Slow Cooker Banana Bread Pudding

This version of Banana Bread Pudding is rich with bananas, warm spices, and caramel sauce for a bread pudding twist on New Orleans dessert: Bananas Foster!

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• 5 cups of day-old bread cubes (preferably a dense bread like brioche or challah)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips or raisins (optional)
• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Grease the inside of your slow cooker with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
2. Bread Base: Place the day-old bread cubes into the slow cooker.
3. Banana Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, milk, sugar, melted butter, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
4. Mix-ins: If you’re using nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins, fold them into the banana mixture.
5. Assemble: Pour the banana mixture over the bread cubes in the slow cooker, ensuring all the bread is soaked. Use a spatula to gently press the bread down so that it’s submerged in the mixture.
6. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low. Cook for 3 to 4 hours, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
7. Serve: Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let the bread pudding sit for about 15 minutes to firm up a bit. Serve warm, and if desired, top with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips:

• For an added layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of rum or bourbon to the banana mixture.
• If you have any leftover caramel or chocolate sauce, drizzling it over the bread pudding can enhance the dessert’s richness.

This slow cooker banana bread pudding is a delightful twist on the classic dessert, offering the comforting flavors of ripe bananas and warming spices. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a fuss-free dessert to serve a crowd!