🍌 Bananas Foster Bread Pudding: A Warm Hug in a Bowl 🍞🔥
Hey there, fellow foodies! Today, we’re diving into one of my absolute favorite comfort desserts—Bananas Foster Bread Pudding. It’s warm, gooey, boozy (if you want it to be), and tastes like the best parts of brunch and dessert collided in one glorious casserole dish. If you’re someone who loves French toast, bananas, caramel, or, heck, joy in general, you’re in for a treat.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy weekend brunch or looking for a way to jazz up that day-old bread sitting on your counter, this recipe is your golden ticket. Let’s roll up our sleeves and bake something truly unforgettable.
🥄 Why You’ll Love Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
Let’s start with a little love letter to what makes this dessert so irresistible:
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Warm caramelized bananas: Sweet, buttery, and just the right amount of decadent.
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Custardy bread pudding: Think rich, soft, and indulgent—but not mushy.
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Optional boozy flair: A splash of rum adds just the right amount of grown-up flavor.
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Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for prepping the night before and baking fresh in the morning.
Honestly, this dish feels like something you’d find in a fancy New Orleans brunch spot—except you made it in your sweatpants. Win-win.
🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to pull off this cozy masterpiece:
For the Bread Pudding:
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1 loaf of day-old challah or brioche, cubed (about 6 cups)
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4 large eggs
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1 ½ cups whole milk
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1 cup heavy cream
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½ cup granulated sugar
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¼ cup brown sugar
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ tsp salt
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2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the Bananas Foster Sauce:
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4 tbsp unsalted butter
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½ cup brown sugar
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1 tsp cinnamon
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3 ripe bananas, sliced into thick rounds
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¼ cup dark rum (or banana liqueur or skip if alcohol-free)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Optional: Chopped pecans or walnuts for texture
For Serving:
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Whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of heavy cream
🍌 What Is Bananas Foster, Anyway?
A little history, because food always tastes better with a story.
Bananas Foster is a classic New Orleans dessert that dates back to the 1950s, when the Brennan’s restaurant needed a new way to use up bananas. The dish was named after Richard Foster, a civic and business leader in the city. Traditionally, bananas are sautéed in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then flambéed with rum and served over vanilla ice cream.
Now imagine soaking that glorious mixture into custardy bread pudding? That’s what we’re about to do. Let’s get to it.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Bread
If your bread is super fresh, cube it and leave it out on the counter for a few hours to dry. You want it slightly stale so it can soak up the custard without turning to mush. Brioche and challah are both rich and absorbent—perfect for bread pudding.
2. Make the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Add the melted butter while whisking to avoid scrambling the eggs.
Toss the bread cubes into the bowl and gently stir to coat every piece. Let the mixture sit for at least 15–20 minutes so the bread really soaks in all that luscious custard.
3. Make the Bananas Foster Sauce
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon, then add the banana slices. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and golden.
Carefully add the rum (remove the pan from the flame if you’re cooking on gas—safety first!). Let it cook for another minute until slightly thickened. Stir in the vanilla.
Pour half of the bananas and sauce into the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish.
4. Assemble the Pudding
Layer the soaked bread mixture on top of the bananas in the dish. Then drizzle the rest of the banana mixture over the top. You can swirl it in slightly or let it pool in beautiful golden pockets of flavor.
If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle chopped nuts over the top for some crunch.
5. Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center. A toothpick should come out mostly clean, with just a bit of custard clinging.
Let it cool slightly—this helps the pudding firm up and makes serving easier.
🍨 How to Serve It
Oh, you’ve got options.
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Scoop it hot from the pan and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that classic Bananas Foster combo.
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Serve warm with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
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Drizzle with caramel sauce or extra rum sauce if you saved any (pro tip: make a double batch of the banana topping).
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For brunch? Pair it with hot coffee and bacon. Yes, really.
🛠️ Make-Ahead Tips
Bread pudding is practically made for prepping ahead of time.
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Overnight option: Assemble the bread pudding, cover it with foil, and store it in the fridge overnight. Let it come to room temp while your oven preheats, then bake as directed.
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Freeze it: You can freeze the baked pudding in individual portions and reheat in the microwave or oven. It actually holds up well!
🌟 Variations to Try
Bananas Foster Bread Pudding is pretty perfect as-is, but if you’re in a mood to experiment, here are a few tasty twists:
1. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Pudding
Add a handful of chocolate chips to the custard-soaked bread before baking. They melt into little pockets of gooey goodness.
2. Peanut Butter & Banana
Swirl a few tablespoons of peanut butter into the custard or the banana sauce for that Elvis-approved combo.
3. Coconut Rum & Toasted Coconut
Swap the dark rum for coconut rum, then sprinkle toasted shredded coconut on top before baking.
4. Booze-Free Banana Bliss
Skip the rum entirely—use banana extract or extra vanilla for that rich, warm flavor without the alcohol.
5. Nutty Banana Caramel
Add chopped pecans or walnuts into the bread mix and top with caramel sauce before serving.
👩🍳 Tips From My Kitchen
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Use rich bread. Brioche or challah gives you that perfect balance of softness and structure.
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Don’t overbake. You want the center to be soft and moist, not dry or rubbery.
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Layer those bananas. Putting some under the bread and some on top gives you sweet caramel in every bite.
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Let it rest. Giving your bread pudding 10–15 minutes to cool after baking helps everything set beautifully.
📝 Final Thoughts: Dessert or Brunch MVP?
Let’s be real: This dessert checks all the boxes.
Crave-worthy? ✅
Easy to make? ✅
Fancy enough for a party, but chill enough for pajama brunch? ✅✅✅
Bananas Foster Bread Pudding is one of those magical recipes that looks impressive, tastes divine, and doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. You’ll impress your family, thrill your brunch guests, or just make yourself super happy on a random Tuesday night.
So go ahead—make it. Bake it. Share it (or don’t—we won’t judge). And when someone asks for the recipe? Just smile and say, “It’s a New Orleans thing.”
