Craving an easy dessert recipe that feels like a warm hug? This Banana Bread Pudding transforms stale bread and ripe bananas into a comforting, sweet treat. You’ll love how simple it is to create this delightful dish with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Bread: Use stale white bread, challah, brioche, or day-old croissants.
- Bananas: Overripe bananas work best for sweetness and easy mashing.
- Milk: Any kind of dairy or non-dairy milk (almond, soy) works.
- Eggs: Essential for binding; no direct substitution.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is standard; brown sugar adds a deeper flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor; no direct substitution.
Ingredients:
Main:
- 4 cups stale bread, cubed (about 6-8 slices)
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar
- Sliced fresh bananas
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories per serving: Approximately 350
- Tools Needed: 8×8 inch baking dish, large mixing bowl, whisk.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Baking Dish
Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your easy dessert recipe. Distribute the cubed stale bread evenly in the prepared dish.
2. Mash the Bananas
In a large bowl, mash your ripe bananas until mostly smooth. This adds natural sweetness and a lovely banana flavor to your bread pudding. Don’t worry if there are a few small lumps.
3. Whisk the Custard
Add the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to the mashed bananas. Whisk until all the ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved. This creates the rich custard base for your easy dessert recipe.
4. Combine and Soak
Pour the banana custard mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Gently press down the bread to ensure all pieces are submerged and can soak up the liquid. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
5. Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the pudding is set and golden brown on top. A knife inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Let the banana bread pudding cool slightly before serving. Dust with powdered sugar or top with fresh banana slices if desired. This easy dessert recipe is wonderful served warm.
Variation Ideas:
- Nutty Twist: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the bread mixture before baking.
- Spice It Up: Include ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg in the custard for extra warmth.
- Chocolate Chip Delight: Fold in ½ cup chocolate chips with the bread cubes for a decadent touch.
Storage Instructions:
Store any leftover Banana Bread Pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Can you make this easy dessert recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator before baking.
What kind of bread is best for bread pudding?
Stale, dense breads like challah, brioche, or French bread work wonderfully as they absorb the custard well without becoming mushy.
Why did my bread pudding turn out watery?
This often happens if you used fresh bread instead of stale bread, or if the bread didn’t soak long enough. Ensure your bread is stale for best results.
Can you freeze banana bread pudding?
Yes, once cooled, you can freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Do you serve this easy dessert recipe warm or cold?
Banana bread pudding is traditionally served warm, but it’s also delicious chilled.
How do you know when bread pudding is done?
It’s done when the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. The pudding should feel set.