What a busy holiday weekend we had, including a wedding and a birthday party. With all the advance preparations, it was a whirlwind of activity for several days. Everything worked out beautifully and the weather couldn't have been more perfect--cloudless bright blue skies, low humidity, moderate temperatures.
For one of our desserts, though not for the wedding or birthday party, I made a bread pudding which is always popular in my family. I like making bread pudding because it utilizes leftover bread which I always seem to have on hand.
Ordinarily, I would have used raisins, which would have been more authentic, in this New Orleans style bread pudding, but I had at least one family member coming for dinner who does not enjoy raisins. So I used dark chocolate chips instead! And who doesn't like chocolate?
New Orleans Bread Pudding
1 loaf stale French bread
2 cups milk
1 cup raisins or chocolate chips
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 - 1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
Tear the bread into small pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Cover with the milk and let it soak for 20 minutes. Mash the bread to a consistent texture with no chunks. Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Pour into a buttered 9 inch square baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven, until browned on top and set in the center.
Cut into squares and serve with whipped cream.
You had me at Bread Pudding! This is one of my all-time favorite desserts that I don't nearly make often enough. Looks delicious and I love the addition of the chocolate chips :o)
ReplyDeleteMmmmm bread pudding. Love it! Funny as a kid I never thought of it as a way to get rid of bread, yet that is a frequent reference to bread pudding. It IS a good use of bread, but it seems much better than that.
ReplyDeleteHm, I have to say I think the chips would be better than raisins. Heh. Looks great!
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ReplyDeleteNo excuse ever needed to use more chocolate in recipes! I am sure your bread pudding tasted richer and was more satisfying thanks to the chocolate.
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