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Deliciously Rich Banana Bread Delight

Category: Sweet Treats for Every Craving

Banana bread becomes a creamy dessert by soaking it with raisins and nuts in custard. Preps in about an hour and makes enough for 8. Use most of a loaf.
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Clare Greco
Updated on Tue, 20 May 2025 18:59:02 GMT
Rich Banana Nut Chocolate Bread Pudding Dish Save
Rich Banana Nut Chocolate Bread Pudding Dish | homebitesbyana.com

This sweet treat totally happened by accident. Picture a lazy Sunday, my kitchen overflowing with loaves (I can't help myself when those bananas get spotty). My husband gave me the classic 'please, not banana bread for every meal' face. I knew I had to mix things up.

Last Christmas, my sister-in-law (she's usually not into bread pudding at all) went back for three helpings. She even stopped me in the kitchen to find out exactly how I did it. That was a proud moment for me.

Dreamy Ingredients

  • Banana bread - my favorite is chocolate chip plus lots of walnuts, but honestly any kind will do
  • Heavy cream - swap it for milk and it's just not the same, don't do it
  • Eggs - these little guys work the magic to turn the whole thing creamy
  • Golden and regular raisins - they puff up and get super juicy in the oven
  • Extra walnuts - gotta have the crunch
  • Vanilla - brings all the flavors into one happy place
Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread Bread Pudding How-To Save
Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread Bread Pudding How-To | homebitesbyana.com

Let me tell you how it all comes together...

I rip the banana bread into chunky pieces—about an inch big, not too tiny. Use your hands, not a knife. You want a mix of rough edges because those little bits grab more of the creamy stuff.

The custard part is simple: whisk eggs, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla. Early on, I put in too many eggs and ended up with a weird banana quiche vibe. Now the amount is perfect.

I throw some bread pieces in the pan, add a handful of nuts and raisins, more bread, more toppings. The whole lot gets drenched with the custard mixture—make sure no piece misses out.

Here's your chance to chill for a bit. Leave it for twenty minutes at least so the bread can really soak everything up. Sometimes I put it together before dinner so it's ready for dessert without a wait.

Bake it and watch the top turn crackly and brown while the rest stays creamy and soft. That's what makes this so good: crispy and smooth all at once.

I like to scoop some warm onto a plate and plop vanilla ice cream on top so it melts everywhere. Powdered sugar on top? Only if I'm feeling fancy, 'cause honestly, it's great all by itself.

Simple Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread Bread Pudding How-To Save
Simple Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread Bread Pudding How-To | homebitesbyana.com

My family always used to protest if I messed with plain banana bread. Now even the purists ask for this. Turns out you really can make banana bread even better!

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use plain banana bread without the extras?
Sure, that works fine too, but the chocolate and nuts enhance both flavor and texture!
→ Why are the raisins and nuts soaked first?
It softens the dried fruit and stops the nuts from pulling moisture out of the custard as it bakes.
→ Is it possible to make this ahead?
Yep! Assemble it the day before, then bake when ready. Leftovers warm up nicely too.
→ What can I replace half & half with?
You could mix whole milk and heavy cream equally or stick to full-fat milk for a lighter version.
→ Can I serve this with a sauce?
Definitely! Drizzle some caramel, chocolate, or a boozy bourbon sauce on top for extra flavor.

Banana Nut Chip Pudding

Turn banana nut bread with chocolate into a creamy pudding full of walnuts, raisins, and rich custard for the ultimate sweet treat.

Prep Time
5 min
Cooking Time
25 min
Total Time
30 min
By: Ana

Category: Desserts

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yields: 8 Servings (8 servings)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 stick salted butter, melted and cooled (½ cup)
02 2 whole eggs and 2 extra yolks
03 2 cups half & half cream
04 1 cup regular milk
05 ¼ cup sugar
06 1 loaf banana bread with chocolate chips and nuts (use about ⅔ if using a smaller baking dish)
07 ¼ cup regular raisins, soaked for at least 30 minutes
08 ¼ cup golden raisins, soaked for at least 30 minutes
09 ¼ cup walnut pieces, soaked for at least 30 minutes
10 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 ⅛ cup powdered sugar for topping (optional)
12 ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps

Step 01

Put the walnuts and both types of raisins in warm water for half an hour. Drain and rinse them when done.

Step 02

Grease your casserole or baking dish with butter. For this, use a 2-quart dish and two-thirds of a typical 9x5 inch banana bread loaf.

Step 03

Pull apart your bread into chunky 1-inch bits and spread them in your buttered dish. Sprinkle some raisins, walnuts, and golden raisins on top, then repeat. Don't go all the way to the top—leave space for expansion in the oven.

Step 04

Blend together the half & half, milk, eggs, extra yolks, cinnamon, melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in a big mixing bowl. Whisk till it all combines nicely, then pour over the layered bread and fruit mix. Add more milk if the liquid doesn't fully cover the bread.

Step 05

Give the bread a chance to soak in the custard for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, set your oven to 350°F (or 175°C).

Step 06

Pop the dish onto the middle oven rack and bake for 30 minutes, or till a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. The top should be toasty brown, and the middle set but soft.

Step 07

Once out of the oven, let it cool for just a bit so it's easier to handle. Serve warm, and sprinkle over some powdered sugar if you want.

Notes

  1. A perfect way to use up leftover banana bread
  2. Soaking the nuts and dried fruit keeps them from soaking up too much custard
  3. You can assemble it earlier and bake it fresh before eating
  4. Top it with ice cream or caramel for extra indulgence

Required Equipment

  • Casserole dish (2-quart size)
  • Mixing bowl(s)
  • Whisk tool
  • Measuring cups/spoons

Allergen Information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Contains dairy (milk, cream, butter)
  • Includes eggs
  • Has gluten due to banana bread
  • Contains tree nuts (walnuts)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes only and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 511
  • Fat: ~
  • Carbs: ~
  • Protein: ~