Bread Pudding.

Bread Pudding Recipe--

I have been craving some cold weather comfort food lately. Some warm cinamony bread pudding was the answer last night. I found this recipe at simplyrecipes.com.  I tweaked it a little bit and made it a little more family friendly for my girls. It was delicious and a hit with everyone.
This bread pudding recipe is based on one from the famed Bon Ton Cafe in New Orleans.

Bread Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

Bourbon Sauce:



1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup Kentucky bourbon whiskey ( I used much much less... almost 1/3 cup)

Bread Pudding:

1 loaf French bread, at least a day old, cut into 1-inch squares (about 6-7 cups)

1 qt milk

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups sugar

2 Tbsp vanilla

1 cup raisins --soaked overnight in 1/4 cup bourbon-- ( I also didn't do this step)

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

( I added 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips because I had them)
Method

Bourbon Sauce:
In a saucepan, melt butter; add sugar and egg, whisking to blend well. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. (Do not allow to simmer, or it may curdle.) Whisk in bourbon to taste. Remove from heat. Whisk before serving. The sauce should be soft, creamy, and smooth.

Bread Pudding:
1 Preheat oven to 350°F.
2 Soak the bread in milk in a large mixing bowl. Press with hands until well mixed and all the milk is absorbed. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, vanilla, and spices together. Gently stir into the bread mixture. Gently stir the raisins into the mixture.
3 Pour butter into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Coat the bottom and the sides of the pan well with the butter. Pour in the bread mix and bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes, until set. The pudding is done when the edges start getting a bit brown and pull away from the edge of the pan. Can also make in individual ramekins.
Serve with bourbon whiskey sauce on the side; pour on to taste. Best fresh and eaten the day it is made. Makes 8-10 servings