Hamdi Saidani This Nutella Banana Brioche Bread Pudding is a rich and decadent recipe, which is made with Nutella and ripe bananas. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 2 hours.
Nutella Banana Brioche Bread Pudding Ingredients
- Cooking spray or butter, for the pan
- 1 (13-ounce) container Nutella
- 12 (3/4-inch) thick slices brioche or egg bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup hazelnut liqueur (recommended: Frangelico) or amaretto
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 ripe bananas
How To Make Nutella Banana Brioche Bread Pudding
- Prep the Pan and Make Sandwiches: Spray or butter a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Spread Nutella on all 12 slices of brioche, then press them together to make 6 Nutella sandwiches.
- Make the Custard and Soak the Bread: Cut each sandwich into 8 bite-sized cubes and place them in a very large bowl. In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, then whisk in the cream, milk, sugar, hazelnut liqueur, vanilla, and almond extracts until smooth.
- Soak the Bread Pudding: Pour the custard mixture over the sandwich cubes. Mash the bananas and gently stir them into the bread mixture. Pour everything into the prepared baking dish. Let the pudding stand for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours, occasionally pressing the bread down to ensure it’s fully saturated.
- Bake Until Set: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the bread pudding for 45 to 50 minutes, until the custard is set in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread pudding cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm.
Recipe Tips
- What’s the best bread to use for bread pudding? A rich, sturdy bread like brioche or challah (egg bread) is essential. These breads can soak up a lot of custard without completely dissolving, resulting in a perfect texture. Using day-old, slightly stale bread is even better.
- How do I know when the bread pudding is done? The pudding is perfectly baked when the edges are puffed and golden, and the center is mostly set but still has a very slight jiggle when you gently shake the pan. It will continue to set as it cools.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. The recipe notes that you can assemble the entire dish, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 2 hours before baking. This makes it a great dessert for entertaining.
- Can I make this without the liqueur? Yes, the hazelnut liqueur is optional, though highly recommended as it beautifully enhances the Nutella flavor. You can simply omit it if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.
What To Serve With Nutella Banana Bread Pudding
This is an incredibly rich and decadent dessert that stands perfectly on its own. It needs nothing else, but for an even more indulgent treat, you can serve a warm slice with:
- A simple scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream
- A dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa powder
How To Store Nutella Banana Bread Pudding
- Refrigerate: Cover the cooled bread pudding tightly with plastic wrap or foil. It must be stored in the refrigerator due to the eggs and dairy. It will keep well for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat individual servings in the microwave or place the entire dish, covered with foil, in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
Nutella Banana Bread Pudding Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/12th of recipe
- Calories: 710 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 95g
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Sugar: 70g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why is my bread pudding soggy?
A soggy bread pudding is often the result of using a bread that is too soft and fresh (like standard sandwich bread), which dissolves in the custard. It can also happen if the pudding is under-baked. Make sure to use a sturdy bread like brioche and bake until the center is just set.
Do I have to let it soak for a full hour?
Yes, this step is crucial. The soaking time allows the dry bread cubes to fully absorb the rich custard, which is what creates the seamless, creamy texture of a perfect bread pudding.
Can I use a different kind of chocolate spread?
Yes, if you don’t have Nutella, another chocolate-hazelnut spread will work. For a different flavor profile, you could even try a chocolate ganache or a cookie butter spread (like Biscoff).
Try More Recipes:
- Cake Doughnut Bread Pudding Recipe
- Lime Cream Trifle Recipe
- Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding with Bourbon Ice Cream Sauce Recipe
Nutella Banana Brioche Bread Pudding Recipe
Description
An ultra-decadent dessert featuring layers of Nutella-filled brioche sandwiches and ripe bananas, all baked in a rich, boozy custard.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make 6 Nutella sandwiches with the brioche slices. Cut each sandwich into 8 cubes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, milk, sugar, liqueur, and extracts to make the custard.
- Gently fold the bread cubes and mashed bananas into the custard.
- Pour the mixture into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Let it soak for at least 1 hour, pressing the bread down occasionally.
- Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes, until the center is set but still has a slight jiggle.
- Cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to allow the bread to soak in the custard for at least one full hour to ensure it’s fully saturated.
- Do not over-bake the pudding; the center should be set but still soft. It will firm up more as it cools.
- Using day-old or slightly stale brioche is even better than fresh, as it will absorb more of the custard without falling apart.
- This is a perfect make-ahead dish. You can assemble it and let it soak in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before baking.
