Marthas Bread Pudding Recipes

CLASSIC BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; set aside. Put bread in a large bowl; set aside. Heat milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until just about to simmer; remove from heat.
• Whisk eggs, yolk, sugar, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, pour cream mixture in a slow, steady stream into egg mixture. Pour over bread; fold to combine. Let stand 30 minutes, tossing and pressing occasionally to submerge bread.
• Meanwhile, soak raisins in 1 cup boiling water for 30 minutes.
• Drain; stir raisins into bread mixture. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a slotted spoon, transfer bread to buttered dish; pour liquid in bowl over top. Using spoon, turn top layer of bread crust side up.
• Set dish in a roasting pan; transfer to oven. Pour boiling water into pan to reach about halfway up sides of dish. Bake until golden brown, about 50 minutes. Let dish cool on a rack 10 to 20 minutes.

CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter an 11-by-7-inch (or 9-inch square) baking dish; set aside. Toast bread (in the oven or toaster) until lightly crisped.
• In a medium saucepan, combine milk, chocolate, and butter; place over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate has melted, about 5 minutes.
• Tear bread into large pieces (about 4 or 5 per slice); scatter evenly in prepared baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in warm milk mixture until combined. Pour over bread.
• Bake until pudding has puffed and is firm, about 25 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes, and dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

MARTHA'S BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 3-quart baking dish and set aside. Combine currants and brandy in a small saucepan and heat over medium just until warm. Remove from heat, then cover and let stand 15 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons brandy.
• In a large bowl whisk together eggs, reserved brandy, salt, and sugar to combine. Add milk, cream, citrus zests, and orange juice to bowl and whisk until mixture is smooth and well-combined; stir in currants.
• Add half of brioche pieces to prepared baking dish; covering the bottom and shingling pieces as needed to fit. Ladle about half of egg mixture over top. Repeat layering with remaining half of bread pieces and egg mixture.
• Transfer dish to oven and bake 30 minutes. Remove dish and cover with parchment paper; return to oven and continue to bake until top is golden brown and custard is set, about 20 minutes more. Transfer to wire rack and let cool 10 to 20 minutes before serving.

CROISSANT PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly butter a small oval (or other shallow 1 1/2- to 2-quart) baking dish; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, milk, and salt until combined. Add croissants; toss to coat. Let sit, turning occasionally, until they have absorbed some of the liquid, about 10 minutes. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish; smooth top with a spatula. Scatter with almonds.
• Bake until pudding has puffed up and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving with whipped cream, if desired.

FRENCH TOAST BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Butter an 8-inch square baking dish; line bottom with 4 slices bread. Sprinkle with half of each cheese. Top with chives. Layer with remaining bread and cheese.
• Whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into baking dish. Cover; refrigerate at least 6 hours (or overnight).
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake bread pudding until puffed and golden, about 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.