If you’re a regular reader around here, you might recall that in 2015, I failed miserably at a Bananas Foster bread pudding recipe. It was going so perfectly, but I just had too much moisture going on and it was a big huge soppy mess. The top layer was so good, but under that? Awful. Bananas Foster soup. Not as delicious as you would hope from the sounds of it. I vowed to try again, but where I think I went completely wrong was too many components (there was a brown sugar rum sauce ????) and flavors going together without ever actually trying to make a simple bread pudding first. Baby steps, right?
So that’s where we are today: starting small and simple and just sticking to bananas. Let’s master the method first and then get fancy with the ingredients.
Bread pudding: another one of those things that sounds weird but is really quite tasty. Obviously, bread is a major component; but that bread is held together with a sweet creamy custard. It’s baked to perfection into a sturdy-yet-very-moist, you-can-still-cut-into-it type of dessert. And the best part? My banana bread pudding isn’t super sweet, so you can totally eat it for breakfast and not feel like you’re making a meal choice that will ruin your day. You’ll sweeten naturally with some mashed ripe bananas and my favorite way to bring rich sweetness to baked goods: a bit of brown sugar.
You’re also going to use Greek yogurt (along with milk and eggs) for the custard in this bread pudding. Whenever I can get some extra protein into my life, I choose it. More great choices!
When it comes to bread pudding, many people like to whip it up as a way to utilize stale bread. While you’re more than welcome to use stale bread (see notes in the recipe for adjustments), I actually used fresh bread for this bread pudding, and it still turned out fantastically. My bread of choice was eureka!® Organic Bread, because it is absolutely jam-packed with flavor and wholesome goodness. As a texture lover, I prefer bread with “things in it,” much like I prefer crunchy peanut butter to creamy, chunky brownies over basic ones, and homemade granola with chewy bits of tropical paradise. With eureka!® Organic Bread, I got the best of both worlds: choosing a wholesome ingredient without compromising taste or wow-factor.
Look at all that texture on the crust and in the bread itself!!
↓↓↓
You’ll need 10 slices of bread. Feel free to spread the rest of the loaf with peanut butter, jam, jelly, lemon curd, butter, anything and everything to get it in your belly. That bread is a texture lover’s dream!
Once your bread is soaked in custard and baked to perfection, you now have the choice of eating it warm or cold. Personally, we prefer it cold, but in a bowl, warmed up with a little extra splash of milk sounds like a perfect nightcap, especially on a cool summer night. Or with ice cream! Or more sliced bananas!
This banana bread pudding is just the perfect mix between something like monkey bread and an actual pudding. Moist and flavorful bites of banana custard sweetened bread, scattered with crunchy toasted pecans and spiced with cinnamon. And those bites with toasted bread pieces on top? Those ones are my favorite!
I think we’ve perfected a basic bread pudding. Take that, 2015!
- 10 slices eureka!® Organic Bread, cut into cubes (approximately 10 cups)
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk (any)*
- 3 very ripe bananas, 2 mashed and 1 sliced
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 and ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- powdered sugar for dusting
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 7x11 (or similar size) casserole dish lightly with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss together the bread cubes and chopped pecans (reserve a couple Tablespoons or so for sprinkling on top, if desired). Set aside.
- In a medium size bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, milk, the 2 mashed bananas, brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until completely combined. Pour mixture over bread cubes and stir gently until all of the bread is covered.
- Pour coated bread into prepared dish and top with reserved chopped pecans (if you saved them) and banana slices. Bake for 33-35 minutes until top and edges just start to brown or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool at least 15 minutes before serving, or cool completely and chill in the refrigerator to serve cold. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered tightly, up to 5 days. To serve warm leftovers, reheat individual servings in the microwave.
For more information on eureka!® Organic Bread, visit them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
What’s your favorite bread pudding recipe? Share it with me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!
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This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
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I am a SUCKER for bread pudding in just about any flavor/form (Leah? Addicted to sweet/carby things? But you never would have guessed 😉 ), and I am loving this protein packed and banana-sweetened spin. Mmmm, Mm! 2015 can totally keep it’s banana foster BP “fail” because this is such a WIN!
Hahaha, SERIOUSLY! Although that probably WON’T stop me from trying it out now that I’ve mastered the basics! Watch out, summer. Breastfeeding mama means give me all the bread!!
I’ve actually never made bread pudding. I can tell you my favorite sandwich is turkey and avocado!
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Haha, hey, bread is still involved… I’ll take it!
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/739886310723309568
My Mom made me bread pudding all the time when I was growing up. And my favorite is Classic Bread Pudding with butter, cream, eggs, cinnamon and raisins. So good
Love a classic!
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/739890071331995650
I like coconut pineapple bread pudding
Oh yum! Piña colada-esque! I dig it!
