Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert. It combines the rich, indulgent chocolate with the natural sweetness of bananas, all nestled in a warm, custardy, delectable treat.
This rich and delicious bread pudding is a breeze, perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. It only takes a few minutes to assemble, and surprisingly, it tastes like a gourmet dessert!
It’s been a whirlwind of baking this week, and there’s nothing quite like creating a successful dessert.
Bread pudding usually isn’t my go-to, but this banana variation has won me over with the delightful natural sweetness of bananas and a richness that only chocolate can bring. It’s simply delicious!
This recipe all started when my husband and I visited our favorite Burmese restaurant, Burma Town, nestled in the town of Corte Madera. It’s a true culinary gem in the San Francisco Bay Area.
When we ordered their banana chocolate bread pudding, I was an instant fan. My only complaint was that I wished it had a bit more chocolate.
The very next day, I got busy recreating this dish. Of course, I added a lot more chocolate chips, and the result is this recipe.
I adore the addition of bananas and the sweetness and texture they bring to the dish.
HOW TO MAKE BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD PUDDING
INGREDIENTS:
- Challah Bread: Challah bread, with its soft and slightly sweet crumb, provides a wonderful base for this pudding, absorbing the custard mixture beautifully and lending a comforting, tender texture.
- Bananas: Bananas infuse natural sweetness and a pleasant fruitiness, elevating the pudding’s overall flavor while contributing to its moistness.
- Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips create delightful pockets of melty, rich chocolate throughout the bread pudding, adding a luxurious and indulgent touch to every bite.
- Eggs: Eggs serve as a binding agent, offering structure and richness to the pudding while ensuring a silky, custardy texture.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk adds a creamy and luscious quality to the custard base, enhancing the pudding’s overall richness.
- Sugar: Sugar sweetens the pudding, balancing the flavors and creating a light caramelization during baking that adds a delightful sweetness to each bite.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract provides a warm and aromatic depth to the pudding, enhancing its flavor profile with its sweet and fragrant notes.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon imparts a warm, aromatic spice that complements the sweetness of the bread pudding, adding depth and a cozy flavor to the dessert.
- Salt: Salt enhances and balances the sweetness, helping to bring out the chocolate’s richness and the bananas’ natural flavors, resulting in a well-rounded and harmonious taste.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1 – Preheat Oven and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Step 2 – Combine Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas and chocolate chips. Add the cubed challah bread and gently toss to distribute the bananas and chocolate throughout the bread cubes.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined.
Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish, ensuring that all the bread is soaked.
Step 3 – Transfer to Baking Dish
Transfer this mixture to the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Press down on the bread cubes gently with a spatula to ensure they are fully soaked in the liquid.
Allow the mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes so that the bread can absorb the liquid.
Step 4 – Bake Bread Pudding
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the pudding is set and the top is golden brown.
Step 5 – Remove From Oven and Cool
Once done, remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 Challah loaf Preferably use a day-old bread, and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- 2 bananas Use ripe bananas and mash them.
- 1 cup chocolate chips You can use chocolate chunks.
- 4 eggs Use large eggs.
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- butter or cooking spray Use to grease the baking pan.
Instructions
Step 1 – Preheat Oven and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Step 2 – Combine Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas and chocolate chips. Add the cubed challah bread and gently toss to distribute the bananas and chocolate throughout the bread cubes.In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined.Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish, ensuring that all the bread is soaked.
Step 3 – Transfer to Baking Dish
- Transfer this mixture to the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.Press down on the bread cubes gently with a spatula to ensure they are fully soaked in the liquid.Allow the mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes so that the bread can absorb the liquid.
Step 4 – Bake Bread Pudding
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the pudding is set and the top is golden brown.
Step 5 – Remove From Oven and Cool
- Once done, remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS BREAD PUDDING RECIPE
- Quick and Simple Preparation: This recipe comes together in mere minutes, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Rich Chocolate: It offers a deep, indulgent chocolate flavor that chocolate lovers will adore.
- Creamy Banana Sweetness: The natural sweetness and moisture from ripe bananas elevate the dessert’s taste and texture.
- Versatile Delight: It’s a versatile treat perfect for dessert, snack, or even breakfast, making it a go-to for various occasions.
- Moist and Flavorful: The pudding stays moist for days and actually improves in flavor over time, ensuring you can savor its deliciousness longer.
- Unique Dessert: It offers a distinct twist on traditional bread pudding, blending the richness of chocolate with the sweetness of bananas for a dessert that stands out.
BAKING TIPS:
- Use Stale Bread: Opt for slightly stale or day-old challah bread, as it absorbs the custard mixture better, resulting in a creamy texture.
- Ripe Bananas: Ensure your bananas are ripe with brown spots; they’ll add the ideal natural sweetness and moisture to the pudding.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to a dense pudding.
- Even Soaking: After pouring the egg and milk mixture, press down gently on the bread cubes with a spatula to ensure even soaking.
- Watch Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the pudding towards the end of baking; it’s done when set and golden brown on top.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the pudding to cool for a bit after baking; this resting period helps it set and improves its texture, making it easier to slice and serve.
HOW TO STORE THIS CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD PUDDING
To store chocolate banana bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out, and keep it at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for up to three months; thaw frozen slices in the refrigerator before serving.
WHAT IS CHALLAH BREAD
Challah bread is a braided bread that has a slightly sweet taste and a wonderfully soft, almost cake-like texture. It’s versatile too. Whether making a heavenly bread pudding or just tearing off a piece to savor on its own, challah adds a touch of tradition and comfort to any meal.
Yes, you can use regular bread, but challah’s rich and slightly sweet flavor adds a special touch to the recipe.
You can reduce the sugar content to your taste without compromising the structure of the pudding.
Yes, allowing the mixture to rest helps the bread absorb the liquid, resulting in a more flavorful and moist pudding.
Absolutely, you can freeze it for up to three months; just ensure it’s tightly wrapped to maintain freshness.
OTHER CHOCOLATE DESSERTS
Thank you for taking the time to drop by and explore this chocolate banana bread pudding recipe/ This is a wonderful quick, and easy gourmet dessert that you’ll love. Your visit means a lot!
Until my next recipe,
Cheers,
Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com
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