You may have heard of bread pudding before, but have you heard of French bread pudding? If not, you’re in for a real treat.
French bread pudding is a delicious dessert that combines the rich flavors of French bread with a creamy custard-like mixture. In this blog post, we’re going to explore using French bread for bread pudding, the benefits of using it, different types of French bread you can use, and variations on the traditional recipe.
So, pull up a chair and let’s dive in!
Bread pudding is a traditional dessert that was first invented by thrifty British cooks in the 1800s who wanted to make use of their stale bread. It usually consists of cubed or torn pieces of bread that are soaked in a mixture of milk, eggs, butter, and sugar.
The bread is then baked until the custard is set and the pudding is ready to serve. Now, let’s take a look at how French bread can be used in bread pudding.
Benefits of Using French Bread for Bread Pudding
The most obvious benefit of using French bread for bread pudding is the flavor and texture. French bread is light and airy with a slightly sweet flavor, which makes it perfect for soaking up the custard and baking into a rich, flavorful pudding.
Additionally, French bread is very affordable and easy to find in almost any grocery store.
Different Types of French Bread Used for Bread Pudding
When it comes to choosing the best type of French bread for bread pudding, there are a few options. The most popular are baguettes, brioche, and sourdough, as they all have unique flavors and textures that can really take your bread pudding to the next level.
Preparing the French Bread for the Recipe
No matter which type of French bread you choose to use in your recipe, the bread needs to be properly prepped first. To ensure the bread absorbs the custard mixture, the bread needs to be toasted or grilled before adding it to the custard.
This will give the bread a nice crunch and will also make sure it absorbs the custard evenly. Next, the bread needs to be cut into cubes or strips.
Steps to Making a French Bread Pudding Recipe
Once the bread is prepped, it’s time to make the pudding.
The first step is to prepare the custard mixture. This can be done by combining milk, eggs, butter, and sugar in a bowl and whisking until everything is combined.
Once the mixture is ready, the bread can be added and soaked for about 30 minutes. After that, the pudding can be transferred to a greased baking dish and baked for about 30 minutes until the custard is set.
Variations on a Traditional Recipe
There are so many variations of bread pudding that you can try.
One fun way to mix up the traditional recipe is to add sweet or savory ingredients. For example, you can add chocolate chips, dried fruits, or even bacon bits to the custard mixture for a unique flavor.
You can also try substituting different types of milk or cream for the traditional ingredients to give the pudding a new texture.
Conclusion
Using French bread for bread pudding can be a great way to switch up an old classic. French bread adds a unique flavor and texture to the pudding, and it’s also very affordable and easy to find.
Whether you’re looking to make a traditional recipe or try something new, French bread can be a great choice for your bread pudding needs. So, go ahead and give it a try!