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/739892530976690176
I love apple bread pudding with loads of cinnamon!
That’s speaking my love language, Natalie! I love cinnamon!
First off, I am so pumped to try this out this summer!
I’m going to have to go with my favorite dessert + bread pudding- PECAN PIE BREAD PUDDING! My mouth is watering already!
That sounds SO GOOD. Now I just want to make all kinds of bread pudding, haha.
tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/739910598289412097
Honestly I don’t have one. I’ve only ever had bread pudding a few times.
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/739920256018305024
A restaurant out here made the best pear bread pudding… Until they changed their menu… ???? I will totally be making this…sometime between newborn things ????
Oh bummerrrrr! I hope you find some time to make this one, Sarah!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/AshleyBrabson/status/739936879685083136
I don’t have a recipe for Bread Pudding. I’ve never tried to make it before and am super grateful that you shared one for me to try!!
Do it up, girlfriend!
My Dad LOVES bread pudding! I remember him making it for our family a few times when I was a kid, but I never got into it. I think times have changed because this banana bread pudding sounds like the perfect indulgent weekend brunch, or dessert, next time my parents are coming over! I know Dad will be a huge fan! Good job Lynn on perfecting this awesome recipe!
Thanks, Amy! I think you need to whip up a GF version for yourself to try it out!
This looks sensational Lynn! Who doesn’t LOVE pudding! Especially bread pudding with bananas – love!
So much to love!
I have never made bread pudding but I do like to make banana bread.
How about some Peaches and Cream bread pudding, just in time for summer!
Ohhh yeah. I’m down with that one, Brit!
I’m all about the sweet & savory. Salted caramel anything gets me every time!
I can’t disagree with you there, broski.
I don’t recall having too many bread pudding recipes (besides this one), but apple cinnamon bread pudding sounds amazing!
Yessss, yes it does!!
My favorite bread pudding recipe has bread cubes and raisins.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/739992834128924672
I love raisin bread pudding with cinnamon.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/740001352705708037
my favorite bread pudding recipe has big chunks of raisins and cinnamon in it
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
I make banana bread but I would try this bread pudding.
Tweet- https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/740171648972824576
I hate recipe fails!! So glad you had success this time around though! I really should make more puddings – especially of the banana bread pudding variety 😉
I grew up on Betty Crocker recipes, and you can’t go wrong there! 🙂
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/old-fashioned-bread-pudding/790f3338-59c6-4312-a3c1-3e4d0cf6b101
Tweet: https://twitter.com/JuliaDentinator/status/740922810273529856
Sometimes, Betty just does know best!!
My favorite bread pudding recipe is a bourbon bread pudding…omg AMAZING. This looks so good though!!!
Marina, that sounds delightful.
Cinnamon roll bread pudding <3 but this looks like it might be my new fav
Ohhh, that sounds so good! Made with actual cinnamon rolls?! That sounds like a dream.
I’m just going to drop a link to my favorite bread pudding and then tiptoe quietly out of the room, because if someone mentioned bourbon in my presence while I was 38 weeks pregnant, I would have told them exactly where to shove that bottle…
http://www.bunsenburnerbakery.com/2016/01/chocolate-bourbon-soft-pretzel-bread.html
Loveeeeee this.
My favorite bread pudding recipe is my mother’s homemade one with her secret ingredients.
Secret ingredients?! I love that!
I like my bread pudding like a twist on apple pie. I go with diced apples, pecans, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup.
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/741744268428095488.
I have never had bread pudding before but your recipe looks really good.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
tweeted https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/741797516266463233
cshell090869 at aol dot com
My Grandmother made bread pudding with cinnamon and raisins. It had a melted sugar like topping. I haven’t had it in years.
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/741812275649077249
Yours might be my new favorite because I adore bananas, but I’ve always liked a recipe called Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce. It has pecans mixed in a sauce of butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar that is poured on top of the pudding.
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/742027735250264064
I love cinnamon raisin bread pudding. thanks for the chance truckredford(at)Gmail(dot)com
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/742079105600880640
My recipe for bread pudding is made with bread, butter, cream, eggs, cinnamon and raisins.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/742467078125326338
I like traditional bread pudding with plenty of raisins. Yum!
https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/743140166265675776
I am sad to have to admit this, but I’ve never had bread pudding!! This looks AMAZING tho’, so I’m going to say that your recipe is my favorite! I have got to try this 🙂
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/743325854554431488
I have never made bread pudding, so no favorite kind. I would use the bread to make croutons for salads.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
tweet=https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/743422115848687616
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
My Grandmother made a basic bread pudding that was really good. I think it had bread, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, raisins and a few other ingredients. I never made though, but thinking now I should! 🙂
My tweet – https://twitter.com/bbdream34/status/743469172198350848 🙂
https://twitter.com/Natashalamoreu1/status/743569473395900416
I don’t have a favorite(not a big fan of bread pudding) but this recipe does look good.
