Nothing fancy, just comforting.
This recipe is from Trev's Grandma who is a spunky, amazing cook even in her early 80's. His Grandma D. is the only lady her age I know that is as current on her Indiana sports as my husband. Trev's grandparents owned a restaurant most of their lives and are some of the most hardworking people I know. She brings this bread pudding dish to many family gatherings and it is so simple but a total comfort food. This recipe truly is simple yet delicious.
When I hear the phrase “When life gives you lemons….” I think if only, I would love that! Can you imagine getting a UPS package from life, free lemons shipped from a warm climate to snowy northern Indiana? Yes! Oh the things I could use fresh lemons for and how great they would smell. I feel like more often for me its “when life gives you the last half of a loaf of bread that will go bad soon if you don’t freeze it or eat it in the next two days. (Insert sarcastic MMMMMMmmmMMM) If you are buying or baking bread that is natural without preservatives like I do, you know the life span of that bread is really short. Insert Grandma D.’s no nonsense bread pudding, nothing fancy just comforting.
Recipe:
Half a loaf of bread, diced
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups milk
2 tbs vanilla
3 tbs cinnamon
Topping:
2 cups sugar
2 table spoons corn starch
2 cups water
This recipe makes one 9X9 dish.
Instructions:
Dice up the bread and place in glass 9" x 9" pan that is greased. In a separate bowl mix milk, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Pour this mixture over the bread and make sure it is soaked into the bread evenly. Sprinkle cinnamon over top and mix it into the bread, once again making sure it is evenly spread throughout. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown, I also check the middle with a knife, if it comes out clean it is done. Right before the bread pudding is done, start the topping. In a small sauce pan add all the ingredients of the topping and stir constantly on a medium heat. When the topping starts to set up to the consistency of frosting, it is ready to be poured on top. Enjoy!
For a variation try adding fruit to the mix. I have added apricots and cloves for a fun fall twist and it was a crowd favorite.
