Bread Pudding

8 cups cubed bread
  (stale French bread is best.)
6 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup half & half  
1/2 cup cream
2 tablespoons vanilla
cinnamon
  strawberry preserves

Grease inside of a 7 x 13-inch baking pan. Arrange bread in bottom of pan. In a blender or mixer, beat eggs and sugar until fluffy. Add half & half, cream and vanilla then blend. Pour mixture over bread. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and place about 8 to 10 teaspoons of perseveres on top. Bake at 350°F until pudding is set and bread begins to brown (about 30 minutes.)

Variations:

Pecan Butterscotch Bread Pudding.
Use brown sugar instead of white and add 1/2 cup broken pecan pieces.

Chocolate Bread Pudding
Add 1/4 cup cocoa to the sugar.

Fruited Bread Pudding
Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and any one of the following fruits:  1 1/4 cups apple sauce,  1/2 cup chopped dates, 1/2 cup raisins,  1 cup mashed banana.

Hawaiian Bread Pudding
Add  1 cup drained pineapple tidbits and 2 teaspoons grated orange peel to bread.  Sprinkle top with 1/2 cup flaked coconut.

Jewel Bread Pudding
Add 1/2 cup mixed candied fruits, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 2 tablespoons chopped maraschino cherries to bread.  Cut sugar to 1/2 cup.  Dot top with currant jelly.

Marbled Bread Pudding
Mix 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces with bread.  Use only 3/4 cup sugar.  Top with additional chocolate pieces.

Peanut Butter Bread Pudding
Spread bread with about 1/2 cup peanut putter before cubing.  Add 1/2 cup of milk.


 

 2010  Nathan Krämer  Blair, Nebraska   http://www.nathankramer.com/cookbook/