French toast with bananas and cream cheese ring

Indulge in a classic French toast with a tropical twist

French toast is a beloved classic in breakfast cuisine. It has a slightly custardy flavour, enriched by hints of vanilla and cinnamon and a perfect textural harmony with its crispy exterior and soft, moist interior. In our recipe, this breakfast treat takes a decadent turn with a tropical twist from the creamy, flavourful Caribbean cream cheese with lime and coconut.

Richness from caramelised pan-fried bananas

Caramelised bananas add an irresistible layer of decadent and comforting richness. Experience the surprising sensation of the bananas as they sizzle in the pan and develop a golden-brown crust. Here, their natural sugars intensify into a sweet, deep caramel flavour with hints of molasses and vanilla. Halved instead of sliced, the bananas retain their structure, so they do not become too mushy as they caramelise, leaving you with a delicious, tender mouthfeel.

Let the tropical flavours from lime cream cheese with coconut carry you away

Allow yourself to get carried away to a Caribbean beach and unwrap a moment of pure delight from the lime and coconut cream cheese ring. Its creamy, easily spreadable consistency makes it the ideal topping for the cinnamon-infused banana French toast, allowing the flavours and textures to meld together beautifully. The tangy, zesty lime entwines with the sweet, slightly nutty coconut to create a refreshing and indulgent flavour profile, perfectly complementing the warm spices, fruity banana, and sweet caramel.

Fresh pineapple, mint, and syrup complete the experience

Garnish the whole thing with fresh mint and syrup and discover how this version of French toast becomes an exquisite symphony of flavours and textures. The fresh pineapple highlights the exotic notes in the cream cheese and accentuates the overall flavour with its tangy freshness. It also goes perfectly with the sweet, caramelised bananas. The mint adds a refreshing burst, cutting through the sweetness. Drizzling syrup over the top ties all the elements together and creates a balanced and utterly delectable flavour experience.

Start your day with a French toast breakfast

French toast is a classic breakfast, and although it is almost as sweet as dessert, this dish is the perfect way to start the day. Combine the flavours of the Caribbean and enjoy the fresh, sweet notes of pineapple, banana, lime, and coconut with the well-known cinnamon-sweetness of an authentic French toast.

You can also try the delicious Caribbean cream cheese ring on a breakfast platter by serving a tropical cream cheese bagel with banana and strawberries or enjoy it for brunch or as a snack on an appetiser platter with cream cheese and chocolate. Or lean into the sweetness of the lime and coconut flavour and make these cheesecake bites with the Caribbean cream cheese ring.

Try a personalised version

Make a coconut-crusted French toast by mixing shredded coconut into the egg mixture. The coconut will toast as you fry the bread on the pan, adding a crunchy texture and enhancing the Caribbean theme. To explore the tropical flavours further, make a pineapple and mango salsa instead of serving with chunks of pineapple. Mix diced pineapple, mango, a squeeze of lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a hint of chilli for a spicy kick, adding freshness, acidity, and a spicy contrast to the sweet and creamy elements.

You can also make a banana and cream cheese stuffed French toast. Make banana slices instead of halved, caramelise them, and let them cool. When cool, mix them with cream cheese and spoon the mixture onto a slice of bread, then top with another slice of bread and fry in a pan with butter.