Christmas Bread Pudding

Christmas Bread Pudding Recipe from USA with Raisins, Cherries, and Sherry

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 5.5 hours (low heat) or 3 hours (high heat) | Servings: 6-8

Introduction

Christmas Bread Pudding is a delicious and festive dessert that is perfect for the holiday season. This rich and decadent pudding is made with a combination of whole wheat and white bread, soaked in a creamy custard and studded with raisins and cherries. It is then topped with a luscious sherry sauce that adds a touch of elegance to this classic dessert.

History

Bread pudding has been a popular dessert for centuries, with variations of the dish appearing in different cultures around the world. The Christmas Bread Pudding recipe is a festive twist on the traditional bread pudding, with the addition of sherry-soaked raisins and cherries that give it a holiday flair. This recipe is perfect for serving at Christmas gatherings and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Ingredients

9 slices of whole wheat bread
8 slices of white bread
3 beaten egg yolks
1.5 cups of light cream
0.33 cup of sugar
1 dash of salt
1.5 tsp of vanilla
0.67 cup of light raisins
0.67 cup of dark raisins
0.33 cup of halved candied red cherries
0.75 cup of cream sherry
1 cup of water
2 beaten egg yolks
0.25 cup of sifted powdered sugar
2 tbsp of cream sherry
0.25 tsp of vanilla
0.5 cup of whipping cream

How to prepare

Remove the crusts from the bread and set them aside for another use.
Cover the bread slices with paper towels and let them stand overnight.
For the custard, combine 3 egg yolks, light cream, sugar, and salt in a heavy medium saucepan.
Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat.
Continue cooking until the mixture coats a metal spoon.
Remove the saucepan from heat and cool it immediately by placing it in a sink of ice water and stirring for 1 – 2 minutes.
Stir in 1.5 tsp of vanilla.
Cover the surface with clear plastic wrap.
In a small bowl, combine the raisins.
Place the cherries in another bowl.
Heat 0.75 cup of sherry until warm.
Pour 0.67 cup of sherry over the raisins and pour the remaining sherry over the cherries.
Set them aside.
Cut the bread into 0.5 inch cubes (should have about 9 cups).
In a bowl, fold the bread into the custard until coated.
Grease a 6.5 cup tower mold (without a tube).
Drain the raisins and cherries, reserving the sherry.
Arrange one-fourth of the cherries in the bottom of the mold and sprinkle 0.33 cup of raisins into the mold.
Add one-fourth of the bread-cube mixture.
Sprinkle with 2 tbsp of the reserved sherry.
Repeat the layers three times, arranging the cherries and raisins near the edges of the mold.
Lightly press the last layer with the back of a spoon.
Pour the remaining reserved sherry over all.
Cover the mold tightly with foil.
Set the mold into a 4 qt (3.78 liter) crockery cooker with the liner in place.
Pour 1 cup of water into the cooker around the mold.
Cover and cook on low heat setting for about 5.5 hours or on high-heat setting for about 3 hours, or until the pudding springs back when touched.
Meanwhile, for the sherry sauce, combine 2 egg yolks, powdered sugar, 2 tbsp of sherry, and 0.25 tsp of vanilla in a mixing bowl.
In a small mixing bowl, beat the whipping cream with a rotary beater until soft peaks form.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the egg-yolk mixture.
Cover and chill until serving time.
Remove the mold from the cooker and let it stand for 10 minutes.
Carefully unmold the pudding onto a serving platter.
Serve warm with the sherry sauce.
Alternatively, remove the pudding from the mold, cover, and chill.
To serve, return the pudding to the same mold.
Cover it with foil and place it in the cooker, then pour 1 cup of water around the mold.
Cover and cook on high-heat setting for 1.5 – 2 hours or until warm.
Let it stand for 10 minutes, then unmold and serve with the sauce.
For a 5- or 6 qt crockery cooker, use 1.5 cups of water to pour around the mold.
Leave the remaining ingredient amounts the same.

Variations

For a boozy twist, you can soak the raisins and cherries in rum or brandy instead of sherry.
Add a handful of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, for added crunch and flavor.
Swap out the raisins and cherries for dried cranberries or apricots for a different flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to let the bread slices stand overnight to allow them to dry out slightly, which will help them absorb the custard mixture better.

