Description
Sweet banana bread pudding elevates comfort desserts with rich caramel notes and creamy texture. Slow cooker magic turns simple ingredients into a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups bread, cubed (French bread or brioche)
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Serving Options:
- Ice cream or whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking vessel by thoroughly coating the interior with a light layer of non-stick spray or butter to prevent adhering and facilitate smooth serving.
- Thoroughly mash ripe bananas in a spacious mixing bowl until completely smooth and uniform in texture.
- Incorporate eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into the mashed bananas. Whisk vigorously until the mixture achieves a consistent, creamy consistency.
- Gently introduce cubed bread into the banana mixture, carefully folding to ensure each bread piece becomes saturated without destroying its structural integrity.
- If utilizing walnuts or pecans, tenderly integrate them throughout the mixture, distributing evenly to enhance textural complexity and nutty flavor profile.
- Transfer the entire concoction into the prepared slow cooker, using a spatula to create an even surface that guarantees uniform cooking.
- Secure the lid and set the slow cooker to low temperature, allowing the pudding to simmer for 3-4 hours. Confirm doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.
- After cooking, deactivate the slow cooker and permit the pudding to rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling further setting and enhanced structural stability.
- Plate the warm dessert, optionally crowning with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or sliced fresh bananas for an elevated presentation.
Notes
- Swap bread types easily by using stale challah, brioche, or gluten-free bread for different textures and dietary needs.
- Reduce sugar by using ripe bananas’ natural sweetness and replacing brown sugar with monk fruit or stevia for a lower-calorie version.
- Prevent soggy pudding by using day-old bread that’s slightly dried out, which helps absorb the custard mixture without becoming mushy.
- Enhance flavor profiles by experimenting with spices like cardamom or adding a splash of rum for a more complex dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg