Dessert

Banana Bourbon Bread Pudding

For the bread pudding:

1 loaf (about 14 ounces) banana bread, cubed

4 cups (8 ounces) cubed French or Italian bread

2 very ripe bananas, mashed

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

3 cups milk, hot

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

For the bourbon sauce:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1/4 cup bourbon

Berries for garnish (optional)

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange the cubed banana and French breads in an even layer. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the mashed bananas, eggs and sugar, incorporating Still whisking, add the hot milk, vanilla and allspice. Gently mix in the toasted bread cubes and pecans.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake until puffed and cooked through, 25 to 35 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until smooth and soft. Beat in the powdered sugar. Add the bourbon and stir until smooth. Set aside.

Remove bread pudding to a cooling rack. Spoon on the sauce, spreading it as necessary so it melts evenly over the surface. Serve warm, garnished with berries if desired. Makes 16 servings.

Per serving: 340 calories, 120 calories from fat (35 percent of total calories), 14 g fat (6 g saturated, 0 g trans fats), 65 mg cholesterol, 48 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 25 g sugar, 6 g protein, 200 mg sodium.