Banana Bread (Top Chef)

Cake1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
3 ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups flour

To make the cake

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixer, cream together butter and sugar; then add in bananas and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and slowly add to batter. Mix to combine. Butter or pan spray in 9x9 inch pan. Bake for ~25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when tested.
   

Caramel Sauce
4 egg whites, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 T corn syrup

To make the caramel sauce

1. Put egg whites in mixer with whisk attachment. In a stainless steel pot, put sugar, water and corn syrup. Simultaneously place mixer on medium high and place pot on high atop stove. Continue with both until sugar is boiling and bubbles begin to thicken. Turn mixer to medium and in a steady and continuous slow stream, add sugar to whites. Turn mixer up and whisk until cool and very stiff.
   

Caramel Meringue
1 cup sugar
1 T corn syrup
2 T water
1 T butter
1/4 cup cream
1 T salt (approximately)

To make the meringue

1. Place sugar, corn syrup, and water in a stainless steel pot on high heat. Heat until caramel colored. Remove from heat and whisk in butter, then cream until sauce fizzes slightly. Let cool then add salt. Season until salt stands up to sweetness. To serve, top cake with caramel, then meringue. Torch meringue to brown.