter.
4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until browned and set. Cool in the pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. If desired serve warm with ice cream.