How To Easily Transform Banana Bread Into A Classic English Dessert

While banana bread is certainly a delicious dessert (or breakfast, we don't judge) on its own, have you ever thought about using it as a base for something even more decadent? The next time you're making a batch of your favorite three-ingredient banana bread, consider elevating it by turning it into a beloved English dessert: a trifle.

Born in 18th-century England — and traditionally made by layering sherry-soaked leftover cake with ingredients like jelly, custard, and fruit — the trifle was eventually brought to the United States around the late 1700s. Today, it can be found in countless variations, including swapping out the leftover cake for ultra-moist banana bread. To accomplish this, all you need to do is cube your bread and layer it in a bowl or other vessel with ingredients like whipped cream, bourbon-infused banana pudding, and sliced bananas. Not only will you have a visually appealing treat to present at your next gathering, but using banana bread will add a rich, sweet, and comforting flavor to your trifle.

One thing we love about this method is that you can customize it in fun ways, depending on your preferences. For instance, rather than just using fresh bananas for the layers, you can caramelize them to introduce some additional jammy texture and flavor. Adding spices or boozing up your banana bread with rum is another way to incorporate more depth. You might also reach for festive alcohols that pair beautifully with bananas, such as amaretto. 

If you'd like to add more texture, consider including crunchy nuts, chopped chocolate, or crumbled cookies. For a sweeter trifle, add syrups or jams to the layers. Caramel is a no-brainer, but you could branch out with complementary flavors like Nutella, strawberry jam, or blueberry compote.

And finally, don't be afraid to play around with the banana bread itself. Including dried fruits in the batter could be a fun addition once it's turned into a trifle. You could also use a seasonal version, such as pumpkin banana bread in the fall, to turn a classic dessert into a rich, autumnal showstopper. If you do, think about other layers that could enhance it, such as cinnamon whipped cream or crushed gingersnaps to complement those warm flavors.