All of the Above

The first time I made a bread pudding, I thought to myself, How am I supposed to eat this? Warm? Cold? Plain? Topped with cream? Ice cream? I asked my friends. I asked my family. And of course, I tasted it myself all those ways. For research purposes, of course.

I learned that the answer is: all of the above.

Bread pudding is the frugal cook’s best friend, and can be found in cuisines all over the world, from England to Hong Kong. It makes use of stale bread, transforming it from pigeon food material to something custard-y and delightful. When I looked into my cupboards and fridge and noticed that I had about a third of a loaf of cinnamon twist, a cup of condensed milk, and some overripe bananas on hand, I knew exactly what to do.

Go ahead…dip your spoon into the warm custard, lifting out layers of sugary sweet banana and fluffy, cream soaked cinnamon bread….leftovers never tasted so good.

And for the record, this is how I prefer to eat a Banana Cinnamon Bread Pudding:

Banana Cinnamon Bread Pudding

Makes 5 6-ounce ramekins.

Adapted from Banana Bread Pudding, The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook.

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup condensed milk
3 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 medium very ripe bananas, sliced
2 1/4 cups cinnamon bread (ideally challah style), diced
1/4 cup brown sugar
caramel sauce for serving
ice cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 325° F. Bring a kettle of water to a boil.

In a bowl, whisk together the condensed milk, eggs, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Set aside

Butter the bottoms of each ramekin with butter. Divide the butter, placing a small pat in each ramekin. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of sugar into each ramekin. Arrange the bananas over the sugar, followed by bread. Soak with some of the custard mixture. Repeat with another layer of banana, bread and custard. Press the bread into the custard to ensure it gets a good soaking. Sprinkle with any remaining sugar.

Cover ramekins with a foil, place in a baking dish in the oven. Pour boiling water into baking dish, filling halfway. Bake for 30 minutes, uncover, then bake for another 30 minutes.

Serve the bread pudding warm with drizzle of caramel sauce, and if you’re feeling especially indulgent, a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

by Liren on February 22, 2011

58 Comments

« Previous Post

jenjenk — February 22, 2011 @ 1:32 pm (#
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It’s so funny – i was doing some spring cleaning and found a pile of various bread pudding recipes! I’ve always been hesitant to try it [mostly because I wasn't sure it was something I'd like] but this just looks fantastic!
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:36 pm
  
  Hi Jen! What a funny coincidence – it must be fate! Definitely give bread pudding a whirl, I think you will like it!
Lindsey — February 22, 2011 @ 1:51 pm (#
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I read this just as I’m about to wind down and head to bed but that late night craving has kicked in….. looks amazing!
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:37 pm
  
  Hi Lindsey! Sorry for the late night craving, but hope your had sweet dreams of bread pudding!
BigFatBaker — February 22, 2011 @ 4:47 pm (#
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yum!! I have over half a loaf of french bread that needs to be used up. Banana bread pudding sounds like a fabulous idea :) Thanks for the inspiration!
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:37 pm
  
  Perfect! Sounds like you have everything ready!
The Wife of a Dairyman — February 22, 2011 @ 4:49 pm (#
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Umm, yes, I’ll take bread pudding ANY way:) And now I’m craving it!
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:37 pm
  
  I agree, any which way :) I like it warm at night, cold for breakfast :)
Becky — February 22, 2011 @ 4:57 pm (#
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My husband loves bread pudding , but I’ve never made bread pudding with bananas. I’ll have to try this soon. Those are just the ingredients in everyone’s pantry.
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:38 pm
  
  Hi Becky – he will love this! Putting the bananas in there reminded me of one big French toast in a ramekin!
Brian @ A Thought For Food — February 22, 2011 @ 5:30 pm (#
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This meets all of my qualifications for a tasty dessert. No need for chocolate… just some bread pudding with a heaping scoop of ice cream on top. And I’m a happy man! This looks absolutely fantastic!
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:39 pm
  
  So true, no need for chocolate. BUT, I do have a weakness for chocolate in a bread pudding. It took a lot of resistance on my part to not add any this time.
Jennifer @ Jane Deere — February 22, 2011 @ 6:31 pm (#
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This looks so good! Your pictures are beautiful too!
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:39 pm
  
  Thank you, Jennifer!
Roxan — February 22, 2011 @ 6:56 pm (#
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I love bread pudding! It’s so rich and luxurious. I’m glad to find another bread lover – a lot of my friends don’t like it. This looks amazing, and even more heavenly with the huge scoop of ice cream on top.
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:40 pm
  
