Banana Bourbon Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

Banana bourbon chocolate chip bread pudding with bourbon sauce is an easy, delicious dessert that makes any occasion more special! (gluten-free option)

Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts, though I rarely make it. It’s like a more decadent version of French toast (one of my favorite breakfasts!) but better. It’s always a welcomed treat in my house, and absolutely irresistible with a warm bourbon sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

When Mr. Table and I were dating in college, we would frequent the club restaurant where we lived for special occasions, and they always had the best bread pudding in different flavors. One of our favorites was the banana chocolate chip bread pudding. Which is really quite genius if you think about it. It’s like banana bread with chocolate chips, but also with French toast, and there’s also ice cream on top. I mean, who wouldn’t want that?

This banana bourbon chocolate chip bread pudding is my version of the club’s fancy dessert that we loved so much.  It’s moist and flavorful, with a substantial yet ooey- gooey texture the way you would want a chocolate chip bread pudding to be. It’s got hints of banana and bourbon, and finished off with an easy, buttery bourbon sauce. It’s a hit with Mr. Table, so it must be good, right?

One of the reasons I love this banana bourbon chocolate chip bread pudding is that it’s a great way to use up some of those ingredients that need to get eaten before they go bad. Bananas that are about to turn? Yep. Bread that’s getting a little dry and crusty? Perfect. Throw ’em in a bread pudding.

We hardly ever finish a loaf of bread around here, so if it doesn’t go in the freezer, it makes a great candidate for bread pudding. Crusty, dry bread is actually a little better for bread pudding than freshly baked bread. And any kind will work, from a baguette to whole wheat sandwich bread. This recipe is perfect for reducing food waste, and you just happen to get a tasty dessert out of it! You go Glen Coco.

Make this recipe for a romantic dinner at home with your significant other or for a group of friends for your next gathering. It’s sure to be a hit, and a fun change from your standard dessert. Enjoy!

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

Banana bourbon chocolate chip bread pudding with bourbon sauce is an easy, delicious dessert that makes any occasion more special! (gluten-free option)

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 10-12 servings
• Category: dessert

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups milk of choice
• 1 tbsp bourbon (optional)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups bread cubes (French, whole wheat, or regular sandwich bread)*
• 2 ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

For the sauce:

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp bourbon
• 2 tbsp half and half or cream

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, bourbon, honey and vanilla until well combined. Stir in bread cubes and banana slices. Let rest for 20 minutes.
2. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray a Dutch oven or 8″ baking dish with oil.
3. Stir chocolate chips into bread mixture. Pour into prepared dish and bake 40 minutes.
4. To make the sauce, bring butter, honey and bourbon to a boil. Lower heat and slowly stir in half and half. Let return to a simmer to thicken, then remove from heat.
5. Serve bread pudding with bourbon sauce and vanilla ice cream (optional but highly recommended).

Notes

*Use your favorite gluten-free bread for gf option.

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