Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Maple Glaze

History has it that bread pudding's origins date as far back as the 11th century.  And the refusal to waste leftover bread made it into a popular, frugal dish.  Fast forward to more modern times, the late 20th century to be exact, and that's where my personal history with bread pudding began.

I vividly remember the first time I tasted bread pudding.  I was a college freshman being treated to dinner by a Sorority big sister at a lovely local restaurant in our college town.  I'm sure I probably followed her lead in ordering it since I had never had it (and looked up to her immensely).  But that's where the following stopped.  Once I tasted the warm, perfectly spiced and comforting pudding, I knew we'd have a life long love affair.  And if my blog is any indication, you can probably guess how much of a fan I am.

Thinking back to that first taste, Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce, I'm thrilled to be recreating a dish that expanded my food horizons all those years ago and remains as a vivid reminder of the friendship and sisterhood that framed my first encounter.

And if that wasn't enough, bread pudding is the quintessential "bang for the buck", wow appeal, minus the requisite heavy lifting, dish that cooks and bakers everywhere love to bring to life.  Not to mention that its roots in frugality still makes it perfect for sharing without breaking the bank.

My version is served warm with a generous drizzle of maple glaze (sorry Bourbon), and perfectly proportioned in individual ramekins hearkening back to that personalized dessert course where we were first introduced. :)

If you're already a fan of this delicacy, then here's more to love.  If you're making it for the first time, I'm confident that, like me, you'll never look back.

Finally, what could make this even more special than including this recipe in the 2018 edition of the Black History Month Virtual Potluck?!  What began as an expose of 28 of the web's top black food bloggers in celebration of Black History Month continues again this year in similar, delicious fashion.  Each day of February will present a new recipe for you to explore and add to your personal repertoire.  See the full lineup following the recipe and be sure to join in on the fun.

Happy Eating!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Maple Glaze
Ingredients:
1 lb. cinnamon raisin bread, cubed into 1 in. pieces
1 quart half-n-half
4 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more for greasing ramekins
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons maple syrup
4 tablespoons powdered sugar, plus more for dusting 


Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease individual ramekins and set aside.
Place cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes. 
While bread is toasting, whisk together half-n-half, eggs, sugar, melted butter, salt, cinnamon and vanilla in a large bowl.  Add in toasted bread and push with hands to submerge in custard.  Let sit for 10 minutes.
Ladle bread custard into ramekins.  Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake in oven for 30-40 minutes until cooked through (a tester inserted into the center should come out clean.)
Meanwhile, for the maple glaze, whisk together maple syrup and powdered sugar to desired consistency.  Add a few drops of water to loosen, if needed. 
Remove ramekins from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and dust puddings with powdered sugar.  Drizzle with maple glaze, serve and enjoy!

Black History Month Potluck 2018

Beautiful Eats & Things | Turkey Sausage Stuffed Collard Green Wraps
Better With Biscuits | Fresh Corn Pudding
Beyond The Bayou Food Blog | Creole Red Snapper Courtbouillon
Brandi’s Diary | Better than Jiffy Cornbread from Scratch
Butter Be Ready | Southern Style Mac and Cheese
Chef Kenneth | Fried Sweet Potato Hand Pie
Chocolate For Basil | Pilau and Kachumbari (Spiced Rice with Pico)
Cooks with Soul | Braised Short Rib Meatloaf
D.M.R. Fine Foods | Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Maple Glaze
Dash of Jazz | Nigerian Jollof Rice
Domestic Dee | Fried Peach Pies
Eat.Drink.Frolic. | Olive Oil Braised Collard Greens
Food Fidelity | Mofongo Relleno (Mashed Plantains with Garlic Shrimp)
Food is Love Made Edible | Buttermilk Biscuits with Fried Chicken and Tabasco Honey
High Heels and Good Meals | Crawfish Etouffee
HomeMadeZagat | Shrimp with Spicy Curry Cream Sauce
Houston Food Fetish | Sweet Almond Tea Cakes
In the Kitchen w/Kmarie | Pineapple Lemonade
Marisa Moore Nutrition | Bourbon Peach Glazed Salmon
Meiko and The Dish | Candied Bourbon Peach Cobbler
My Life Runs On Food | Lentil Soup and Roast Okra
Orchids + Sweet Tea | Carrot and Zucchini Noodles Stir Fry with Shrimp
Raised on Ramen | Orange Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Savory Spicerack | Creamy Seafood Stew
Simply LaKita | Blackberry Cobbler
The Hungry Hutch | Orange Bundt Cake with Vanilla Glaze
The Kitchenista Diaries | Smothered Turkey Wings
The Seasoning Bottle | Honey Turmeric Skillet Chicken

