Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread-Bread Pudding
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread-Bread Pudding is a decadent dessert that takes rich, brown butter chocolate chip banana bread, soaks it in a velvety vanilla bean custard, and bakes it to golden perfection. Served warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and drizzled with a luscious homemade salted caramel, this indulgent treat is the ultimate comfort dessert, perfect for any occasion.
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Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Salted butter
Ripe bananas
Brown sugar
Greek yogurt (sub: sour cream)
Eggs
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Chocolate chips or chunks of choice
Milk of choice
Heavy cream
Optional: chopped walnuts, for filling
Optional: turbinado sugar, for topping
Why You’ll Love Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread-Bread Pudding:
Decadent Flavor Fusion: The brown butter chocolate chip banana bread adds a rich, nutty flavor, which pairs beautifully with the velvety vanilla bean custard, creating a flavor profile that’s both indulgent and comforting.
Perfectly Golden and Crispy: After being soaked in custard, the bread pudding is baked to golden perfection, with a crispy exterior and a soft, custardy interior—creating the ideal balance of texture.
Warm and Comforting: Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this dessert offers the ultimate comfort, especially when enjoyed on a cool day or as an after-dinner treat.
Drizzled with Homemade Salted Caramel: The finishing touch of easy homemade salted caramel adds a rich, buttery sweetness that takes this dessert to the next level, enhancing the decadent flavor and giving a hint of salty-sweet goodness.
Chocolate Chips for Added Richness: The chocolate chips in the banana bread melt beautifully as the pudding bakes, offering pockets of gooey chocolate that are irresistible with each bite.
Banana Bread Base: Using banana bread as the base of this dessert gives it an extra layer of flavor and moisture, making it a perfect combination of cake and pudding.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re serving it as a comfort dessert for the family or as an impressive treat for guests, this bread pudding is perfect for special occasions or casual gatherings alike.
Satisfies Sweet Cravings: With the richness of the brown butter, the sweetness of banana bread, and the indulgence of chocolate chips, this dessert is perfect for those with a craving for something sweet and comforting.
Easy to Make Ahead: This dessert can be prepared ahead of time and baked when you're ready, making it an excellent choice for meal prep or entertaining.
Perfectly Balanced: The salted caramel, combined with the sweetness of the bread and chocolate, creates a perfect balance of flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
Tips for Making Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread-Bread Pudding:
Tips for Making Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For a fluffy banana bread, make sure to use room temperature eggs and butter. This helps the ingredients combine more easily, creating a smooth batter.
Brown the Butter for Extra Flavor: Brown the butter to bring out its nutty richness, which will add a deeper flavor to your banana bread. Let it cool slightly before adding it to the batter to prevent it from cooking the eggs.
Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better! They’ll be naturally sweeter and easier to mash, giving your banana bread the perfect texture and moisture. Overripe bananas also have a more pronounced banana flavor.
Don't Over-Mix the Batter: Stir the ingredients until just combined. Over-mixing can result in a dense loaf. Mix the wet ingredients first, then gently fold in the dry ingredients and chocolate chips to keep the bread light and airy.
Let the Banana Bread Cool Completely: After baking your banana bread, allow it to cool completely before using it for the bread pudding. This helps the bread hold its structure and prevents it from becoming too soggy when soaked in the custard.
Tips for Making the Bread Pudding:
Cube the Banana Bread: Once your banana bread is cool, cut it into cubes. This helps the bread soak up the vanilla bean custard without falling apart too easily. If you prefer a chunkier pudding, leave the cubes a bit larger.
Soak the Bread Evenly: Pour the custard evenly over the cubed banana bread. Use a spatula or spoon to gently press the bread down to ensure that it is evenly soaked. Allow the bread to soak for at least 10-15 minutes before baking.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time: After soaking the bread in the custard, let it sit for 10-15 minutes before baking to allow the flavors to fully develop and the bread to absorb the custard. This step ensures a rich, custardy texture.
Bake Until Golden Brown: Bake the bread pudding at 350°F for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden and crispy. The center should be slightly jiggly but not liquid. You can test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done.
Serve Warm with Ice Cream: Serve the bread pudding warm right out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The warmth of the pudding combined with the coolness of the ice cream creates a perfect contrast in texture and temperature.
Finish with Salted Caramel: Drizzle easy homemade salted caramel over the top of the bread pudding just before serving for an extra indulgent touch. The salt in the caramel balances out the sweetness of the bread pudding.
Make Ahead Option: If you're preparing ahead of time, assemble the bread pudding the night before and let it chill in the fridge. The bread will absorb the custard overnight, making it even richer and more flavorful. Just bake it when you're ready to serve.
Bonus Tips:
Customize with Extra Mix-ins: If you want to add a twist, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, or even a handful of dried fruit like cranberries to the banana bread or the bread pudding mix.
Check for Overbaking: Keep an eye on the bread pudding during the last 5-10 minutes of baking. If the top gets too brown too quickly, tent the dish with foil to prevent it from burning while the center finishes cooking.
How to Store Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread-Bread Pudding:
Room Temperature (Up to 2 Days):
To keep your bread pudding fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. While it’s best enjoyed freshly baked, it will stay moist and flavorful for a couple of days when properly stored.Refrigeration (Up to 4 Days):
If you want to store the bread pudding for longer than 2 days, place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 4 days. The custard and banana bread may firm up a bit in the fridge, but it will still be delicious when reheated.Freezing (Up to 3 Months):
For long-term storage, you can freeze the bread pudding. Once cooled, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap or place in a freezer-safe container. It will last for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes.Reheating for Best Texture:
To restore the soft and gooey texture, reheat the bread pudding in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for 30-45 seconds if you’re in a hurry, but the oven will keep the texture closer to its original state.Make-Ahead Option:
You can prepare the bread pudding up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate it overnight. The bread will soak up the custard, and you can bake it the next day when you’re ready to serve. This method actually helps enhance the flavors.Serving Tip After Storing:
Once reheated, serve your bread pudding warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with salted caramel for the best flavor and texture. A fresh sprinkle of sea salt on top can also enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness.
FAQs:
Q: What makes this bread pudding different from traditional bread pudding?
A: This brown butter chocolate chip banana bread-bread pudding is made with rich, buttery banana bread instead of regular bread. The banana bread adds deep banana flavor, extra moisture, and melty chocolate chips in every bite. Then, it’s soaked in a velvety vanilla bean custard and baked until golden brown.
Q: Do I need to make the banana bread first?
A: Yes! The brown butter chocolate chip banana bread should be baked and fully cooled before making the bread pudding. This helps the bread absorb the custard properly without turning mushy.
Q: Can I use store-bought banana bread instead?
A: While homemade brown butter chocolate chip banana bread gives the best flavor and texture, you can use store-bought banana bread if needed. Choose a sturdy, moist banana bread for the best results.
Q: How long should I let the bread soak in the custard?
A: Let the cubed banana bread soak in the vanilla bean custard for at least 10-15 minutes before baking. This ensures the custard fully absorbs and gives the pudding a creamy, rich consistency.
Q: How do I know when the bread pudding is done baking?
A: The bread pudding is ready when the top is golden brown and slightly crisp, and the center is set but still slightly jiggly. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can assemble the bread pudding the night before, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking as directed.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or microwave individual portions for 30-45 seconds.
Q: Can I freeze bread pudding?
A: Yes! Once cooled, wrap the bread pudding tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat before serving.
Q: How should I serve this bread pudding?
A: For the best experience, serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the flavor even more!
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