Banana Brioche Bread Pudding

Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter a 4-quart glass or ceramic baking dish and coat with sugar, tapping out any excess.

In a saucepan, combine the milk with the cream and bring just to a simmer. Put the brioche in a large bowl, pour the milk evenly over it and let stand until nearly absorbed, stirring once or twice.

In a medium bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add 1 cup of the sugar; beat until fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks, 1 at a time. Fold the mixture into the soaked brioche, then stir in the bananas.

In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add 2 tablespoons of the sugar and beat until the whites are stiff and glossy, about 2 minutes. Fold the whites into the pudding.

Transfer the pudding to the prepared baking dish; smooth the surface. Dollop spoonfuls of the fudge sauce over the top and swirl it into the pudding. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar. Set the baking dish in a large roasting pan and add enough hot water to reach two-thirds of the way up the side. Bake for 1 hour, or until the pudding is set and the top is brown.

Cool the pudding slightly in the water. Transfer to a rack to cool for 15 minutes. Serve with fudge and butterscotch sauce.