We’re returning to the front of the book for one last pass, and we’ll wrap up in September. We plan to begin baking through the first book after we’re done with Occasions, since Baked Sunday Mornings began with book #2.
For the first bake of 2017, we’ve got a gooey Elvis-inspired bread pudding to celebrate The King’s birthday. Posting date is January 15!
Caramel-y Banana, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate Bread Pudding
Author:
Serves: 8 very large and shareable servings
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1⁄4 cup (55 g) firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 6 very ripe medium bananas, cut into 1⁄2-inch (12-mm) slices
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 large egg
- 21⁄2 cups (600 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (290 g) smooth peanut butter
- 2⁄3 cup (150 g) firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 loaf day-old brioche (about 12 ounces/340 g, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes (see Notes)
- 5 ounces (140 g) dark chocolate (60 to 72% cacao), coarsely chopped
- 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar (optional)
- 1 pint (473 ml) premium vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly spray eight 8-ounce (240-ml) ramekins or soufflé dishes with nonstick cooking spray (alternatively, pour a little canola oil on a paper towel and apply to the bottom and sides of the ramekins). Place four of the prepared ramekins in a large roasting pan and set aside. If you are lucky enough to own two roasting pans, you can place the remaining four ramekins in the second roasting pan. If not, bake them in two batches.
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and dark brown sugar together and cook until bubbly. Add the banana slices and cook until lightly browned and encased in a thick syrup, about 10 minutes, tossing frequently to ensure even caramelization. Use a spoon to transfer the bananas to a large parchment-lined platter in one layer (some of the liquid will transfer with the bananas; this is a good thing).
- In a very large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and egg until blended.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, peanut butter, and light brown sugar. Cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until it is just about to boil, then remove from the heat. Whisking constantly, slowly stream about 1⁄4 cup (60 ml) of the cream mixture into the egg mixture. Continue whisking until well combined, then in a slow, steady stream, continue to add the remaining cream mixture into the egg mixture, again whisking con- stantly, until completely blended. Add the vanilla and salt and whisk vigorously for about 1 minute to release excess heat. Let stand for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir all of the cubed bread into the custard. Use a large spoon to stir and ip the mixture to make sure every piece of bread is coated completely in the custard; set aside for about 30 minutes to soak. During the soaking period, use the back of the spoon to push the bread back down into the custard every few minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a pot or kettle of water to a boil.
- Divide the chocolate equally among the prepared ramekins. On top of the chocolate, divide about half of the bread-and-custard mixture evenly among the ramekins. Add the bananas in an even layer to each ramekin. Top the banana layer with the remaining bread-and-custard mixture. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water reaches about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the custard is set: A toothpick inserted into the center of the custard should come out clean, the custard will start to pull away slightly from the sides of the ramekin, and the top will look baked, not wet. Remove the baking dish from the oven, remove the ramekins from the hot water with tongs, and allow the puddings to cool for 20 to 30 minutes. Dust the warm bread puddings with confectioners’ sugar and serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Notes
[i]How to use fresh brioche in bread pudding[/i][br]You can use fresh brioche in this bread pudding recipe, but you need to toast it first so it absorbs the custard properly. Here is how we do it:[br]1. Preheat the oven to 350°f (175°c).[br]2. Cut the loaf of brioche into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes.[br]3. Place the brioche cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and toast for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes.[br]4. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet, then proceed as directed.[br][br][i]How to Store: [/i]To store bread pudding, cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat bread pudding in a 250°F (120°C) oven until warm throughout (and, yes, some people happily eat the pudding directly from the refrigerator). A surprising number of people rmly believe that bread pudding tastes even better on Day Two; we like Day One and Day Two equally.
I’ve been wondering about Book 1 :) I love the lemon drop cake! Super excited to bake thru a full Baked cookbook.
OMG we’re doing Book #1?!?!?! AMAZING! I just made the brownies from it over Christmas, they’re my #1 faves! There are so many things I still haven’t baked from it. And the perfect excuse to re-make the things I have (coughSweet&SaltyCakecough)
Same, I’m so excited!! I haven’t explored that book nearly enough– how shameful! ;-p It’ll be interesting to look at those earlier recipes through the lens of having baked through the three subsequent books, and even tested one.
Okay, I don’t know what my deal is with this brioche. It didn’t come out right when we made it the first time, and I was sure I could get it right this time, but I got the exact same weird, buttery-greasy dough. Didn’t even bother baking it. In the first mixing phase, after it initially was a single piece of dough flying around, it started sticking to the bowl again and never achieved the texture that it’s supposed to. I am stumped– any suggestions??
I am excited to get back in the swing of things around these parts! Also excited to revisit BOOK 1 :)