Banana-Cream Parfaits

• 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 creme fraiche*
• 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

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

heavy whipping cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla bean, chilled creme fraiche, bananas

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/banana-cream-parfaits-109281 (may not work)