Waffles with banana & salted caramel sauce

• light muscovado sugar↗140g g
• golden syrup↗2 tbsp tbsp
• butter↗50g g
• double cream↗300ml ml
• large eggs↗4

  separated

• plain flour↗300g g
• bicarbonate of soda↗½ tsp tsp
• golden caster sugar↗2 tbsp tbsp
• butter↗50g g

  melted

• milk↗600ml ml
• bananas↗2

  peeled and cut into large pieces

• butter↗1 tbsp tbsp
• vanilla ice cream

  (optional)

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Put the sugar, golden syrup and butter in a saucepan and heat gently, stirring occasionally, until everything has melted together. When the mixture starts to bubble, stir in the double cream and cook for 2 mins. Stir in 1/2 tsp salt, then take off the heat and allow to cool slightly in the pan.

2. 2

   Heat the waffle maker (if you don't have one, you can use a griddle pan instead - see tip). Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks. In a separate large bowl, mix together the flour, bicarbonate, caster sugar and a pinch of salt. Make a well in the centre and add the egg yolks and melted butter. Start mixing with a balloon whisk; keep whisking as you slowly add the milk until you get a smooth, thick batter. Carefully fold in the egg whites with a metal spoon. Use a ladle to pour the batter into your waffle maker and cook for 5 mins or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat until all the batter has been used up - keep cooked waffles warm in a low oven until serving.

3. 3

   Just before serving, heat the remaining butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and fry the banana pieces until golden. Divide the waffles between 4 plates, top with the fried bananas, drizzle with salted caramel and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if you like.