Mike's Chunky Monkey Bread Pudding

This is to die for! I found this on Ben & Jerry's website a few months ago. Now that I've tasted it I can't believe I waited that long to try it. I'm adding it to my list of all-time favorite comfort foods. Brought it to work and it disappeared in 10 minutes flat! I omitted the sugar the recipe calls for because it was sweet enough for me. I also used the regular sized semisweet chocolate chips instead of the miniature ones and added about 1/2 cup coarsely broken walnuts. An easy way to melt the ice cream is to put the unopened pints in the fridge overnight to thaw out. This would be a great brunch recipe. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 5  cups  bread cubes (use stale French bread cut into 1" cubes)
• 3  eggs, lightly beaten
• 2  pints Ben & Jerry chunky monkey ice cream, melted
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  large  ripe banana, sliced
• 1⁄2 cup  miniature dark chocolate chips
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch cake pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place bread cubes in an even layer in bottom of pan.
3. Sprinkle sliced bananas and chocolate chips evenly over bread cubes.
4. Stir together the eggs, melted ice cream, sugar, salt and vanilla.
5. Pour this mixture evenly over bread cubes.
6. Bake for 27- 30 minutes or until pudding is set.
7. Pudding should still appear moist on top.
8. DO NOT OVERBAKE.
9. Place on cooling rack.
10. Serve warm or at room temperature.