Banana Bread Pudding

This delightful Banana Bread Pudding combines the comforting flavors of ripe bananas with rich custard and bread, creating a warm, indulgent dessert. Enhanced with a touch of vanilla and cinnamon, it offers a perfect balance of sweetness without overwhelming the palate. This recipe is a great way to use up overripe bananas while delivering a classic dessert experience.

Ingredients:

• 6 ripe bananas, mashed
• 4 cups of day-old bread, cubed
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups of whole milk
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• Optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add the cubed bread to the banana mixture and gently fold until all the bread is well-coated.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.