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By Root 1044 0

Mix the condensed milk and 2 tablespoons of the brewed coffee in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-duty roasting pan until combined. Put the pan on the grill away from the direct heat, cover, and cook until the mixture boils, 8 to 10 minutes. Scrape the pan, especially the bottom, and stir the mixture with the scraper. Cover the grill and cook the dulce de leche until the mixture becomes thick and creamy, like pudding, about 15 minutes more, scraping every 5 minutes to make sure the bottom doesn’t overcook.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda. The mixture will bubble up; stir until the bubbles subside. Pass through a strainer into a bowl, and stir in 2 tablespoons of the remaining brewed coffee and all of the chocolate. When the chocolate has melted, stir the dulce de leche until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, stir in another tablespoon or so of coffee. Set aside until ready to serve.

4. Meanwhile, cut the bananas in half lengthwise through the peel, following the arc of the curve, so that when they are cut they will lie flat on the grill.

5. Mix the brown sugar, espresso, cocoa powder, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the cut sides of the bananas, pressing the mixture in gently with your fingertips.

6. Brush the grill grate and coat it with oil. Put the bananas cut-side down on the grill and cook until nicely grill-marked, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with the mocha dulce de leche.

Grilled Banana Splits

This is really why we make Grilled Mocha Bananas. Sure, the grilled bananas and mocha dulce de leche are great on their own. But they’re over the top in this banana split. Each serving gets three scoops of ice cream, a grilled mocha banana, a few generous ribbons of mocha dulce de leche and chocolate sauce, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. It’s our grill-marked version of a time-honored American indulgence.

TIMING

Prep: 5 minutes plus 45 minutes for Mocha Bananas)

Grill: 10 to 15 minutes

GRILL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

• See recipe for Grilled Mocha Bananas (facing page).

SHORTCUT

• For simpler grilled banana splits, grill the bananas as directed in the Grilled Mocha Bananas recipe, but omit the topping and the dulce de leche. Proceed as directed.

* * *

THE GRILL

Gas:

Direct heat, medium (350°F)

Clean, oiled grate on lowest setting

Charcoal:

Direct heat, medium ash

12-by-12-inch medium charcoal bed (about 3 dozen coals)

Clean, oiled grate on lowest setting

Wood:

Direct heat, medium ash

12-by-12-inch bed, 3 inches deep

Clean, oiled grate set 4 inches above the fire

INGREDIENTS (MAKES 4 LARGE SERVINGS)

For the chocolate sauce:

½ cup half-and-half

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1 tablespoon butter

4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

1 tablespoon rum or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Grilled Mocha Bananas (facing page)

For the whipped cream and ice cream:

½ pint (1 cup) heavy cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon rum, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ pint vanilla ice cream

½ pint chocolate ice cream

½ pint strawberry ice cream

4 maraschino cherries

DIRECTIONS

1. For the chocolate sauce, put the half-and-half, brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate and rum. Cover and keep warm. Or cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Reheat over low heat until warm. If the sauce is too thick, stir in 1 teaspoon of water at a time until it thins.

2. Heat the grill as directed. Chill a medium bowl and a whisk or beaters for the whipped cream.

3. Prepare the Grilled Mocha Bananas.

4. For the whipped cream and ice cream: Pour the cream into the chilled bowl and whisk vigorously or beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the cream barely forms soft peaks when the whisk or beaters are lifted. Whisk or beat in the sugar and rum.

5. To assemble the banana splits, mound a scoop (about ¼ cup) of vanilla, a scoop of chocolate, and a scoop of strawberry