Old Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Ingredients:

For the Bread Pudding:

• 4 cups stale bread, cubed (French bread or challah works well)
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 2 tbsp butter, melted (for greasing the dish)

For the Vanilla Sauce:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter.
2. Prepare the Bread: Place the cubed stale bread in the greased baking dish. If using, sprinkle raisins over the top.
3. Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
4. Combine: Pour the custard mixture over the bread, pressing down gently to ensure all the bread is soaked. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Make the Vanilla Sauce: While the pudding is baking, combine the sugar, heavy cream, milk, butter, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is heated through. If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve cornstarch in a little cold water and add it to the sauce, stirring until thickened.
7. Serve: Once the bread pudding is done, let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with vanilla sauce drizzled on top.

Tips

• You can add spices like nutmeg or cardamom for extra flavor.
• This dish is great served warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy your comforting Old Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce!

Enjoy!