Dear Nutella,

I’m sorry.  I’m sorry that I brushed you off as just another fad.  That I treated you like an overrated version of peanut butter, which I detest very much.  That I walked past you in the grocery store and didn’t give you a second look.  Will you please forgive me?  Because I’m unequivocally in love with you.  

After finally giving in and buying a container of Nutella, I started daydreaming about all of the ways that I could incorporate the hazelnut butter into baking.   I didn’t want to make cupcakes, because I knew how that combination would taste (pretty awesome, by the way) but I couldn’t narrow it down.  

Then it hit me while grocery shopping. I was picking up some bread to make French toast and I started thinking about making a Nutella and banana sandwich – which I’ve never had – but that didn’t seem to appealing.  So, the wheels started turning and then I had an ‘A-ha!’ moment.  Nutella & Banana bread pudding.  It’s perfect for this time of the year – it’s rustic, comforting, and so yummy.

Brioche is a French bread that contains high egg and butter content.  Its very tender and fluffy, making it an easy choice for the bread pudding.  It’s super soft and tasty on its own.   Add Nutella and bananas and you have a winning combination!

Slice the brioche loaf and cover with Nutella. Be as conservative or generous as you want.  You can’t have to much Nutella, right?

Those Nutella-covered brioche cubes look like they’re drowning in the the egg mixture, but this just means that you’ll have a super moist pudding when it’s done. 

Perfection!  You’ll love this recipe because even though there are these little pockets of Nutella and bananas bursting through, it’s super easy to make.  I like to think of it as the grown-up version of the peanut butter sandwich.  

Nutella & Banana Brioche Pudding

Adapted from the Food Network

Ingredients

• 1  (13 oz.) container of Nutella
• 12 (3/4 inch) slices of brioche
• 8 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups cream
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla abstract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 ripe bananas

Directions

1. Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish
2. Cut the bread into 12 thick slices, about 3/4 inch thick.
3. Spread the Nutella over the slices, and then cut them into about 8 slices.  If your bread is soft, this step can get a little messy. Place the bread cubes into a large bowl.
4. In another large bowl, add the eggs and whisk them.  
5. Add the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract and almond extract.  
6. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes.
7. Mashed the bananas, add them to the mixture, and stir and until incorporated
8. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, cover it and let it stand for at least 1 hour.  You can let it sit for up to two hours, just make sure that it’s kept in the refrigerator.
9. Preheat the oven to 350F.  Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the pudding is set in the center.
10. Cool slightly and serve warm. 

Stay Sweet!

Randi