Oatmeal Raisin Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding, in my opinion, has got to be one of the most comforting desserts ever. Aside from Ice Cream, Bread Pudding is one of my favorite desserts that I enjoy having every time. I actually never had nor heard of Bread Pudding till about 3 years ago after going out for my fathers birthday at Ruth Chris Steakhouse.

We went there to enjoy some really great steak (one of the best I've ever had, by the way. Wish I could still have some...), and I knew that I was going to get a dessert, and my dad was gonna get one to. I mean, it's his birthday. Even though he's a health consensus freak, he to likes to have a good dessert for his birthday. Who really doesn't though?

I ordered the Chocolate Lava cake, my brother order ice cream, and my father, the birthday boy, ordered New Orleans Bread Pudding. When I got my Chocolate Lava Cake, it was way to chocolaty for me. I should have expected such from a Chocolate Lava Cake. I only took one bite and had enough chocolate for the day. But, my father only finished half his dessert. So, I decided to try it. And fell in love. That when I became obsessed with Bread Pudding.

I made Oatmeal Bread the other day and had half of it left. So, I decided to make more use of it. How? By making an Oatmeal Bread Pudding. I used my Oatmeal Bread recipe for the bread, but I got the custard and sauce from Peabody here. This is a really comforting dessert, and when in need of comfort, try this! You'll be in love!

Recipe

Oatmeal Bread

Recipe Here.


Cinnamon Custard

2 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 egg yolks
4 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp fresh ground nutmeg


Toffee Sauce

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract


1. Make the Oatmeal Bread as in the recipe. Let cool complete.

2. In a bowl, mix together the heavy cream, egg yolks and eggs, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk together all the ingredients until completely incorporated. Set aside until needed.

3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut up the Oatmeal Bread into 1 inch pieces. Place half of the Oatmeal Bread pieces in a buttered 8 x 8" pan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of raisins (if desired). Pour half of the custard mixture over the bread, pressing gently to allow the liquid to soak in.

4. Scatter the remaining bread evenly. Followed by another ½ cup raisins and then the last of the custard. Again, press the bread down gently to allow the custard to absorb into the bread.

5. Place bread pudding into a pan that is large enough to hold both the pan and a water bath. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the pudding pan. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Remove from oven carefully and serve with Toffee Sauce.

6. To make Toffee Sauce, stir brown sugar and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add cream and vanilla and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 5 minutes.