Bread Pudding Recipe

Bread Pudding Recipe

Ingredients:

Bread: 400-500g of stale bread (like sliced ​​bread, cornbread, or Madeiran regional bread, without the crust, cut into 2-3 cm cubes).

Milk: 1 liter of whole milk (you can use cow's or plant-based milk).

Eggs: 4 whole eggs + 2 egg yolks.

Sugar: 150-200g (adjust to taste; use brown sugar for a caramelized touch).

Butter: 50g melted + a little for greasing.

Vanilla: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or seeds from 1 vanilla pod).

Spices: Pinch of ground cinnamon and grated nutmeg (optional, but adds an incredible aroma).

Dried fruit or raisins: 100g (raisins, raisins, or chopped apricots, soaked in rum or hot water for 10 minutes).

For the caramel (optional, in the bottom of the pan): 100g sugar + 2 tablespoons water.

Directions:

Preparing the caramel (if using): In a saucepan, melt the sugar and water over low heat until a golden caramel forms (be careful not to burn it!). Pour into the bottom of a buttered pudding pan (20-22cm round). Set aside.

Soaking the bread: Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Heat the milk (do not boil) and pour it over the bread. Let it soften for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bread absorbs the milk and becomes soft.

Creamy mixture: In another bowl, beat the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Add the melted butter. Stir in the drained dried fruit. Mix everything into the softened bread, kneading lightly with your hands or a fork to create a moist, uniform dough.

Bake: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Transfer the mixture to the pan (with or without caramel). Bake in a bain-marie for 40-50 minutes (place the pan in a larger baking dish halfway filled with hot water). The pudding is ready when firm around the edges but still slightly wobbly in the center (test with a toothpick: it should come out moist, not dry).

Rest and serve: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then unmold (if caramelized) by turning it upside down. Serve warm or cold, dusted with confectioners' sugar, or accompanied by cream, vanilla ice cream, or Madeira fruit compote (such as banana or passion fruit).