Cajun Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce

Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce poured over top
Servings  5
Ingredients
  • 2 cups milk, divided
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons and 3/4 teaspoon butter, softened
  • 4-1/2 cups cubed French bread (1 inch cubes) *about half a loaf*
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  •  
  • PRALINE SAUCE:
  • 3 TB water
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 TB and 1 teaspoon corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 TB butter
  • Dash salt

Directions
  1. In a saucepan, heat 1.5 cups of milk until warm; set aside. 
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining milk, eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla. 
  3. Gradually add warmed milk, stirring constantly. 
  4. Stir in butter.
  5.  Add bread cubes; soak 10 minutes. 
  6. Add cinnamon, and raisins and/or pecans if desired. 
  7. Pour into a 9 x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. 
  8. Bake at 400 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. 
Meanwhile, for sauce, bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Add corn syrup. Bring to boil; cook 15-20 seconds. Remove from the heat; add remaining ingredients. Cut pudding into squares and serve with sauce.
My 3 year old had only 2 words to say after his 2nd helping. "MORE BREAD!!"
More traditional looking with custard on bottom. Recipe follows:
***The key to making a bread pudding with the custard on the bottom appears to be cooking it in a double boiler. If you cook it in a double boiler, the bread rises to the top, leaving a custard bottom.



 Preparation For this type:
*Use 1/2 cup light brown sugar vs. the smaller amount listed above and butter bread on both sides vs. adding butter to egg mixture*
 Put sugar in top of double boiler - cut bread into one
 inch cubes and put on top of sugar - mix eggs, milk, salt, vanilla.
 Pour over cubes (do not stir).  Add chopped dates, raisons or pecans on top.  Sprinkle
 all with a little sugar and cinnamon.  Cover tightly.  Cook over
 boiling water for 1 1/2 hours approximately - until firm, bread will
 rise to top leaving the sauce on the bottom.
**Additional sauce for topping is optional with this kind.**




    Why do I do this blog?

    Well, because I like easy to make, flavorful dishes with a moderate fat count, and a wide variety of them. This blog is the perfect place to bring together all of my favorites for easy access to pull up to use when it's time to make dinner.