Get the Recipe:Banana Bread Pudding with Coconut Caramel Sauce
Note: Ingredient amounts listed are for a small casserole dish (16oz) size. Double ingredients for a larger cooking dish. You can also cook this one up in individual ramekins.
4thick slices(4thick slices)white or brioche bread, toasted
1medium(1medium)banana
1Tbsp.(14.79g)brown sugar
2large(2large)eggs
3/4cup(181.5ml)half & half cream, 10% b.f.
3Tbsp.(44.36ml)coconut milk, stirred well
1/2tsp.(2.46ml)vanilla
PinchSalt
Coconut Caramel Sauce:
2Tbsp.(29.57g)unsalted butter
1/2cup(110g)light brown sugar, packed
1/2cup(113ml)coconut milk, stirred
1/2cup(45g)sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F
Toast your bread slices lightly in the toaster, just to dry them a bit. Cut off the side crusts to form a rectangle. Cut each slice in to 9-12 cubes. Place toasted bread cubes aside.
Slice your banana in to 1/2-inch slices, then cut each slice in to quarters. Place in a bowl and toss with 1 tbsp. brown sugar. Set aside.
Stir the coconut milk: When you open your coconut milk, you may find a solid creamy layer on top. If so, stir this layer in with the more watery liquid underneath, to get a smooth, creamy milk.
In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, half & half cream, coconut milk, vanilla and salt. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
Grease your baking dish. Place 1/3 of the bread cubes in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle 1/2 of the banana/brown sugar mixture over top. Add another 1/3 of the bread cubes. Sprinkle with remaining banana mixture. Top with remaining bread cubes. (You may not need all of them. Just fill vessel to near the top, but not to the top. Allow 3/4-1 inch growing room). Pour egg/cream mixture over top until it almost reaches the rim of the roaster. It may not all fit. Reserve any extra to top it up later. Press bread down with a fork, so that it compresses a bit and is mostly covered with liquid. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 15-20 minutes. If liquid level has dropped due to the bread absorbing it, top it up with reserved cream mix. If making ahead, cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
To toast the coconut: Spread coconut on a baking sheet and bake in the pre-heated 350° F. oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. Watch closely! Remove to a bowl and allow to cool.
Meanwhile, make the Caramel Coconut Sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add the brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until sugar melts. Whisk in the stirred coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes, until thickened. Stir in toasted coconut and remove sauce to a bowl until needed. You can refrigerate. Microwave briefly to loosen up sauce again before serving.
When your pudding has sat, place onto a baking sheet and bake in preheated 350F oven until set and browned, about 30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a clean knife in the centre to make sure it's set. If pudding is browning too quickly, loosely cover with a sheet of aluminum foil while it finishes baking.
Allow to stand for 5 minutes (it will deflate somewhat as it cools). To serve, top warm pudding with lots of the Coconut Caramel Sauce.