Decadent Brandy-Soaked Bread Pudding
Indulge in this luxurious Decadent Brandy-Soaked Bread Pudding, a classic dessert with rich flavors that celebrates the comforting warmth of baked bread infused with the sweetness of brown sugar and fragrant spices. This delightful dish features plump, brandy-soaked raisins nestled in layers of buttery bread, making it the perfect centerpiece for gatherings or a cozy family dinner. Whether served warm with a drizzle of crème anglaise or a dollop of whipped cream, this bread pudding is sure to impress and satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Raisins
1/2 cup (Soaked in brandy or water)
Brandy or Water
1/2 cup (For soaking raisins)
Butter or Margarine
1/4 cup (Melted)
Dry Bread
8-10 slices (Torn into small pieces)
Brown Sugar
1 cup (Packed)
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (Ground)
Allspice
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Eggs
3 (Beaten)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (Pure or imitation)
Milk
3 cups (Scalded and cooled)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and lightly grease a 1.5-quart baking dish.
2
In a small bowl, cover the raisins with brandy or water and set them aside to soak for about 30 minutes. This will plump the raisins and enhance the flavor of the pudding.
3
In a separate bowl, melt the butter or margarine. Set aside to cool slightly.
4
Tear the dry bread into small pieces and place it in a large mixing bowl.
5
In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and allspice, mixing well. Set aside 3 tablespoons of this mixture for the topping.
6
Pour the melted butter over the bread pieces, tossing to coat. This step will help the sugar mixture adhere better to the bread.
7
Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the bread and toss until evenly coated.
8
Layer half of the bread mixture at the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then drain the raisins and sprinkle half of them over the bread layer. Repeat with the remaining bread and raisins.
9
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, and vanilla until combined. Gradually add the scalded and cooled milk, whisking until smooth.
10
Pour the egg and milk mixture over the layered bread and raisins in the baking dish. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes, letting the bread soak up the liquid.
11
Sprinkle the reserved sugar mixture evenly over the top of the pudding.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the pudding is set and lightly golden on top. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Brandy-Soaked Bread Pudding?
It is a luxurious and classic dessert featuring buttery bread, brown sugar, and raisins infused with brandy.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 165 degrees Celsius.
How long should the raisins soak in brandy?
The raisins should soak for approximately 30 minutes to become plump and flavorful.
Can I use water instead of brandy?
Yes, the recipe allows for the raisins to be soaked in either brandy or water.
What size baking dish is required for this recipe?
You should use a lightly greased 1.5-quart baking dish.
How many slices of bread are needed?
The recipe calls for 8 to 10 slices of dry bread.
How should the bread be prepared?
The dry bread should be torn into small pieces.
How much brown sugar is used in the pudding?
The recipe requires 1 cup of packed brown sugar.
What spices are used to flavor the bread pudding?
The flavors come from 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice.
Why do I need to reserve some of the sugar mixture?
You reserve 3 tablespoons of the sugar and spice mixture to use as a topping for the pudding.
What is the purpose of tossing the bread in melted butter?
Tossing the bread in butter helps the sugar and spice mixture adhere better to the bread pieces.
How do I layer the bread and raisins?
Layer half of the bread mixture at the bottom, sprinkle half the raisins, then repeat with the remaining bread and raisins.
How many eggs are included in the custard?
Three beaten eggs are used to create the custard base.
What is the instruction for the milk?
The 3 cups of milk should be scalded and then cooled before being added to the egg mixture.
How much vanilla extract is required?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of pure or imitation vanilla extract.
How long should the pudding sit before baking?
Allow the pudding to sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the bread can soak up the egg and milk mixture.
What is the total baking time?
Bake the pudding in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes.
How can I tell if the bread pudding is fully cooked?
The pudding is done when it is set, lightly golden on top, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1/4 cup of melted butter or margarine.
What are some suggested serving options?
It can be served warm with a drizzle of creme anglaise or a dollop of whipped cream.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday gatherings?
Yes, it is tagged as a holiday recipe and is considered a perfect centerpiece for special occasions.
What is the role of salt in this dessert?
A 1/4 teaspoon of salt is added to the egg mixture for seasoning and flavor balance.
Is this bread pudding considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy dessert that is both comforting and simple to prepare.
Should the raisins be drained?
Yes, after soaking for 30 minutes, the raisins should be drained before being added to the layers.
Can I use fresh bread instead of dry bread?
Dry bread is preferred as it absorbs the custard better, but you can lightly toast fresh bread to dry it out.
How much allspice is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice.
Why is the milk scalded?
Scalding milk helps dissolve the sugar and improves the texture of the custard in the pudding.
What kind of texture can I expect?
The result is a rich, moist pudding with layers of plump fruit and a slightly golden, sweet top.
Does the recipe contain fiber information?
The provided recipe data does not specify fiber or other nutritional values like calories or fat.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 11 ingredients listed for this bread pudding.