Not only is November National Peanut Butter Month, but it is also National Banana Pudding Lovers Month. Celebrate this perfect time of the year with this scrumptious recipe for Bourbon Banana Pudding with Glazed Pecans. A treat fit for all food lovers that combines the light side of spongecake with the decadence of banana pudding.

Bourbon Banana Pudding with Glazed Pecans

You will need a 9-inch square cake pan

Ingredients:

For pudding and candied pecans

• 3 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, divided
• 3 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups whole milk
• 5 teaspoons bourbon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons mild honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons water
• 3/4 cup pecan halves

For spongecake and syrup

• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour (not self-rising; sift before measuring)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup water

For assembly

• 3 ripe medium bananas
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Instructions:

Make pudding and glaze pecans:

1. Lightly beat yolks in a medium bowl
2. Whisk together 3/4 cup brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a small heavy saucepan. Slowly whisk in milk, then boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, until pudding is thick, about 3 minutes
3. Gradually add hot pudding to yolks, whisking constantly, then whisk in bourbon and vanilla
4. Cover surface with wax paper and chill until cold, about 2 hours
5. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle
6. Warm remaining 2 Tbsp brown sugar with honey and water in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved
7. Stir in pecans, tossing to coat, then transfer to a lightly oiled 4-sided sheet pan
8. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and shiny, about 15 minutes
9. Transfer pecans with a metal spatula to a rack to cool. Coarsely chop, reserving 4 halves for garnish

Make spongecake and syrup:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle
2. Butter and flour cake pan
3. Warm eggs (in shell) in hot water 5 minutes
4. Whisk together flour and salt
5. Beat eggs, 1/3 cup sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at high speed until tripled in volume and thick enough to form a wide flat ribbon that holds its shape on top of batter when beater is lifted, 7 to 8 minutes in a stand mixer or 14 to 16 with a handheld
6. Transfer to a wide bowl
7. Sift flour mixture, one third at a time, over batter, folding gently but thoroughly with a rubber spatula after each addition. Stir together butter and about 1/4 cup batter in a small bowl until combined, then fold butter mixture into batter gently but thoroughly
8. Pour batter into cake pan and smooth top
9. Bake until golden brown and edges start to pull away from sides of pan, 12 to 14 minutes
10. Meanwhile, bring bourbon, water, and remaining Tbsp sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat
11. Transfer cake in pan to a rack, then run a thin knife between cake and side of pan and cool 5 minutes. Invert cake onto rack

Assemble dessert:

1. Cut off one third of cake, reserving for another use
2. Brush remaining cake with half of bourbon syrup
3. Carefully turn cake right side up and brush with remaining syrup. Cool completely, about 30 minutes
4. Cut cake into 1 1/2-inch squares
5. Thinly slice bananas
6. In 4 bowls or 10-oz glasses make 2 layers each of pudding, bananas, cake (use all of it), and chopped pecans, then top with a third layer of pudding, bananas, and chopped pecans
7. Chill, loosely covered, 1 hour. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes before serving
8. Whip cream with sugar until it holds soft peaks, then dollop on top of each dessert. Garnish with reserved pecan halves.

The chef notes that you may make the pudding a day in advanced and chill it if you wish. The glazed pecans can be made 3 days ahead of time and kept (leave whole), layered between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container at room temperature. The cake can be baked and cooled a day a head of time too, wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. Brush with syrup before using. Also store-bought spongecake is an acceptable substitute.

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Source: The Bitten Word