Though I love bananas, be they in smoothies, bread, ice cream, or plain out of the peel, I had never before appreciated the cloying custard’s iconic place on dessert menus around town.

Prepare rye whiskey sauce (recipe below), keeping warm until needed. At serving time, scoop bread pudding into individual bowls and top with reserved whiskey sauce. Serves 8 to 12. Rye Whiskey Sauce ...