Banana-Chocolate Bread Pudding

BANANA-CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING

recipe courtesy Isa Chandra Moskowitz

6 CUPS CUBED STALE BREAD
1 CUP CHOCOLATE CHIPS
3 BANANAS, RIPE, SLICED 1/2 INCH THICK
2 ¼ CUPS NON-DAIRY MILK, UNSWEETENED
3 TBSP. ARROWROOT POWDER
⅔ CUP MAPLE SYRUP, OR AGAVE NECTAR
1 TSP. VANILLA EXTRACT
½ TSP. CINNAMON, GROUND
¼ TSP. NUTMEG

1.PREHEAT OVEN TO 325 CONVECTION/350 CONVENTIONAL AND GREASE 9 X 5 INCH LOAF PAN WITH SOFTENED MARGARINE.:

2.IN A SMALL BOWL, WHISK TOGETHER 1 CUP MILK AND ARROWROOT POWDER UNTIL NO LUMPS REMAIN.:

3.ADD REMAINING MILK, SWEETENER, VANILLA, CINNAMON AND NUTMEG AND WHISK TO COMBINE. :

4.POUR OVER CUBED BREAD AND STIR TO COAT EVERY PIECE. ALLOW TO SIT FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES FOR LIQUID TO SOAK INTO BREAD. ADD MORE MILK IF NEEDED, SO THAT BREAD IS COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH A BIT OF LIQUID LEFT OVER.:

5.MIXTURE SHOULD LOOK MUSHY AND WET. FOLD IN CHOCOLATE AND BANANAS, MASHING THE BANANAS SLIGHTLY THROUGHOUT.:

6.POUR MIXTURE INTO LOAF PANS, PATTING DOWN TO MAKE AN EVEN TOP. BAKE 28-35 MINUTES, UNTIL TOP IS PUFFED, SLIGHTLY BROWN AND FEELS FIRM. ALLOW TO COOL SLIGHTLY BEFORE SLICING AND SERVING OR SCOOPING WITH ICE CREAM SCOOP.:

(Servings: 8)