Description
Irresistible banana bread pudding whisks classic comfort into a delightful dessert masterpiece. Creamy custard and caramelized bananas meld together, promising a warm embrace of sweet satisfaction you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 ripe bananas
- 6 slices day-old bread
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Sweeteners:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Spices and Extras:
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Slice ripe bananas into thin rounds, creating a layer of sweet, caramelized potential at the bottom of the baking dish.
- Tear day-old bread into rustic, uneven chunks, allowing for varied textures and maximum custard absorption.
- Whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl until smooth and slightly frothy, creating the foundation for the rich custard base.
- Pour whole milk and heavy cream into the egg mixture, stirring continuously to blend ingredients thoroughly.
- Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the liquid mixture, whisking until sugars completely dissolve.
- Gently fold bread chunks into the custard, ensuring each piece is evenly coated and saturated with the aromatic mixture.
- Layer soaked bread pieces over the banana slices in the prepared baking dish, creating an even distribution.
- Sprinkle chopped walnuts across the top for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor profile.
- Dot the surface with small pieces of butter to enhance richness and promote golden browning.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the pudding rises and develops a golden-brown crust with a slightly jiggly center.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes, allowing the pudding to set and develop deeper flavors before serving warm.
Notes
- Choose ultra-ripe bananas with dark brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper caramel undertones.
- Experiment with bread varieties like brioche, challah, or sourdough to create unique flavor profiles and textures.
- Toast walnuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty essence and prevent sogginess during baking.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute regular bread with gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg