Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 259kcal
Equipment
- oven
- Small saucepan
- serving bowl
Ingredients
For Bread Pudding:
- 1 1/2 Cups French Bread Cubed (Homemade Yeast Rolls are Best to Use) – Sturdy and rustic, French bread cubes form the heart of the bread pudding. Their absorbent texture allows them to soak up the rich custard, transforming into a tender, moist, and flavorful base. The homemade yeast rolls add an extra layer of richness, providing a delightful contrast of textures—crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- 1 Cup Whole Milk – Creamy and luscious whole milk serves as the foundation for the custard, imparting a velvety texture and a rich, dairy flavor. When combined with the other ingredients, it creates a luxurious, smooth custard that envelops the bread cubes. Whole milk’s full-bodied richness ensures a satisfying and decadent dessert experience.
- 1 Egg Beaten – The beaten egg binds the ingredients together, creating a cohesive and creamy custard. Its proteins coagulate during baking, providing structure to the pudding while lending a velvety, custard-like consistency. The egg adds richness and a golden hue to the dessert, enhancing its visual appeal.
- 1/4 Cup Butter Melted – Luxuriously melted butter coats the bread cubes, infusing them with a rich, buttery essence. As the bread pudding bakes, the butter caramelizes, creating a golden crust that adds a delightful crunch. Butter’s velvety texture ensures a silky mouthfeel, enhancing the overall indulgence of the dessert.
- 1/8 Teaspoon Salt – A pinch of salt heightens the sweetness of the other ingredients creating a well-balanced dessert. It acts as a flavor enhancer, ensuring that every element—sweet, savory, and spicy—melds harmoniously. The salt accentuates the richness of the custard and balances the dessert’s overall taste.
- 2 Tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar – Dark brown sugar with its molasses content, adds a deep, caramelized sweetness to the pudding. Its rich, robust flavor profile complements the custard, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness and warmth. The brown sugar’s slightly sticky texture melds seamlessly with the custard, infusing the dessert with a comforting, toasty sweetness.
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon – Fragrant and warm cinnamon adds a delightful spice to the pudding. Its aromatic notes create a comforting atmosphere, filling the dessert with a cozy, autumnal essence. The cinnamon’s gentle warmth complements the sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor profile with a touch of spice.
For Vanilla Sauce:
- 1/2 Cup Whole Milk – Creamy and velvety whole milk forms the base of the vanilla sauce. Its richness provides a smooth and luxurious texture, allowing the sauce to coat the back of a spoon, indicating the perfect consistency. Whole milk’s creamy essence creates a silky sauce that enhances the dessert with a delightful creaminess.
- 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla – Vanilla extract imparts a fragrant floral aroma and a sweet, warm flavor to the sauce. Its essence elevates the dessert with a delicate vanilla note, enhancing the overall taste experience. The vanilla adds depth to the sauce, providing a comforting and familiar flavor that complements the bread pudding beautifully.
- 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar – Granulated sugar adds a natural sweetness ensuring the vanilla sauce is perfectly sweetened. Its fine crystals dissolve in the sauce, creating a smooth texture without any grittiness. The sugar’s sweetness balances the richness of the butter and the creaminess of the milk, resulting in a well-rounded and satisfying dessert sauce.
- 1/16 Teaspoon Salt – A tiny pinch of salt enhances the sweetness of the sauce bringing out the natural flavors of the other ingredients. It provides a subtle contrast, preventing the sauce from becoming overly sweet and balancing the overall taste profile. The salt accentuates the richness of the sauce, ensuring a well-balanced and satisfying dessert experience.
- 1/2 Tablespoon Flour – Flour acts as a thickening agent ensuring the sauce has a velvety consistency. It creates a smooth, lump-free texture, allowing the sauce to cling gracefully to the bread pudding. The flour ensures the sauce has the perfect thickness, enveloping the dessert in a delectable layer of creamy goodness.
- 1 Tablespoon Butter – Butter adds a luscious velvety richness to the sauce, ensuring a luxurious mouthfeel. When melted, it emulsifies with the other ingredients, creating a smooth and glossy texture. Butter’s subtle nutty notes enhance the overall flavor, infusing the sauce with a delicate richness.
Instructions
Bread Pudding
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed french bread, beaten eggs, cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt.
- Slowly pour the cooled milk and butter mixture over the bread mixture, stirring gently until all of the bread is coated.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Vanilla Sauce
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, butter, flour, vanilla extract and salt over medium heat.
- Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving over the bread pudding.
Notes
• Use stale bread for best results. Fresh bread will not set as nicely and will give the pudding a soggy texture.
• If desired, add raisins or other dried fruit to the pudding before baking.
• For a richer flavor, substitute 2 cups of half-and-half for the milk.
• To add a crunchy texture, sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the pudding before baking.
• To make individual servings, bake the pudding in a muffin tin.
• For a sweeter dessert, serve the pudding with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a dollop of whipped cream.
Nutrition
Calories: 259kcal
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