Charred Banana Rum Bread Pudding with Coconut Sauce
Warm spiced bread pudding featuring caramelized bananas and a smooth coconut cream sauce, a tropical twist on a classic dessert. This caribbean-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers cubed day-old brioche bread, large, sliced lengthwise ripe bananas, dark rum into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 cups, cubed day-old brioche bread
- 2 large, sliced lengthwise ripe bananas
- 3 tbsp dark rum
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x9-inch baking dish. Place 6 cups cubed day-old brioche bread in the dish.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Heat gently until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm but not boiling.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk 4 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg. Slowly pour warm milk mixture into eggs, whisking constantly to temper.
- Step 4: Pour custard over bread cubes, pressing down gently to soak. Let sit for 15 minutes.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 large sliced bananas and cook for 2 minutes per side until charred and caramelized. Remove from heat.
- Step 6: Arrange charred bananas on top of soaked bread, then drizzle 3 tbsp dark rum over everything.
- Step 7: Bake bread pudding for 40-45 minutes until custard is set and top is golden.
- Step 8: For coconut sauce: In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk and 2 tbsp powdered sugar over low heat until warmed and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Step 9: Serve warm bread pudding drizzled with coconut sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Charred Banana Rum Bread Pudding with Coconut Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (30 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Charred Banana Rum Bread Pudding with Coconut Sauce?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Banana Rum Bread Pudding with Coconut Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Charred Banana Rum Bread Pudding with Coconut Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Charred Banana Rum Bread Pudding with Coconut Sauce?
Caribbean desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
