Shibuya Banana Pudding French Toast

Instructions

1. Make the banana pudding filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix, cold milk, and vanilla for about 2 minutes, until combined and thick. In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer on medium speed to whip the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form, 5–6 minutes. Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the pudding mixture. Reserve the remaining whipped cream for topping. Cover and chill the pudding until cold, 10–15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the toast boxes: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Quickly dip each side of the bread pieces in the custard mixture (do not soak). Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over all sides. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the butter to the skillet, and let it melt. Add the bread boxes to the skillet, and cook until golden and caramelized on all sides, 8–10 minutes total, adding more butter as needed to prevent burning. Remove the toast boxes from the skillet. (If you see burned sugar in the skillet, remove it with a spoon before continuing.) Let the toast boxes cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
3. Using a serrated knife, cut a 2-inch-deep hole into the top side of each toast box. Hollow out the center, leaving a sturdy ½-inch border. Set the toast boxes aside, reserving the hollowed-out bread cubes separately.
4. Make the toasted bread cubes: Heat the same nonstick skillet over medium heat. Toss together the hollowed-out bread cubes, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl. Add the bread cubes to the skillet, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy on all sides, 5–6 minutes total. Set aside, and let cool slightly, about 3 minutes.
5. To assemble the Shibuya banana pudding toast, spoon a layer of banana pudding into each hollowed-out toast box (about 3 tablespoons each). Add a layer of banana slices (3–4 slices each), followed by a layer of toasted bread cubes (3–4 cubes each) for extra crunch. Repeat the layers until the boxes are filled.
6. Top each toast box with the remaining whipped cream, along with vanilla wafers and extra banana slices. If desired, dust with powdered sugar, and drizzle maple syrup.
7. Enjoy!