Recipe

Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup light brown sugar
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup pecan pieces
6 cups 1/2-inch-diced day-old bread (such as French baguette, Italian loaf or brioche)
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
About 2 cups sweetened whipped cream, for serving
Confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a large baking dish (10 x 14 inches) with 2 tablespoons of butter.
In a large bowl whisk together eggs, brown sugar, cream and milk. Stir in vanilla, cinnamon, bananas, pecans, bread and chocolate, blending thoroughly. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter and pour into baking dish. Bake until just firm, 1 hour. Cool pudding in dish on a baking rack until just warm, then cut into squares. To serve, top one square of pudding with a dollop of whipped cream and dust with confectioners' sugar.