Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Recipe by Our Best Bites

6 c. stale bread or croissant cubes
4 medium bananas, divided
4 eggs
3 egg yolks
1 1/2 c. milk
1 1/2 c. heavy cream
1 c. brown sugar, divided
1/4 tsp. kosher salt1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. rum flavoring (optional; I leave it out because I don’t like the flavor of rum, but true Bananas Foster has rum in it.)
1 tsp. cinnamon, divided
2 Tbsp. butter, divided

Preheat oven to 400.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty foil.  In a small mixing bowl, combine 3 sliced bananas (about 2 c.) with 1 Tbsp. melted butter.  Combine 1/4 c. brown sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon and then add them to the bananas and butter.  Gently toss to combine and spread on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until the bananas are fragrant and tender and the sugar is starting to bubble and caramelize.  Remove from oven and reduce heat to 350.

While the bananas are caramelizing, use an electric hand mixer to combine the milk, whipping cream, egg yolks, eggs, vanilla, salt, remaining brown sugar, rum flavoring (if using), and remaining cinnamon.  Spray a 9×13″ dish with non-stick cooking spray and spread 1/2 of the bread cubes over the bottom of the pan.  Evenly spread the caramelized bananas and brown sugar mixture and then slice one more banana over the caramelized bananas.  Spread the remaining bread cubes over the bananas.  Whisk the egg mixture one last time and pour evenly over the bread cubes.  Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes (longer if possible), poking the bread down into the mixture so it can soak in the milk and eggs.  Bake for 40-50 minutes or until puffed and golden (but not brown) and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.  Serve with Crème Anglaise (with 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon added), Buttermilk Syrup, or vanilla ice cream.