  True, I know there are definitely people who don’t think bread pudding is their thing. I’ve gotta say, this bread pudding turned my own kids into believers :)
Kate @ Diethood.com — February 22, 2011 @ 8:37 pm (#
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Oh my gosh, this looks so sinfully delicious. I get so happy when I see that my bananas have gone “bad”… I can’t explain how excited I get and it’s only because I get to make banana bread!
Now I’m itching to make your version…. I love it!
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:41 pm
  
  Yes, usually I wish for my bananas to go stale so I can start baking. And when I get my cinnamon bread, I secretly hope there are stale leftovers so I can make this, too :)
Kita — February 22, 2011 @ 8:38 pm (#
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I have some leftover bread and I have been wanting to make bread pudding – but never having it before, I have wondered the same things! Thank you for sharing that I can have it any way – it really takes some of the pressure off (lol, because my cat judges so harshly!)
I love the use of banana. That seems like it would be a great flavor to compliment the dish.
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:42 pm
  
  Hi there, Kita! There’s only one way to find out – you’ll just have to try bread pudding in all its different forms – I’m sure you’ll find your own favorite! I think it also depends on the bread pudding, though. This particular one, I adore warm. But I also make a chocolate bread pudding that is ah-ma-zing cold.
Sara @CaffeIna — February 22, 2011 @ 8:56 pm (#
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I agree! Every way is great to eat bread pudding. I can never get tired of it. So versatile. So good to finish up leftovers. So comforting!
- Liren replied: — February 22nd, 2011 @ 9:43 pm
  
  Glad you agree, Sara! Whomever made up bread pudding was a wise woman, don’t you think?
ChefBlogDigest — February 23, 2011 @ 1:58 am (#
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I will choose “All of the Above as well” and I might love All!
Stephanie @ okie dokie artichokie — February 23, 2011 @ 5:25 am (#
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Looks amazing! I had forgotten just how much I adore bread pudding. I should probably make another batch before gorgeous Spring arrives! :-p
RavieNomNoms — February 23, 2011 @ 6:13 am (#
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I really need to try and make this, last time I had bread pudding I was in Louisiana and it was blueberry and it was fantastic. I am not sure why I haven’t tried to make it at home. I definitely should.
Paula - bell'alimento — February 23, 2011 @ 6:23 am (#
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Bread pudding is just divine! Especially with challah ; )
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen — February 23, 2011 @ 6:29 am (#
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How perfect, my mom was just looking for a bread pudding recipe the other day! She was telling me she had some leftover bread she wanted to use up. And for the record your preferred way eating bread pudding is mine as well!
norma — February 23, 2011 @ 10:11 am (#
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This sounds delish. We are very big bread pudding people. We save all our left overs and when we have enough, we make a big pan full..and use all of the above.
Pachecopatty — February 23, 2011 @ 7:14 pm (#
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Thanks for sharing this recipe, I’m loving it with the bananas! I will have to try this for a dinner party, It’s been way too long since my last bread pudding;-)
Eizel — February 23, 2011 @ 11:12 pm (#
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I too just posted a bread pudding recipe – must be bread pudding madness! Luv the pics!
Becky — February 24, 2011 @ 5:00 am (#
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Congrats on the Top 9 Today!
Chef Dennis — February 24, 2011 @ 6:01 am (#
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hi Liren

what a gread addition to bread pudding, I havent thought of adding bananas! we always have left over bananas at school, I will try it next time I make bread pudding. And of course with ice cream is the perfect way to serve it.
Congrats on your top 9!
Dennis
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet } — February 24, 2011 @ 6:52 am (#
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Congrats on the Top 9 today! SO well deserved – this looks really divine. Bread pudding is one of those comfort desserts that just make you smile. Beautiful photos!!! :-)
Threemealsaday — February 24, 2011 @ 6:54 am (#
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Ah the wonders of bread pudding and how it warms our heart. A great idea to incorporate the bananas and I have some ready to use. Nice photo. Congrats on the top 9.

Stuart
Kim- Liv Life — February 24, 2011 @ 7:43 am (#
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Now that is a serious bread pudding! And some gorgeous photos to go with it. Well done!!
Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls — February 24, 2011 @ 8:35 am (#
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Droooooling!!!!! This looks incredible!!!

Great blog; happy I found you!

Mary xx
Delightful Bitefuls
marla — February 24, 2011 @ 8:47 am (#
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This bread pudding looks gooey & wonderful!!
Glenn K. — February 24, 2011 @ 9:02 am (#
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Bread pudding is a Gulf Coast staple, and this one looks so good on a cold and rainy day like today.

Any suggestions on a good recipe for caramel sauce? Yours looks very rich. You obviously have a technique well in hand.

Thanks.

