BANANA-CREAM PARFAITS

Banana-Cream Parfaits image

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 cup chilled crème fraîche*
3 ripe bananas, peeled, cut on diagonal into 1/3-inch-thick slices
1 1/2 cups coarsely crumbled Coconut Shortbread Cookies plus 6 whole cookies for garnish

Steps:

Combine cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and brown sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Simmer until liquid is reduced to 1 1/3 cups, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Pour liquid into bowl; chill until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
Using electric mixer, beat crème fraîche and 1/4 cup sugar in medium bowl until thickened and fluffy (mixture will thin out at first but then will thicken). Discard vanilla bean and whisk vanilla cream until smooth. Divide vanilla cream among 6 glasses; top each with 5 banana slices. Sprinkle 1/4 cup crumbled cookies over each. Divide whipped crème fraîche among glasses. Top with remaining banana slices. (Can be prepared 45 minutes ahead. Cover and chill.) Place 1 whole shortbread cookie in each glass and serve.
*Available at some supermarkets.