Decadent Cherry Almond Bread Pudding
Indulge in the rich flavors of our Decadent Cherry Almond Bread Pudding, a luscious dessert that combines the tart sweetness of dried cherries with creamy custard and the comforting essence of Italian bread. This recipe is perfect for sharing during gatherings, holidays, or family meals. The pudding is beautifully layered with cherry goodness and dusted with confectioners' sugar for an elegant finish. Whether served warm straight from the oven or chilled for a refreshing treat later, this bread pudding is sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried tart cherries
1/4 lb (Plumped by boiling in water)
Italian bread
12 ounces (Cut into 1-inch thick slices)
Low-fat milk (1%)
6 cups (None)
Light brown sugar
3/4 cup (None)
Vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (None)
Ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons (None)
Egg substitute
1 1/2 cups (None)
Confectioners' sugar
For garnish (None)
Instructions
1
In a 2-quart saucepan over high heat, combine the dried tart cherries with 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes until the cherries are tender and plump.
2
While the cherries simmer, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a shallow 3-quart casserole dish and set aside.
3
Slice the Italian bread into 1-inch thick pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl.
4
In another very large bowl, whisk together the low-fat milk, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and egg substitute until that mixture is smooth and well-combined.
5
Drain the cherries, reserving the liquid, and add the liquid to the milk mixture. Set the cherries aside. Pour the milk mixture over the bread slices, ensuring all pieces are well soaked. Allow the bread to soak for 10 minutes, gently turning the slices occasionally for even absorption.
6
Once soaked, layer enough of the soaked bread in the bottom of the greased casserole to cover it completely. Sprinkle the majority of the cherries (reserve about 1/4 cup) over this layer of bread. Continue layering with the remaining slices of bread, overlapping them to fit snugly.
7
Pour any remaining custard mixture over the layered bread and cherries evenly.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes if the top begins to brown too quickly.
9
Once baked, top with the reserved cherries and, if desired, dust with confectioners' sugar for a sweet finishing touch. Serve warm or refrigerate to enjoy cold later.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Cherry Almond Bread Pudding?
It is a luscious dessert that combines tart dried cherries with creamy custard and Italian bread, finished with confectioners' sugar.
How do I prepare the dried cherries?
Simmer 1/4 lb of dried tart cherries in 3/4 cup water for 10 minutes until they are tender and plump.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
What type of baking dish should I use?
A greased shallow 3-quart casserole dish is recommended for this recipe.
How should the Italian bread be prepared?
Slice the 12 ounces of Italian bread into 1-inch thick pieces.
What ingredients make up the custard mixture?
The custard is a blend of 6 cups low-fat milk, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1 1/2 cups egg substitute.
How much milk is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 cups of 1% low-fat milk.
How long should the bread soak in the custard?
The bread should soak for 10 minutes, turning occasionally for even absorption.
What should I do with the liquid used to plump the cherries?
Drain the cherries and reserve the liquid to be mixed into the milk and egg custard.
How do I assemble the layers of the bread pudding?
Layer soaked bread in the bottom of the dish, sprinkle most of the cherries over it, then add remaining bread slices in an overlapping pattern.
What is the total baking time?
The pudding needs to bake for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
How do I know when the bread pudding is done?
The pudding is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
What if the top of the pudding browns too fast?
Cover the dish loosely with foil for the final 10 to 15 minutes of the baking process.
Can this dessert be served warm?
Yes, it is delicious when served warm straight from the oven.
Is it possible to serve this dish cold?
Yes, the bread pudding can be refrigerated and enjoyed as a cold treat.
What is used as a garnish for the finished dish?
Top with reserved cherries and a dusting of confectioners' sugar.
How much egg substitute is needed?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of egg substitute.
How much brown sugar is included?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of light brown sugar.
Does the recipe include cinnamon?
Yes, it includes 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon for flavor.
How many cherries should be reserved for the top?
About 1/4 cup of the plumped cherries should be reserved for the final garnish.
What specific bread is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for 12 ounces of Italian bread.
What kind of cherries are used?
The recipe uses 1/4 lb of dried tart cherries.
How much vanilla extract should I add?
Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract to the custard mixture.
Should the bread be soaked in a specific way?
Yes, place bread in a large bowl and pour the milk mixture over it, ensuring all pieces are well soaked.
Is the casserole dish greased?
Yes, you should grease the shallow 3-quart casserole dish before adding ingredients.
Can this be served at holiday gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dessert for sharing during gatherings, holidays, or family meals.
What size saucepan is needed for the cherries?
A 2-quart saucepan is ideal for simmering the cherries with water.
How thick are the bread slices?
The bread slices should be 1-inch thick.
What is the overall flavor profile?
It features tart sweetness from cherries, creamy custard, and warm cinnamon notes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients used in this bread pudding recipe.