Classic Bread Pudding

Classic Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

• Day-old bread: 5 cups, cubed (French bread, brioche, or any sturdy bread works well)
• Eggs: 3 large
• Milk: 2 cups
• Heavy cream: 1 cup
• Sugar: 3/4 cup
• Brown sugar: 1/4 cup
• Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
• Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
• Ground nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
• Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted
• Raisins or other dried fruit (optional): 1/2 cup

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or a similar-sized dish.
2. Prepare the bread: Place the cubed bread in the prepared baking dish. If you’re adding raisins or dried fruit, sprinkle them evenly over the bread.
3. Make the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
4. Combine and soak: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, making sure all the bread is soaked. Gently press the bread down with a spoon to ensure it’s fully submerged. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes to absorb the custard.
5. Bake: Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the pudding. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Vanilla Sauce

Ingredients:

• Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick)
• Sugar: 1 cup
• Heavy cream: 1/2 cup
• Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add sugar and cream: Stir in the sugar and heavy cream, and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth, stirring constantly (about 3-4 minutes).
3. Add vanilla: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Serve: Drizzle the warm vanilla sauce over individual servings of bread pudding.

This bread pudding is a wonderful dessert that’s perfect for gatherings or as a cozy treat on a cold day. The vanilla sauce adds a lovely sweetness that complements the spiced, custardy bread. Enjoy!