Banana Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce
Banana Bread Pudding:
1/3 cup raisins or currants
2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup dark rum
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
3 bananas, peeled, halved crosswise and then lengthwise
5 tablespoons sugar
2 cups whipping cream
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces firm white bread slices, crusts trimmed, each slice cut into 3 strips
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans (about 2 ounces)
Rum Sauce:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons dark rum
Banana Bread Pudding:
Combine raisins and 2 tablespoons rum in a small bowl. Let stand 20 minutes.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add bananas
and 2 tablespoons sugar and cook until bananas are tender, about 2 minutes per
side. Remove from heat. Combine whipping cream, eggs, vanilla extract and
remaining 1/4 cup rum and 3 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl and whisk to
blend.
Preheat oven to 350�F. Butter 9X5X3-inch loaf pan. Arrange 1/3 of bread strips
crosswise in bottom of prepared pan. Arrange 6 banana pieces atop bread.
Sprinkle with half of raisins and half of pecans. Arrange 1/3 of bread strips
crosswise atop bananas. Pour half of egg mixture over. Arrange remaining banana
pieces atop bread. Sprinkle with remaining raisins and pecans. Arrange remaining
bread strips crosswise atop bananas. Pour remaining egg mixture over. Press
gently on top layer to compact. Let stand 15 minutes.
Bake bread pudding until puffed and golden and knife inserted into center comes
out clean, about 45 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool slightly.
Cut bread pudding into slices. Arrange on plates; drizzle with warm Rum Sauce
and serve.
Rum Sauce (Makes about 1 cup):
Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cream, sugar and
salt. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Stir in
rum. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over low heat,
stirring constantly.)
Serves 6 to 8.
AUTHOR: TUDDLES |