-Glenn K.
Editor & Publisher of All About Mardi Gras
Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot — February 24, 2011 @ 9:41 am (#
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Delicious! Banana Cinnamon Bread Pudding is one of my favourite things I’ve ever eaten. It’s so warm and homey it almost stops time.
Tessa — February 24, 2011 @ 9:50 am (#
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I MUST make this this weekend. I am already salivating… Thanks for the recipe!
Tammy — February 24, 2011 @ 12:09 pm (#
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You have such a stunning site!
Your bread pudding looks fantastic and sounds delish!

xx,
Tammy
Leah (So, How's It Taste?) — February 24, 2011 @ 1:40 pm (#
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This looks heavenly! I’ve never had ice cream over bread pudding and wouldn’t have thought of it. I want to make this now!
Hilary — February 24, 2011 @ 4:01 pm (#
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Wowzers! This looks YUM! Anything with sweetened condensed milk…I’m in!
Peggy — February 24, 2011 @ 4:41 pm (#
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Honestly, bread pudding has never really stuck out or appealed to me… until now. This definitely makes me crave it so badly.
Rachel — February 24, 2011 @ 6:38 pm (#
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LOVELY! The caramel sauce makes this absolutely complete. Oh, how I want some banana bread pudding now. :)
A Canadian Foodie — February 24, 2011 @ 9:26 pm (#
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Warm! With lots of iced cream or heavy cream and caramel syrup or berries. Wonderful recipe and photos.
YUM!
:)
Valerie
Cristina — February 24, 2011 @ 9:29 pm (#
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Yumee, Liren. One of the best desserts I’ve ever had was at a restaurant in Las Vegas called Botero’s (at the Wynn) and they serve this amazing banana bread pudding (been trying to get their recipe). Also, growing up it was a dessert tradition by my Aunt…she made a mean bread pudding.

Can’t wait to try this… it looks and sounds delicious.

Congrats on the Top 9 today :)
- Liren replied: — February 26th, 2011 @ 3:18 pm
  
  Thank you, Cristina! Bread pudding can be so amazing – now I want to go to Vegas just to try their banana bread pudding! I have often thought of making bread pudding with my buttermilk banana bread, but there’s never any leftovers!
Monet — February 24, 2011 @ 10:06 pm (#
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I just started eating bread pudding earlier this year, and I’m in love with it now. This recipe is going on my must-bake list! I love that you used cinnamon bread too. I bet that added some great flavor. Thank you for sharing this deliciousness tonight. I hope you have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.
Leslie — February 26, 2011 @ 12:48 pm (#
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Wow, that looks delicious! I guess I’m not the only one on a bread pudding binge this week. I’ll have to try this. Thanks!
- Liren replied: — February 26th, 2011 @ 2:57 pm
  
  Hi Leslie! I just visited your site, and oh my, your bread pudding looks fabulous! Despite having had my fill of bread pudding, I’m still craving more!
  - Leslie Uhl replied: — March 9th, 2011 @ 4:19 pm
    
    Thanks! I have to say it’s hard to say no to bread pudding, glad I have lots of people willing to share!
Melody Fury // GourmetFury.com — February 28, 2011 @ 4:40 am (#
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The creamy texture of banana is perfect for banana pudding. mmm! This look fantastic. Definitely saving the recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!
Jun Belen — February 28, 2011 @ 8:24 pm (#
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I guess while we wait for Summer’s bounty of peaches and nectarines, we would have to settle for bananas… but why settle if I can have your banana bread pudding! Lovely photographs, Liren. I love mine with vanilla ice cream and caramel as well. Gorgeous!
Amanda L. — March 4, 2011 @ 7:10 pm (#
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That looks delicious! I’ve only made bread pudding once and it’s been way too long!
Pingback: Warm Bread Pudding Recipes Made with Leftover Bread | Yummly
Dawn W — January 23, 2013 @ 7:29 pm (#
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I haven’t been fond of bread pudding, but once I saw this recipe, I just had to give it a try. My husband and I have made it three times this past month…we love it! Thank you for sharing!

I am hoping to take it to a family gathering, but I would like to bake it in one dish instead of several ramekins. Do you have any suggestions on a differentiated baking time? I am planning to use a larger baking dish (looks like a large ramekin) or a glass baking pan. If not, I could give it a try myself. :-) Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.

Again, we love this dish and will keep it in our favorites.
- liren replied: — January 30th, 2013 @ 10:07 pm
  
  Dawn, I’m so pleased that you have been enjoying the recipe, that just makes my day! It can certainly be made in one dish, just make sure you have an adequate water bath (add water if necessary), and it will probably take about an hour total baking time, but do keep an eye on it, in case it needs a little longer.
  
  Good luck!!! I hope the rest of your family enjoys it!