Comforting Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Pudding

Today, we're taking a journey back in time to when I was living and working in Sydney, Australia. Back in 2014, before starting King Street, I was working at a cafe called Pablo & Rusty's. Our talented pastry chef, Sunny, would use leftover pastries from the day before to create these bread pudding muffins. Customers flocked to the cafe for our pastries, and it wasn't long before these muffins became a hit. Drawing from Sunny's expertise and my own love for comforting desserts, I set out to recreate that same sense of warmth and indulgence with a twist: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Pudding.

This recipe pays homage to the simplicity and versatility of bread pudding while adding a touch of decadence with chocolate chips and ripe banana slices. With just a few basic ingredients and a bit of creativity, you can transform an unfinished loaf of banana bread into a dessert perfect for any occasion. 

Tips for Baking:

• Opt for banana bread that is 1 to 2 days old: Using day-old banana bread allows it to absorb the custard mixture more effectively and maintain its shape.
• Experiment with different add-ins: nuts or dried fruits are both great options to try. They add texture and depth of flavor to the pudding.
• Let the pudding rest: After baking, allow the pudding to rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and ensures a more cohesive texture.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator: If you have any leftovers (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pudding can be enjoyed cold or microwaved until just warmed for a quick and satisfying dessert.

Whether enjoyed as a dessert or indulgent breakfast, this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Pudding will satisfy your sweet tooth. Using our Banana Loaf & Muffin Mix is a delightful way to elevate your traditional banana bread and treat yourself to a blend of flavors and textures in every spoonful. 

Make sure to order your Banana Loaf & Muffin Mix today or pick it up at a retailer near you so you can get right to it. Happy baking!

Ingredients:

• 1 box of Banana Loaf & Muffin Mix*
• Required add-ins as per the mix instructions
• 2 cups milk (of choice)
• 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup Semisweet or dark chocolate chips
• 1 banana (sliced)

*We recommend baking the banana bread a day before. 

Instructions:

1. Bake Loaf of Banana Bread according to the instructions on the box. *As noted, we recommend baking the banana bread a day before for best results.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
3. Slice the loaf into 1 inch pieces and arrange in a pan of your choice. Spray pan with baking spray before putting loaf pieces in. Add in chocolate chips and sliced banana, reserving a little bit of each for the top.
4. In a saucepan over low heat warm the milk, butter, vanilla, sugar, and salt just until the butter is melted. Let the mixture cool completely. 
5. In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs. Add to the milk mixture from step 4 and whisk to combine. Pour mixture into the prepared pan from step 3 with banana bread pieces. Then, add the rest of the chocolate chips and banana slices on top.
6. Let sit for 10 min before baking so custard can soak into the bread pieces.
7. Bake for 30-45 minutes until custard is set when you shake the pan. Custard should still be light, not dark brown. 
8. Top with confectioner’s sugar and enjoy immediately!