Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding

Few desserts strike the perfect balance between nostalgic comfort and gourmet indulgence like this Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding. With its irresistibly tender center, pockets of melted chocolate, and the sweet depth of ripe bananas, this dish is everything a warm dessert should be. The use of day-old bread helps absorb the rich custard, transforming humble leftovers into a luxurious treat that feels both familiar and elevated.

Perfect for holidays, brunch, or a weeknight indulgence, this pudding is versatile and forgiving. Whether you top it with vanilla ice cream, drizzle it with caramel sauce, or enjoy it plain, each bite delivers a satisfying combination of textures and flavors. It’s a crowd-pleaser that looks impressive yet is surprisingly easy to make. The soft custardy middle paired with the golden, slightly crisp top is the kind of contrast that makes people go back for seconds (or thirds!).

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cubed day-old bread (brioche or challah preferred)

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips

• Butter for greasing the baking dish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish with butter.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, cream, sugars, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.

3. Fold in the mashed bananas and mix gently.

4. Add the bread cubes to the custard mixture and let soak for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure all bread is coated.

5. Stir in chocolate chunks, reserving a few for topping.

6. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and top with remaining chocolate chunks.

7. Bake for 35–45 minutes or until the top is golden and the center is set but still slightly soft.

8. Let cool slightly before serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 390 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

There’s something uniquely heartwarming about the combination of chocolate, bananas, and bread. This Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding recipe brings together the cozy nostalgia of banana bread with the rich indulgence of melted chocolate and the soft, custard-like texture of traditional bread pudding. It’s a dessert that doesn’t just satisfy your sweet tooth—it wraps you in a warm hug of flavor, texture, and comfort.

The Story Behind Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is a classic dish with humble beginnings, dating back to the 11th or 12th century. It originated as a way to reduce food waste, transforming stale bread into a satisfying, hearty dessert. Over the centuries, it evolved from a simple peasant meal into a beloved comfort food with endless flavor variations—from raisins and cinnamon to chocolate and bourbon. This version modernizes the tradition with ripe bananas and semi-sweet chocolate chunks, adding richness and a naturally sweet twist to a time-tested favorite.

Why This Recipe Works

What makes this Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding truly shine is its ability to deliver maximum flavor with minimal ingredients. You don’t need any fancy tools or rare ingredients—just bread, bananas, chocolate, eggs, milk, and cream. These pantry staples come together in a luxurious way, creating a velvety custard base that soaks into the bread, transforming it into something magical.

The bananas offer natural sweetness, moisture, and depth of flavor, while the chocolate brings bursts of richness in every bite. Combined with a cinnamon-vanilla custard, the entire dish bakes into a golden-topped dessert with an irresistibly gooey center.

What Kind of Bread Should You Use?

While this recipe is quite forgiving, the choice of bread plays a big role in the texture and richness of the pudding. Brioche and challah are excellent choices due to their soft crumb and buttery flavor. They absorb the custard mixture beautifully without disintegrating, resulting in a lush, structured texture. French bread or even croissants can also work well. Day-old bread is ideal, as it soaks up the liquid better than fresh bread, ensuring a moist but not soggy dessert.

The Role of Ripe Bananas

Using ripe bananas in this dessert isn’t just for sweetness—it’s about complexity. As bananas ripen, their natural sugars intensify, and their flavor becomes more aromatic. They also contribute moisture and a creamy texture to the pudding, blending perfectly into the custard without overpowering the dish. It’s a great way to use up bananas that are past their prime—another nod to the recipe’s roots in reducing food waste.

Chocolate: The Ultimate Upgrade

The addition of chocolate takes this traditional dessert to a whole new level. Semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips are ideal—they melt into gooey pockets that contrast beautifully with the soft, spongy bread. The chocolate adds depth and luxury, turning a humble pudding into a decadent treat. You can also try dark chocolate for a slightly bitter edge or milk chocolate for extra creaminess, depending on your preference.

Why It’s the Best Dessert for Any Occasion

This Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding is the kind of dessert that feels right for almost any setting. It’s simple enough for a weeknight indulgence, yet elegant enough for a holiday dinner or a dinner party dessert. It can be prepped ahead of time and baked just before serving, making it a reliable choice for entertaining. And the aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes? Absolutely heavenly.

It’s also incredibly adaptable. You can add nuts for crunch, a splash of bourbon or rum for an adult twist, or even dried fruit for a rustic variation. Serve it with whipped cream, caramel sauce, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate it even further.

Healthier Comfort with Wholesome Ingredients

Although this dish is rich, it uses whole ingredients—bananas, eggs, milk, and cream—which offer nutritional value alongside indulgence. Bananas are packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6. Eggs provide high-quality protein and essential nutrients. While it’s a treat, it’s not empty calories; this dessert offers a balance of wholesome ingredients in a deliciously comforting package.

If you’re looking to lighten it up, you can experiment with reduced-fat milk or coconut cream. You can even substitute maple syrup or honey for refined sugar, or use whole grain bread for extra fiber. This flexibility makes it easier to adapt the dessert to your dietary goals without compromising its soul-soothing qualities.

A Dessert Rooted in Sustainability

One of the quiet victories of this dish is how sustainable it is. Instead of throwing out overripe bananas or stale bread, you’re turning them into something beautiful and desirable. This approach not only reduces kitchen waste but also aligns with mindful cooking practices that honor every ingredient. It’s a small but meaningful way to embrace zero-waste living while still enjoying comfort food at its finest.

Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

To ensure a flawless result, here are a few helpful tips:

• Let the bread soak: Give the bread enough time to absorb the custard mixture so that every bite is evenly flavored.
• Use room temperature eggs: This helps the custard mix smoothly and bake evenly.
• Bake until golden and set: The top should be golden brown, and the center should have just a slight jiggle. Overbaking can dry it out.
• Let it rest: Allowing the pudding to sit for 5–10 minutes after baking helps it firm up and improves the texture when serving.

Why Readers Will Love It

This recipe hits all the right notes—it’s indulgent, easy to prepare, economical, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re baking it for your family, bringing it to a potluck, or simply treating yourself, it’s the kind of dessert that draws people in and keeps them coming back for more. It’s also a lovely introduction to bread pudding for those who have never tried it—especially kids, who will be instantly hooked by the chocolate-banana combo.

Conclusion

Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding is more than just a dessert—it’s an experience. It’s that warm, satisfying spoonful on a chilly evening, the perfect way to use pantry staples, and a reminder that the best recipes often come from simplicity. Its rich flavor, velvety texture, and easy adaptability make it a timeless addition to any dessert collection. Whether you’re baking for comfort, celebration, or curiosity, this pudding delivers every single time. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your go-to dessert for years to come.