If you were to ask me what’s the very best thing I could think of to make with this Chocolate Bread I’ve been talking about all week, it would go something like this:
I’d grill a slice to get it nice and warm and a little bit toasted on the outside. Then I’d mound a generous scoop of Haagen-Dazs vanilla bean ice cream (or homemade if I had some) right in the middle, not minding in the least if some…or a lot…of it decided to melt on down the grilled ridges of the chocolate bread. After that I’d ladle on some caramelized bananas…and an extra ladle of that yummy caramel from the skillet. To finish it off, I’d sprinkle on some freshly toasted walnuts.
See, I told you I saved the best for last.
Thanks for joining me for Chocolate Bread Panini Week! If you missed them, check out my Brie & Basil Grilled Cheese on Chocolate Bread and Almond Butter & Raspberry Panini on Chocolate Bread recipes. I think we’ll have to go savory for a little while to counteract all this sugar. 
Panini Happy®
Open-Face Ice Cream Sandwiches with Caramelized Bananas and Walnuts
Caramelized Bananas adapted from Simmer Till Done
Makes 4 sandwiches
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup walnut halves
3 bananas, slightly green, not quite ripe, sliced crosswise into 1/4″ slices
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Dash of cinnamon
4 slices Chocolate Bread (recipe can be found here)
1 pint vanilla ice cream
DIRECTIONS:
Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350° for about 10 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant. Chop the nuts coarsely.
Place a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, sizzle one tablespoon of butter in the pan for a few seconds, then add bananas. Allow bananas to brown for about 30 seconds without stirring or moving them. Use a heat-proof spatula to turn bananas over, then add brown sugar, cinnamon, and remaining tablespoon of butter. Shaking pan to keep bananas moving, cook about one minute more, until sugar is melted and bananas are caramelized, but still solid. Remove from heat.
Preheat the panini grill to medium-high heat.* Grill bread slices for 2 to 3 minutes until toasted.
Top each slice of bread with a scoop of ice cream, caramelized bananas and a sprinkling of toasted walnuts. Enjoy!
*Alternatively, you can toast the bread in a regular toaster or toaster oven.
>Want more panini recipes? Check out the Recipe Index for a list of all recipes on Panini Happy.
Yup, it's a panini blog! Here, you'll find more than 80 of my original 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds wickedly awesome!
[Reply]
Mmm that chocolate bread sounds SO delicious. Especially with caramelized bananas. Now, I wonder what would happen if the chocolate bread were a chocolate BANANA bread, too? It would be banana-crazy! Yum
Sagan´s last blog ..Operation Lose Five Pounds: Painless Tips
[Reply]
Yikes, it all sounds so good. I’ve gotta go back & check out your chocolate bread!!
Lori @ RecipeGirl´s last blog ..How to Make Ricotta Cheese
[Reply]
Decadent! It’s like breakfast in dessert in one.
The Duo Dishes´s last blog ..No Dud of a Spud
[Reply]
this look out of control. omg, that is the last thing i need to see at 3:30 on a thursday!
katy´s last blog ..style: colorblocked
[Reply]
Oh.My.WORD. If I could only eat this the rest of my life I would die happy.
Julia´s last blog ..Poppy Seed Muffins
[Reply]
Oh wow! This sounds amazing. I just had a very disappointing lunch (purchased) and am now craving something sweet and delicious to make it all better!
Alejandra ´s last blog ..Join Me for Dessert!
[Reply]