Bread pudding is basically a bread-based dessert which is prepared from old leftover bread. It is quite simple and easy to prepare and tastes delicious. This dessert came into existence several centuries ago with the common purpose of using leftover breads and making an appetizing pudding by soaking and baking the bread. Let’s see how you can prepare this mouth-watering dessert in few easy and plain steps. Read on.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time Required: 50-60 minutes
Resources Required:
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar (white or brown, depending on the taste)
- 3 eggs (beaten)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 stale bread slices (using french bread is the best option or white bread will do)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Oven
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven: Before preparing the pudding, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). If it is not heated prior to baking, the ingredients may not react properly and your item may not rise properly.
2. Melt the butter and pour on bread slice: Pour the melted butter on the bread slices and sprinkle sugar and cinnamon mixture on both sides of the bread. Make sure the bread slice is thoroughly coated with the butter or margarine.
3. Cut the bread slice into medium sized piece: Cut the bread slices into small or medium sized pieces and place them in the pan fitting tightly. Sprinkle raisins if required. (Raisins should be soaked in warm water and then dried before sprinkling).
4. Mix the mixture: Mix eggs, milk and vanilla extract in the mixing bowl and beat the mixture until properly mixed. You may use an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute for beating the mixture. Ensure to beat the mixture for about 4-5 minutes until you get thick and lemon colored custard.
5. Pour the mixture over bread and let it soak: Pour the mixture over bread in pan. Make sure the bread is fully covered with the mixture. Press down the bread cubes with the help of fork or spoon to make the bread cubes fully covered with the custard. Wait for 15-25 minutes for the bread to soak the mixture.
6. Bake for 45 minutes: Put the pan in the preheated oven and bake the bread for around 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Here, you can prepare a water bath (A water bath is used to provide temperature protection and prevents delicate foods like bread, cakes from burning or drying). Take a slightly larger pan containing 1 inch of hot water and place the bread pudding pan on it. Keep both the pans in the oven and let them heat for 45 minutes.
7. Serve warm or cold: Bread pudding can be served warm or cold with pecans or whipped cream for wonderful taste. Cold bread pudding is generally served in plates whereas hot bread pudding is often served directly from the roasting pan. Similarly, you can use hot or cold sauces, depending on individual taste or preference.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How is bread pudding served – hot or cold?
It is usually served cold with a sweet sauce.
2. Is bread pudding sauce required as a topping over bread pudding?
Bread pudding can be molded or modified according to different tastes and flavors. You can definitely dress up your pudding with topping sauce for great taste.
3. How to check whether the bread pudding is perfectly baked and is ready to serve?
You can check whether your bread pudding is ready for serving by inserting knife in the center of the bread crumb. If the knife comes out clean then your bread pudding is ready, if not, try baking it for few more minutes.
4. How is bread pudding stored?
You can refrigerate the bread pudding for maximum 2 days.
Quick Tips:
- Cut the bread into cubes.
- Avoid sandwich bread as it will dissolve. French or Italian bread is best to use.
- Bread pudding is served with a sweet sauce such as caramel, rum or whiskey.
Things To Watch Out For:
- Make sure the bread is not molded.
- Preheat oven prior to the preparation of pudding.
- Choose only that bread which is soft and substantial enough to hold its shape when mixed with other ingredients.
