So, we are in the last few days of 2011. How fast has the year progressed? I still have a few resolutions that have not been ticked off. Never mind, that’s what the New Year is for!
This is perhaps my last post of 2011, which is also my entry for the last edition of Delicious Vietnam. It is sad to let this event go, but I hope there is more deliciousness to come no matter what…
And we have a cake of some sort this time! Vietnamese cuisine is not so famous for baked goodies, I know. But this banana bread pudding certainly won’t disappoint. Although the Viet called it “baked banana cake” (bánh chuối nướng), it is more like a really delicious bread pudding.
This banana bread pudding is completely vegan and a breeze to make. No batter to be whipped up, we use up stale sandwich bread sitting on the counter. The bread is soaked in a mixture of coconut cream and brown palm sugar (or dark brown sugar). Then, alternate layers of bread and banana slices are assembled and baked. The result is a caramelised banana pudding that is soft, sweet with a really beautiful aroma of baked banana and coconut.
There are few more days to enter Delicious Vietnam – the final edition. We have some really good prizes to offer for participants. Do read the announcement here, and join us if you can!
Vietnamese caramelised coconut banana bread pudding (bánh chuối nướng)
Based on a recipe from Trieu Thi Choi. There’s another variation of this cake which uses condensed milk as well. I like the coconut version much better 
Printable recipe
Ingredients
About 4-5 large ripe bananas
20g castor sugar
80g dark brown sugar
200ml coconut cream
8-10 slices of white or wholemeal sandwich bread (if using whole meal, chose a lighter texture bread)
2-3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil (or butter)
Method
Peel the banana, and slice them lengthwise as thinly as you can. Sprinkle them with the castor sugar. Set aside.
In a small pot, heat up the brown sugar and the coconut cream. Stir frequently until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat and cool the coconut mixture down a bit.
With the bread, remove the crust.
Preheat the oven to 180C. Line a spring form baking pan with parchment paper. Grease the side of the pan.
Arrange some banana slice at the bottom of the pan. Dip the bread slices into the coconut mixture, soak them briefly, and arrange them onto the banana slice. Repeat this process until you have used all the bread. Top the pudding with a layer of banana. Sprinkle some sugar (extra) if preferred.
Drizzle the pudding with the melted coconut oil or butter. Bake in the oven for about 1 hour. If the top is brown too quickly, cover with a layer of aluminium foil. Bake until the pudding is set.
Take the pudding out, and cool down completely before unmould and slice.
I know this has to taste too good. I can taste it by just reading about the ingredients and preps. The photos make it even more real.
"Like" the comment above ^^
This pudding looks really good!
this sounds wonderful Anh specially for someone like me who loves banana based puddings!
I love that caramelised appearance – just dark enough to ensure deliciousness! Hope you've had a good 2011 and may 2012 be even better!
A delicious dessert!
i love bread pudding of any type…very tempting. have a great new years
Ohmygosh, all I need to do is use glutenifree bread and this is a wonderfully rich dessert that I could make for my Asian-cuisine-loving parents! Thank you! And Happy New Year
Coconut, bananas, bread- mmmmmm, what's there not to like! it looks lovely anh. Happy New Year to you too!
Looks really yummy! I have never tried using banana making into pudding like this!
It is so different than ours:) Your presentation alone deserves a standing ovation..Happy ,healthy,peaceful 2012.x
The bread sounds full of goodness! Sometimes I make banana pancakes, so I can imagine the heavenly taste of your bread!
This is jaw-dropping and drool-inducing my friend! I wish I had the whole thing in front of me right now (though I'd be in serious danger of revealing myself a pig by downing it all in one sitting). Happy holidays!
If I've read your post correctly, this is the end of Delicious Vietnam – I wish you well but I'm sorry to hear that I won't be getting your blog anymore. Any plans for another recipe/cooking blog?
So simple and so perfect!
By reading the ingredients and method, I know this is delicious! It would make such a great dessert.
LOVE anything banana. This is like my ultimate dessert. Love it!
Oh my goodness – this looks fabulous! So definite than the other sweet goodness that's all over the internet this month. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe!
This looks fabulously delicious! Love the flavors and it looks so moist and wonderful! Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year! xo
It looks simply irresistible! Your kitchen must have smelled heavenly when you were making it.
Banana and caramel…and bread pudding…yum…it looks so divine!!! I'm so glad bananas are cheaper now because they are just so delicious.
Nice recipe. It is yummy, delicious & easy to cook. I love to have your this recipe. Thanks for sharing this post.
This sounds absolutely amazing, Anh!
Wow, this is such an usual dish for me but looks so delicious! I am so sad to hear that this post will be the last one for Delicious Vietnam which I have learned Vietnamese cuisine and have dreamed of eating ones someday. Would you still be writing regular posts, right?
This looks delicious and I am imagine how good it taste too! Happy new year.
Looks delicious. Would love for you to come and share this with us over at foodepix.com.
What a lovely combination of east meets west! Congrats to a fantastic 2011! Cheers to the New Years
happy new year anh – this pudding looks lovely – I love condensed milk but coconut and banana is such a fine pairing – especially in summer
I'd love to have a slice of this! Banana and rich coconut cream sound wonderful together! Happy New Year 2012!
Wow! This certainly does look stunning. Happy New Year Sweet Friend! Thank you for knowing how to make me smile with your words, your food, and your presence in my life. Blessings in the year to come!
Ohh this sounds good! I'm sad to say I've never had banana bread pudding!
yummmm… that looks lovely. maybe with a drizzle of sweetened coconut.. ahhhhh
yum, banana with a drizzle of sweetened coconut would be heaven
Happy New Year! Best wishes for you for many years to come!
I *have* to try this (my husband was saying that he was slowly getting used to the flavours of the food, and that he didn't like coconut, but that he loved the way it blended with bananas the other day–he's had grilled bananas drizzled in coconut in restaurants, which sounds like a variant of this except without the bread). Thank you for the yummy recipe!
I love banana bread, and I love bread pudding, so I think this will quickly become a favorite of mine! I also like that the ingredient list is nice and short
this looks sooo good! i love that it is vegan too 😀
wow! love that caramalized banana on top… what a great recipe
Hi there! I love the look of this recipe. I have a question though. I got given some Vietnamese Palm sugar. Am wondering if I can substitute the brown sugar with it. Any suggestions?
Ms Keen Chef, yes you can safely substitute! But be sure to taste the mixture a bit to make sure it is not overly sweet or not sweet enough!
Just found your blog and loving every page of it. Love this recipe. Gonna try.
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