A luscious tasting, old fashioned bread pudding served fresh from the oven with tasty crisp edges, soft lightly spiced custard middle and smelling deliciously of cinnamon and orange-vanilla . . . is definitely a comfort food that will bring the whole family or friends happily into your kitchen!
I normally make this recipe with Tsoureki (sweet Greek bread) but if that is not available then I suggest using cinnamon rolls or any rich, moist egg based bread.
Instead of the raisins, cranberries with the orange zest are lovely and if you want it really sweet, some friends have told me that they have added chocolate chips to the recipe and loved it! Whatever you fancy, feel free to adjust the recipe to your liking and imagination!
Bread Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
320g Bread (Tsoureki, Brioche or Challah type bread) - day old
½ cup raisins
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
4 eggs
¼ - ½ cup sugar
2 cups milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tblsp orange zest
Garnish: Ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar (1 Tblsp sugar mixed with a little ground cinnamon)
Preparation Method
Cut bread into chunky cubes and arrange in a buttered ovenproof dish. Sprinkle bread with raisins and spices.
Combine eggs and sugar and beat with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Slowly add milk and mix well. Add vanilla extract and orange zest, mix and then pour evenly over bread.
Let stand at room temperature for about ½ hour and then bake uncovered in a pre-heated oven, 180 C (375) for about 30 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean.
Serve warm sprinkled with ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar and if you like vanilla custard sauce.
Yield: 6 servings
Tips!
Instead of Tsoureki, Brioche or Challa bread, you can use any rich egg bread or moist white loaf. If using very dry or stale bread you may want to add ½ - 1 cup milk to the recipe.
Cinnamon rolls or cardamom buns are also good in this recipe!
Vanilla sauce is lovely with this bread pudding. I often use instant vanilla sauce mix which only needs to be mixed with cold milk . . . . quick&easy!
Raisins may be pre-soaked in either brandy or rum – optional and of course more expensive!
1 – 1 ½ cup coarsely chopped apples or pears cooked lightly cooked in 1 tblsp butter with 2 tblsp sugar may be added to bread pudding before baking.
© KaritasM - January 2018