Rum-Soaked Banana and Coconut Bread Pudding
A warm bread pudding infused with rum-soaked bananas and shredded coconut, finished with a caramel rum sauce. This caribbean-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers day-old brioche bread, cubed, medium ripe bananas, sliced, 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
- 4 cups day-old brioche bread, cubed
- 2 medium ripe bananas, sliced
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (for sauce)
- 2 tbsp dark rum (for sauce)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (for sauce)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 medium sliced ripe bananas with 1/4 cup dark rum. Let soak for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x9-inch baking dish and spread 4 cups cubed day-old brioche bread evenly.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, and 1 tbsp vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut and the rum-soaked bananas with their liquid.
- Step 4: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish, pressing down gently to soak the bread. Drizzle 2 tbsp melted butter over the top.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the custard is set and the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Step 6: While baking, prepare the caramel rum sauce by melting 1/2 cup brown sugar with 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth.
- Step 7: Carefully add 2 tbsp dark rum and 1/4 cup heavy cream to the caramel, whisking constantly. Simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 8: Serve the warm bread pudding drizzled with the caramel rum sauce for a rich tropical dessert experience.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum-Soaked Banana and Coconut Bread Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (25 min prep + 50 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 Rum-Soaked Banana and Coconut Bread Pudding?
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 Rum-Soaked Banana and Coconut Bread Pudding?
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 Rum-Soaked Banana and Coconut Bread Pudding 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 Rum-Soaked Banana and Coconut Bread Pudding?
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.
