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A simple bread pudding made with Greek yogurt and egg custard soaked bread sweetened with brown sugar and naturally sweet bananas.
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!!
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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!
Banana Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 10 slices eureka!® Organic Bread cut into cubes (approximately 10 cups)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk any*
- 3 very ripe bananas 2 mashed and 1 sliced
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Leah @ Grain Changer says
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!
Lynn says
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!!
Mary Carmen (@mami2jcn) says
I’ve actually never made bread pudding. I can tell you my favorite sandwich is turkey and avocado!
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Lynn says
Haha, hey, bread is still involved… I’ll take it!
Julie Wood says
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
Lynn says
Love a classic!
Elena says
I like coconut pineapple bread pudding
Lynn says
Oh yum! Piña colada-esque! I dig it!
Natalie says
I love apple bread pudding with loads of cinnamon!
Lynn says
That’s speaking my love language, Natalie! I love cinnamon!
Shannon says
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!
Lynn says
That sounds SO GOOD. Now I just want to make all kinds of bread pudding, haha.
Will G says
Honestly I don’t have one. I’ve only ever had bread pudding a few times.
Sarah Stigelman says
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 ????
Lynn says
Oh bummerrrrr! I hope you find some time to make this one, Sarah!
Ashley B. says
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!!
Lynn says
Do it up, girlfriend!
Amy says
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!
Lynn says
Thanks, Amy! I think you need to whip up a GF version for yourself to try it out!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
This looks sensational Lynn! Who doesn’t LOVE pudding! Especially bread pudding with bananas – love!
Lynn says
So much to love!
Jessica To says
I have never made bread pudding but I do like to make banana bread.
Britain says
How about some Peaches and Cream bread pudding, just in time for summer!
Lynn says
Ohhh yeah. I’m down with that one, Brit!
Chris says
I’m all about the sweet & savory. Salted caramel anything gets me every time!
Lynn says
I can’t disagree with you there, broski.
Hannah says
I don’t recall having too many bread pudding recipes (besides this one), but apple cinnamon bread pudding sounds amazing!
Lynn says
Yessss, yes it does!!
Kelly D says
My favorite bread pudding recipe has bread cubes and raisins.
Jessie C. says
I love raisin bread pudding with cinnamon.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Steve Weber says
my favorite bread pudding recipe has big chunks of raisins and cinnamon in it
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
mita says
I make banana bread but I would try this bread pudding.
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
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 😉
Marina says
My favorite bread pudding recipe is a bourbon bread pudding…omg AMAZING. This looks so good though!!!
Lynn says
Marina, that sounds delightful.
Courtney says
Cinnamon roll bread pudding <3 but this looks like it might be my new fav
Lynn says
Ohhh, that sounds so good! Made with actual cinnamon rolls?! That sounds like a dream.
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
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
Lynn says
Loveeeeee this.
heather says
My favorite bread pudding recipe is my mother’s homemade one with her secret ingredients.
Lynn says
Secret ingredients?! I love that!
Jeffrey says
I like my bread pudding like a twist on apple pie. I go with diced apples, pecans, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup.
shelly peterson says
I have never had bread pudding before but your recipe looks really good.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
jeepingeos says
My Grandmother made bread pudding with cinnamon and raisins. It had a melted sugar like topping. I haven’t had it in years.
Madeline says
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.
Elizabeth Pergande says
I love cinnamon raisin bread pudding. thanks for the chance truckredford(at)Gmail(dot)com
Susan Smith says
My recipe for bread pudding is made with bread, butter, cream, eggs, cinnamon and raisins.
Rachel says
I like traditional bread pudding with plenty of raisins. Yum!
Anastasia Falling says
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 🙂
Lisa Brown says
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
Betsy Barnes says
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! 🙂
natasha says
I don’t have a favorite(not a big fan of bread pudding) but this recipe does look good.
Linda says
Eggnog bread pudding, my fave!
Lynn says
Oooooh, great idea!!
JenniferAnne Keefer says
My favorite is Pecan Pie Bread Pudding
JenniferAnne74 @ aol.com
Erika W. says
I have never had bread pudding but this recipe sounds delicious!
Gina M (Wild Orchid) says
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
Lynn says
Vanilla bean makes everything better!
Kim Henrichs says
I like a good oat bread cinnamon bread pudding with a hot caramel sauce!
Tina M says
banana bread pudding recipe from my sister in law.
Kristen says
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/
Allison Swain says
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
Margaret Smith says
When I make bread pudding, I use vanilla, milk, eggs and cinnamon. Love the banana idea. Thanks so much.
jalapenomamamn says
I have only had plain bread pudding so I’ll go with that.
Love the idea of banana bread pudding!
thank you
linda says
i love banana bread pudding
Donna says
i love banana pecan bread pudding
Kerry says
I’ve never had bread pudding – but this looks yummy!
Amber Hudler says
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!
Juliana says
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
madcharity says
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
Denise L says
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.
marie says
i’ve only ever tried regular banana bread and love it
Elle says
I’ve actually never made bread pudding but I’ve had it before and I loved it with walnuts and cranberries.
michael says
i love zucchini banana bread
Angel Jacklyn says
Mine is Caramel bread pudding! Yum!
Cindy A. says
I grew up eating old fashioned bread pudding so that will always be my favorite. Thank you for the giveaway!
susitravl says
I never cared much for bread pudding till I tried Blueberry Bread Pudding and now I love making all kinds of fruity bread puddings.
Bert Ruiz says
I like cinnamon & raisin bread pudding #SweepstakesEntry
Thomas Murphy says
I like Banana Bread Pudding
Tina W says
A friend used to make what she called Mexican Bread Pudding, it was extra custardy like flan. So delicious!
Whitney Bellows says
I’ve never had bread pudding, but I bet one with some walnuts in it would be amazing
Betty Curran says
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.
latanya t says
my mother in law makes it for the family, i’m not sure of her recipe.
Ellie Wright says
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.
Shawn Gallagher says
Bourbon bread pudding
Faith J. says
I like the Nutella bread pudding!!!
Debbie B says
I don’t believe I have ever had bread pudding – I might like it with bananas and walnuts
angie says
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! 😀
Kathleen says
My favorite bread pudding involves lots of rum 🙂
Jerry Marquardt says
My favorite bread pudding recipe is to mix with a rice to make an awesome rice and bread pudding.
Tabathia B says
I have never had or tried bread pudding
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com