Fabulous Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding

One of my favorite fall/wintertime desserts is Bread Pudding (believe it or not!)  While I know folks look at this dessert as a "poor mans dessert" it is actually a French Dessert.  It is also a great way to use up a loaf of bread.

It is wonderful to enjoy on a crisp fall evening or cold winter night. 

This dessert offers the right balance of sweet with the addition of the warm spiced rum sauce, and at times, I add just a dollop of vanilla ice cream!

Bread Pudding: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees;  (While oven is heating, mix together the wet ingredients in one bowl and the cut up bread in another bowl.)

  Wet Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 tsp of nutmeg
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
• 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla 

Dry ingredients:

• 5 cups bread cut into 1" - 1 1/2" cubes
• 1/3 cup raisins 
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• Butter for greasing baking dish

Cut bread up into small pieces and put into a large bowl.  (I cut them into about 1" squares)  Mix all other ingredients in a bowl and pour over the bread cubes.  Let soak about 10 - 15 minutes to soak up wet mixture.  Put into a well greased (I use butter) deep baking dish.  Bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until the bread pudding is browned and firm to the touch.  Use a toothpick inserted into the center, it should come out clean.  Let cool.

Spiced Rum Sauce:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 Tablespoon corn starch 
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 3 - 4 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1/4 cup Spiced Rum 

 In a small saucepan, place cream and over medium heat, bring to a boil.  Whisk in cornstarch mixed with water into low boiling cream.  (Make sure to keep whisking so you do not burn the mixture.) Bring to a boil while whisking.  Remove from heat and add sugar and spiced rum.  Taste to see if mixture is sweet enough for your taste.  Add more sugar if needed.  Let cool until warm.

Just before serving, use a fork to put holes into the bread pudding and pour the rum sauce over the top.

Let me know how you like this decadent dessert!  Enjoy  :-)