Eggnog bread pudding, my fave!
Oooooh, great idea!!
Tweet https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/743607000970366976
My favorite is Pecan Pie Bread Pudding
JenniferAnne74 @ aol.com
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/Jennai/status/743614232457969664
JenniferAnne74 @ aol.com
I have never had bread pudding but this recipe sounds delicious!
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/seabattle2/status/743863352955330561
I don’t have a recipe, but I love bread pudding that has a delicious vanilla bean flavor!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Vanilla bean makes everything better!
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/743898048292610048
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I like a good oat bread cinnamon bread pudding with a hot caramel sauce!
banana bread pudding recipe from my sister in law.
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/744364747693359104
I’ve never made bread pudding, but I’ve been wanting to try this recipe for Meyer Lemon Bread Pudding: http://bijouxs.com/blog/2012/04/15/meyer-lemon-bread-pudding/
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/744625137060708352
I have never had bread pudding before! This would be something i would love though because of the bananas!
Thanks for the chance to win
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/allisonrswain/status/744672619979546625
When I make bread pudding, I use vanilla, milk, eggs and cinnamon. Love the banana idea. Thanks so much.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/744684548647231489
Thanks again.
I have only had plain bread pudding so I’ll go with that.
Love the idea of banana bread pudding!
thank you
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/744725164638736385
i love banana bread pudding
https://twitter.com/lindilala/status/744770453655420928
i love banana pecan bread pudding
I’ve never had bread pudding – but this looks yummy!
I love some gooey brown sugary, melt in your mouth bread pudding. My husband had never tried it before and I made some actually not too long ago, and he loved it. Im not too keen on bananas, but my husband loves them, he would probably LOVE this!
After spending a lot of time in Scotland, I’m a sucker for Sticky Toffee Pudding, and this recipe for a bread pudding version is TO DIE FOR.
http://norecipes.com/recipe/sticky-toffee-bread-pudding
I don’t think I’ve ever had bread pudding. But I’ve made baked French toast which I think is kind of the same thing and totally amazing. teawench at gmail dot com
I have never actually made bread pudding, which is surprising because I like to bake. However, there’s a restaurant we go to that has a sticky toffee bread pudding that is pretty darn delicious.
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/745729923029970944
i’ve only ever tried regular banana bread and love it
https://twitter.com/mijulinmarie/status/745758451674976258
I’ve actually never made bread pudding but I’ve had it before and I loved it with walnuts and cranberries.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/746029751584718849
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/746164678938759168
i love zucchini banana bread
Tweet entry https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/746235764128653312
Mine is Caramel bread pudding! Yum!
I grew up eating old fashioned bread pudding so that will always be my favorite. Thank you for the giveaway!
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/normawatson/status/746675504116273152
I never cared much for bread pudding till I tried Blueberry Bread Pudding and now I love making all kinds of fruity bread puddings.
I like cinnamon & raisin bread pudding #SweepstakesEntry
#sweepstakesEntry tweet https://twitter.com/iamdadtastic/status/746887032757194752
I like Banana Bread Pudding
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/746947587140390912
A friend used to make what she called Mexican Bread Pudding, it was extra custardy like flan. So delicious!
tweeted: https://twitter.com/tinawoo21/status/746975865997688832
I’ve never had bread pudding, but I bet one with some walnuts in it would be amazing
I sent out a tweet https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/747062893737193472
I’ve only made the classic bread pudding with cinnamon and raisins but this looks really good and I love bananas in just about anything.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/747085120742400000
my mother in law makes it for the family, i’m not sure of her recipe.
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/747217333484040192
My mother-in-law makes a great bread pudding with pecans and a brandy-orange sauce. I’ve never made it, but I’ve eaten plenty of it.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/747232882251300864
Tweeted-https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/747237045064478720?lang=en
I don’t have a favorite bread pudding because I have never tasted it in my life.
i am not a fan of bread pudding
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/747225320659554304
https://mobile.twitter.com/Esham4life/status/747288123344728064
Bourbon bread pudding
Tweet entry https://mobile.twitter.com/faithjacklynswe/status/747313733483921408
I like the Nutella bread pudding!!!
I don’t believe I have ever had bread pudding – I might like it with bananas and walnuts
I have never had bread pudding! GASP! Crazy right? So…I don’t have a fav recipe. But I would love to try yours because I love banana anything! Hope my entry can still count. Just being honest! 😀
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/747453720917573632
My favorite bread pudding involves lots of rum 🙂
My favorite bread pudding recipe is to mix with a rice to make an awesome rice and bread pudding.
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/747547817867018240
I have never had or tried bread pudding
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/747572642065059840
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com