Pumpkin Maple Bread Pudding with Toffee Sauce

It seems everything, everywhere in the food stratosphere right now is about pumpkin.  Pumpkin has long been considered a star ingredient for Fall and holiday fare...and I recently decided it was high time that I join in on the fun.

Bucking the traditional pumpkin pie, I still wanted the flavors--the warmth, spice, and homey goodness--that have made it a perennial favorite.  From there my aspirations turned to coming up with a knockout version of pumpkin bread pudding that couldn't be resisted--or forgotten.  Combining pumpkin, maple and a host of "it must be the holidays already" spices, it was a treat in the making, with the usual ease that I love when making bread pudding.

And although this sugar-n-spice confection needs no further handling to enjoy, I couldn't resist finishing it with a generous drizzle of homemade, buttery toffee sauce.  

So when you're ready for decadent, perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert--and all-around indulgent--noshing, this recipe is one you'll want in your arsenal.

Happy Eating!

Pumpkin Maple Bread Pudding  

Ingredients:

1 lb. baguette cut into 1-inch cubes
4 cups half-n-half
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground clove
1 cup light brown sugar
¼ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Unsalted butter

Method: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.

Place bread cubes in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl combine the remaining ingredients (except for the butter, which is used above) and whisk to combine well.  Pour the custard mixture over the bread and allow the bread to soak in the mixture for 10-15 minutes.

Pour the bread and custard into the baking dish and bake until set, approximately 45-50 minutes.  Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.  Serve warm or at room temperature with toffee sauce (recipe to follow) and enjoy.

Toffee Sauce    
Ingredients: 
1 stick of unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup dark brown sugar 
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt 

Method: 
Heat ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved.  Increase the heat to a medium heat and allow to simmer until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Panettone Bread Pudding!

Panettone Bread Pudding with Amaretto Sauce

I discovered a light, airy, buttery, fruit-studded bread/cake-of-sorts several years ago, known the world round as Panettone.  An Italian staple and delicacy, it happened upon my food scene in a memorable way--and has never left.  

Panettone becomes readily available as the holiday season unfolds, almost like the perfect harbinger to all the delectable bites that lie ahead during this time of the year.  It's so wonderful that it needs no extra handling to enjoy its sweet goodness, and I typically start off the season on this note, enjoying mini-sized Panettone for snacking and toast, as I anticipate the sure-to-come ultimate indulgence of this treasure: my Panettone bread pudding.

I began serving this bread pudding during holiday gatherings years ago, and it has become a favorite tradition of mine to share with friends and family.  (I've even gifted Panettone loaves with recipe cards to hard-core fans.)  And with the typical ease that comes with making a bread pudding, the payoff is huge: wow appeal coupled with truly good eating.  I like that kind of return in any endeavor, especially one so near to my heart--and taste buds.  

Now, I'm excited to share my tradition with you.  Enjoy & Happy Eating!

P.S. I'd love to know what makes your holidays special.

Panettone Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

1 pound Panettone, cut into 1-inch cubes

5 eggs

3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups milk

2 cups heavy cream

1/3 cup almond slices

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter a 9-by-13 inch baking dish.

Spread the bread cubes out on a large baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, vanilla and almond extracts.  Slowly whisk in the milk and cream until well blended.  Stir in the bread cubes and let stand to absorb the custard, 10-15 minutes.  Stir again, then transfer the bread mixture to the prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle almond slices on top.

Bake until a knife inserted into the center of the pudding comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.  Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for at least 5 minutes.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe adapted from Williams-Sonoma