- When making the custard, be sure to cook it until it coats the back of a metal spoon to ensure that it is thick enough to coat the bread cubes.

- When layering the bread cubes and fruit in the mold, be sure to press down lightly with the back of a spoon to compact the layers and prevent any air pockets.

- When unmolding the pudding, be sure to let it stand for 10 minutes to allow it to set before carefully turning it out onto a serving platter.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Christmas Bread Pudding warm with a dollop of sherry sauce on top for a festive touch. You can also garnish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dusting of cinnamon for added flavor.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making a successful Christmas Bread Pudding is to ensure that the custard is cooked until thick and creamy, and that the bread cubes are evenly coated. Be sure to layer the bread and fruit in the mold carefully to create a beautiful presentation.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have sherry on hand, you can substitute with rum, brandy, or orange juice for a different flavor profile. You can also use any combination of bread that you have on hand, such as brioche, challah, or cinnamon swirl bread.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the Christmas Bread Pudding ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight before baking. Simply cover the mold tightly with foil and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Presentation Ideas

To make the Christmas Bread Pudding even more festive, you can garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar. Serve on a decorative platter or cake stand for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

This rich and decadent Christmas Bread Pudding pairs well with a cup of hot coffee or tea for a cozy and comforting dessert. You can also serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Christmas Bread Pudding can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

320

Carbohydrates

- Total Carbohydrates: 45g

- Dietary Fiber: 2g

- Sugars: 24g

Fats

- Total Fat: 12g

- Saturated Fat: 6g

- Trans Fat: 0g

Proteins

- Protein: 6g

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin D: 1.5mcg

- Calcium: 120mg

- Iron: 1.5mg

- Potassium: 200mg

Alergens

Contains: Wheat, Eggs, Milk

Summary

This Christmas Bread Pudding is a rich and indulgent dessert that is high in carbohydrates and fats, making it a decadent treat for the holiday season. It is also a good source of protein and contains essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Christmas Bread Pudding is a delicious and festive dessert that is perfect for the holiday season. This rich and indulgent pudding is made with a combination of whole wheat and white bread, soaked in a creamy custard and studded with raisins and cherries. Serve warm with a luscious sherry sauce for a decadent treat that is sure to impress your family and friends.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time is a special one. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the art of cooking from my own grandmother. I remember it like it was yesterday - the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg filling the air, the warmth of the oven as it baked to perfection, and the joy on my grandmother's face as she shared her secret recipe for Christmas Bread Pudding with me.

I had always been fascinated by my grandmother's cooking. She had a way of making even the simplest ingredients come alive in the most delicious ways. Her kitchen was always filled with the sounds of sizzling pans and bubbling pots, and I loved nothing more than to sit at her side and watch her work her magic.

One day, as Christmas drew near, I asked my grandmother if she would teach me how to make her famous Christmas Bread Pudding. She smiled, a twinkle in her eye, and told me that it was a special recipe handed down through generations of our family. She explained that it was a tradition to make it every year during the holidays, and that she was thrilled to pass it on to me.

We spent the entire day in the kitchen, gathering the ingredients and preparing the pudding. My grandmother showed me how to mix the bread with eggs, milk, and sugar, and how to sprinkle in just the right amount of cinnamon and nutmeg for that perfect holiday flavor. As we worked, she shared stories of her own grandmother, who had taught her the recipe when she was just a girl like me.

The pudding baked in the oven, filling the kitchen with its sweet, spicy aroma. When it was finally done, my grandmother cut us each a slice and we sat down to enjoy it together. The warm, comforting taste of the pudding was like nothing I had ever experienced before. It was rich and creamy, with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. I knew right then that this recipe would become a cherished part of my own holiday traditions.

Over the years, I have made my grandmother's Christmas Bread Pudding many times. Each time, I think of her and the special day we spent together in the kitchen, creating something beautiful and delicious. I have shared the recipe with my own children and grandchildren, passing down the tradition just as my grandmother did for me.

As I make the pudding this year, I can't help but feel grateful for the gift of cooking that my grandmother gave me. It is a gift that has brought me so much joy and satisfaction over the years, and one that I will always treasure. The memory of finding this recipe for the first time will forever hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of the love and traditions that bind us together as a family. And as I take a bite of that warm, comforting pudding, I know that my grandmother's spirit lives on in every delicious bite.