RECIPE: Banana-Chocolate Bread Pudding & Butter Caramel Sauce Something special for Wednesday Night

Here is something economical yet tastes a million dollars!!

Make it your own by adding whisky, rum & etc.
Great with rum soaked raisins added
Change the fruit , great with  canned and drained mandarin oranges, berries and peaches.
 Try this with canned black cherries drained and add brandy!
Dark or bitter sweet chocolate is best for deep flavors.
Make sure you use unsweetened cocoa powder and not hot chocolate mix

Use any kind of fresh bread, I prefer wholewheat, even GF works.

Serves 6 
This is also best prepared the day before and soaked overnight before baking.
 I prefer mine served hot with ice cream or sour cream. But if will be OK served cold, but not as light.


4 cups bread cubes leave crusts on
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
3 large eggs beaten
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
3tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 x14ozs sweetened condensed milk*
2 1/4 cups cold water
3tbsp melted butter
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (do not use baking chocolate)
4 ripe bananas 


Method:

In a large bowl, place the bread cubes.
Beat the eggs, adding the cocoa, salt, vanilla, water, canned milk  and mix until all combined.

Pour this over the bread cubes, and allow to soak for 30 mins.

Well butter a deep ovenproof casserole.
Pour half the breadcrumb custard into this then top with sliced bananas (using 2) and 1/2 the chocolate chips.
Combine the remainder of chocolate chips with the remainder of bread mix, add sliced bananas (the remaining 2).
Place this on top in the casserole dish and pour over melted butter.

Bake in a preheated 350F oven on a lined cookie sheet 40-45 mins until raised and fluffy (until knife inserted comes out clean).

Serve warm with any of the following warmed sauces, ice cream, whipped cream or vanilla custard.

Caramel Sauce & Butter Rum Sauce
1 stick butter (4ozs)
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 cup single/whipping cream
heat over medium heat in heavy bottomed pan, bring to boil and cook 8-10 mins until thickened.
Serve as is or add 3tbsp rum or extract

* you may also use evaporated milk (2 cans) or 4 cups fresh milk and 1 cup dark brown sugar.