Individual Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding

II like to fly by the seat of my pants,  and I tend to be a little unpredictable sometimes. The biggest misconception to this is when I eat at a restaurant. There are 3 Things I will order if they are on the menu every single time! Risotto of any flavor, Duck Confit and Bread Pudding. The last being my most favorite dessert ever, so if they mess it up it is curtains on that place. 

I like to make bread pudding when I have extra baguettes laying around, however day old croissants make for a fantastic result too! You can really customize it to whatever you have on hand.

Cooking sometimes is about basics and then just "chefing" it up sometimes. Bread Pudding is no different it's always the same basic custard that you flavor accordingly and add any mix ins you'd like. 

Ingredients for basic custard

4 eggs

2 cups milk

1 cup sugar ( I used light brown)

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

6 cups cubed and toasted bread

The following are your mix in's you can put anything in theses:

1/2 cup chocolate chunks

1/4 cup chopped spicy sweet pecans

1 banana diced

Gather all your ingredients so you'll be ready to roll.

Next combine your sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon together. Whisk until combined and then I add a small pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. 

Then add in your toasted and cubed bread pieces. It will look soupy at first but as it sits it will almost all be absorbed.

Add in your mix in's

Let it sit for about 20 mins to a half hour. This will allow enough time for the liquid to soak.

Like magic it's almost dry now. Next butter one large dish or small ramekins and spoon and press in as much filling as you can into them. They will puff up as they cook and then settle as they cool so place them on a sheet tray just in case they decided to flow over. 

Bake at 350 for about 35-40 mins. They will no longer be wet but nice and spongy with a crispy top. If you can wait let them rest for 10 mins. If not remove them and top with caramel sauce and whipped cream and have them for breakfast... Ice cream is also really good on them!

Happy Cooking!