This decadent bananas foster bread pudding is sure to be a favorite. French bread gets baked into submission when submerged in sweet custard and drenched in a lovely caramel and banana rum laden sauce. If you love this, definitely try this wonderful Best Bread Pudding, Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars, Banana Pudding Tiramisu and Banana Bread recipe.
This Bananas Fosters Bread Pudding recipe was necessary this week. I needed to make something that would tame my wildest of cravings; something so rich and delicious that I would think about it for weeks to come. But also, I needed something worthy of a celebration.
Recently, I turned in my final cookbook edits and stood completely depleted of everything: energy, creativity, drive. I found myself in need of something that would reignite my passion and stick to my ribs with its gooey notes of sweetness. This recipe became that.
I realize that Bananas Foster Bread Pudding may not be this heroic for most people but it was for me. Dessert is my first love. Creating it makes me feel whole. Eating it makes me feel deserving. And sharing it makes me feel selfless. This gave me just the boost I needed, and the celebration I deserved. I’m ready to get back in the race.
WHAT IS BANANAS FOSTER?
Bananas Foster is a classic American dessert that originated in New Orleans. Let’s be honest, anything that comes from Louisiana is a guaranteed good time.
Bananas Foster is made by caramelizing bananas and tossing them in a butter, brown sugar and rum sauce. This is a super simple dessert usually served with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
WHAT IS BREAD PUDDING?
A traditional bread pudding is made using cubed bread tossed in a simple custard and baked until golden brown. During baking, each piece of bread soaks up the lightly sweetened custard and takes on its flavor. The resulting texture is airy with a slight chew; puddings strike a delightful balance between lightness and body.
CREATING BANANAS FOSTER BREAD PUDDING
The only thing healthy about this recipe is the addition of bananas, I will start there. Unfortunately this is not a recipe to try if a shrinking waistline is on your wishlist. This is pure decadence in the form of custard baked bread and sugar laden caramel. Truly it is all your heart’s desires in one single bite. A delightfully high-on-life sugar rush is likely to ensue after completion, and that sounds heavenly to me.
Bananas Foster and Bread Pudding are two of my absolute favorite desserts. Each one is equally decadent and worth every single sweet bite. Merging these two treats together was bound to make for the ultimate flavor explosion.
HOW TO MAKE BANANA FOSTER BREAD PUDDING
This recipe is made up of some of the best ingredients ever! If you’re curious about how and why they came together, I’ll let you in on the secret.
Coconut Milk
Most other bread pudding recipes use a variation of cow’s milk. But, I find that the creaminess of coconut milk lends itself beautifully to this pudding. The added hint of coconut flavor is lovely and creates a slightly tropical feel.
Stale French Bread
Since bread is the base of this recipe, it’s important to use great bread! French Bread has a flavorful, crisp crust and a light, airy interior. I prefer to let my bread sit out for a couple days to develop a stale texture. It helps to create a sturdier base that won’t succumb to the liquid mixture and get mushy. No one likes mushy.
Corn Syrup
I don’t often use corn syrup in my recipes but in this one, it’s essential. Corn Syrup provides sweetness and moisture; it also prevents the crystallization of sugar. Just a small amount helps to create a smooth texture in sauces, candies and even ice cream!
Caramel sauces are susceptible to being grainy and hardening quickly. That’s where corn syrup comes in to save the day!
Rum Extract
I love the flavor of rum but I also love to develop recipes the entire family can enjoy. Rum extract imitates the molasses-like flavor of rum while avoiding the alcohol content.
GRANDBABY’S BEST BANANAS BONANZA
If you’re a banana fan like I am (wow, what a rhyme), you’ll love Grandbaby Cakes BEST banana inspired recipes!
Check ‘em out:
- HOMEMADE BANANA PUDDING
- BANANA PUDDING CHEESECAKE BARS
- NO-BAKE BANANA CHEESECAKE
- SKINNY BANANA ICE CREAM MILKSHAKES
Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/4 cup coconut milk (or any milk you prefer
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 1/2 cups stale french bread broken into small pieces
For the Bananas Foster:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- Pinch nutmeg
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 banana cut in slices
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon rum extract
Instructions
For the Bread Pudding:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together eggs and yolk, milk, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Fill 2-3 large ramekins with bread pieces then pour egg liquid over the tops of bread soaking each ramekin.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until bread pudding is set.
For the Bananas Foster:
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter then whisk in both sugars, corn syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.
- Continue cooking until it begins to bubble then whisk in heavy cream. Continue to cook over medium heat and allow it to begin to thicken.
- Stir in banana slices and continue to cook until a thick sauce has developed and coats the back of a spoon. Turn off heat and stir in vanilla and rum extracts then pour sauce over each bread pudding and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
This looks incredible! I can’t wait to make this for Thanksgiving with my family. Could this be made in a large baking dish (9 x 13) ? Would I have to double the ingredients and adjust the cooking time?
Yes exactly. You will need to do both!
So to make it in a 9 x 13 double the recipe? What about the cook time? I’m hoping to make this today!
Yes definitely double the recipe but you will need to check on the cooking time along the way to see when it is done. Sorry I don’t have more information but maybe try checking it after 30 additional minutes and see how far along it is.
I’m about to make this right now…super excited Jocelyn!!! I will tell you how it comes out?.
They’re the perfect size and the bananas look healthy (meaning they havent oxidized or gotten all mushy like some fosters ive seen) so thats really impressive!
I can’t wait to make this Jocelyn!!! This sounds and looks delish
Looooove these! I’ve been addicted to anything bananas lately. Another recipe I must try. Love your blog!
Hooray and thank you so much April!!