Barefoot Contessa Bread Pudding Recipe

Sharon Brown

Let's kick things off with the delightful world of pairings. What goes well with a warm, comforting bowl of bread pudding? Lots, actually! Consider a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top, or a drizzle of rich caramel sauce.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 10

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 240 kcal

Equipment

Oven
Baking dish

Ingredients

½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
1 loaf of buttery brioche bread
5 extra-large whole eggs
2 extra-large egg yolks
2 ½ cups cream half-and-half
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon fresh nutmeg
⅓ cup clover honey
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest from 2 oranges
½ cup golden raisins
Maple syrup for serving

Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, cut your loaf of brioche into 1-inch cubes. You want bite-sized pieces to soak up all that delicious custard. Spread them out evenly in a buttered baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your eggs and egg yolks until frothy. Slowly add the cream, then mix in the salt, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest. This creates a rich custard that will soak into your bread.
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Make sure every piece gets a chance to soak. Add the golden raisins—mix them gently into the bread.
Cover with aluminum foil and place in your preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes. After that time, remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
Once out of the oven, allow the bread pudding to cool for a few minutes. This resting time helps the flavors meld beautifully. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Serve warm, drizzled with maple syrup. Top it off with ice cream or whipped cream if you prefer a little extra indulgence. This is comfort food at its finest!

Notes

Use Day-Old Bread: Stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard without falling apart. Fresh bread can become mushy.
Experiment with Flavors: Consider adding chocolate chips, nuts, or other dried fruits for an extra surprise.
Don’t Rush Soaking: Give it time. A minimum of 30 minutes ensures the bread absorbs the custard well. Overnight soaking is even better.
Adjust Sweetness: Depending on your preference, you can modify the amount of honey or use alternative sweeteners.
Check Doneness with a Knife: If a knife inserted comes out clean, the pudding is perfect. If not, it needs a few more minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal

Keyword barefoot contessa bread pudding recipe