Last month we had a "Battle of the Bread Puddings." I have two family recipes one classic and one Italian. I had never made either before, heck I'd never made or even tried bread pudding before. Crazy, I know. I've heard over and over how delicious and comforting bread pudding is, but it just never sounded appealing to me. Really? Soggy bread? But, I had these two family recipes and when a recipe is carefully passed down, it has to be good right? So enlisting the help of my husband and three year old son we went about the excruciating task of taste testing these.
I made the classic bread pudding first. I gathered the ingredients and followed the recipe carefully, even making sure the bread cubes were just the right dryness. It was surprisingly easy! Out of the oven it smelled amazing I could barely wait for it to cool slightly. I dished it out, quickly snapped my picture for this hub, then drizzled it with caramel sauce.... mmmm amazing ^_^ Both my husband and I were over the moon about this new yet old dessert. I felt like kicking myself for not making it sooner. My son? He cleaned his plate.
Right after making the classic version I came up with my own variation. Sweet Wheat Chocolate Bread Pudding. Unfortunately I didn't have the ingredients on hand so it would have to wait until after the Italian version.
The Italian bread pudding is very different in ingredients and preparation. It has a layer of apples on the bottom and plenty of orange zest. Both give this version a much fresher, lighter taste. Bump up the spices a little and it's like an interesting version of apple pie. My husband's not one for fruity desserts but still enjoyed it. I love fruity desserts and enjoyed this version very much. My son... said he liked it, but didn't want to finish.
Final surprise contestant: Sweet Wheat Chocolate Bread Pudding. This one smelled amazing! It looks much richer than it really is. The chocolate isn't overpowering and it was just sweet enough to make you forget your eating healthy whole grain bread. Drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with pecans made this version a true contender! We all loved it and my son wanted seconds.
Look through the recipes yourself and find our results at the end of this hub.
Make sure your bread cubes are dry! You can either leave them in a paper bag on the counter for a couple days, or bake them on a cookie sheet in a 300'F oven for 10-15 minutes stirring once or twice.
Fully cooked and ready to serve!
Preheat oven to 350'F. Lightly grease a 1 1/2-2 qt casserole pan.
In a medium to large bowl combine the bread cubes with the raisins, set aside.
In a medium bowl beat the eggs then add the remaining ingredients.
Pour the milk-egg mixture over the bread cubes and stir just until combined.
Pour into prepared pan and bake in a 350'F oven for 55 minutes, or until it's puffed up slightly and a knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
Serve warm plain, or topped with caramel or butterscotch sauce.
Orange zest contains a unique flavonoid called hesperidin. Not only does hesperidin lower cholesterol it is a natural anti-inflammitroy which has shown some promise in fighting certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer.
Before squeezing out the orange juice remember to remove your zest first!
Lightly grease a 2 quart casserole pan.
Peel, core and thinly slice the apples, arrange into prepared pan.
Sprinkle apples with 2 tablespoons of the sugar and then drizzle the with the fresh orange juice.
Thinly slice the bread and remove the crusts.
Arrange in pan and press down to slightly compact. Only put as many slices as will fit in the pan, they should just reach the top.
In a medium bowl beat the eggs then combine with the milk, remaining sugar, zest and cinnamon.
Once the bread has sat for 30 minutes bake in a 350'F oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown and set.
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids. These work to repair damage done to your cells while protecting them from further damage and the buildup of bad cholesterol.
Before adding the milk mixture.
Fully cooked and smells sooo good!
In a medium to large bowl combine the bread cubes with the chocolate chips, set aside.
Serve warm plain, or topped with caramel sauce and chopped nuts or more hershey's syrup.
Did you enjoy this fierce competition? Want more? Check out this bloodthirsty hub by Vespawoolf!
While we thoroughly enjoyed all three recipes and would make them all again there has to be a winner. My husband and I both ranked these 1-3 and ranked them for our son based on how he seemed to like them. First place spots receive 3 points, second place 2 points and 3rd place 1 point.
Which bread pudding would win in your house?
Thank you Raincitygirl ^_^ I hope you enjoy!
Suzie, Thank you so much for your wonderful support ^_^ The traditional bread pudding is just as good without the raisins if your partner doesn't like them. Enjoy cooking and eating these ^_^ thanks again!
Yum! I think I will have to give the sweet wheat bread pudding a try!
great recipes! I look forward to using one on Christmas Day; it is our family tradition. My personal favourite is Lokshen Pudding, which is made similairly but with vermicelli as opposed to bread. Great Hub, voted Up.
I save stale bread and when I have enough, I make bread pudding. I love it warm out of the oven best. I've only made the classic but the other two sound good, too. I do like to add some raisins in mine.
Great recipes, I voted this UP and shared.
I absolutely love bread puddings. I did not know these many variations. Pinned!
Shelley, Thank you so much for your wonderful comment and votes! I'm so glad you like the classic... I'm planning on making that one again soon as well.
Kawaljit, Thank you for your lovely comment ^_^ I hope you get to make then and enjoy! They are a great comfort food and wonderful during the winter.
My husband loves bread pudding and I make it for him. I do not like it so never eat it. When my aunt makes her bread pudding she always uses what ever bread, rolls or buns she had left over. According to my husband she makes the best bread pudding. Enjoyed reading your hub. Pinned.
Glimmer, Thank you so much for your comment and share! These are excellent cold weather desserts ^_^ so comforting.
It's starting to get cool here so these look even more appealing than they did before. Yumm. Shared.
Boy oh boy, Mama Kim, this is so tempting! Gonna have to try it! :) Great job! Voted up and more!
LL Woodard, Thank you so much, I love foods that call upon warm childhood memories ^_^ Your comment, vote and share are all greatly appreciated!!
I love bread pudding. It's one of my favorite desserts, so having your three recipes to choose from is a real treat! I thought carefully about the recipes, and my favorite is ..... all of them!! I'm going to share this hub.
I enjoyed bread pudding as a child and have been looking for just the "right" recipe to make it myself. Thanks to this hub, my search is over.
Deborah, Thank you so much ^_^ The Italian version is especially good for summertime I think. Thank you so much for your very generous comment/vote/share, they are greatly appreciated!
Kaikai, I'm so happy you think so, thanks for stopping by.
They all sound and look good to me. Thanks for the comparison but I think I will want to try all of them. You did a great job on this hub and have lots of mouths watering.
Thank you girishpuri, This is a pretty easy recipe, you should give it a try ^_^ thank you for your nice comment.
I am great fan of bread puddings, i am not a great cook, but i can feel the flavor of your hub, interesting hub.
Newusedcarssacram, I'm so happy I can offer you a new food to try ^_^ thank you for your comment.
You gave something new to try...thanks!
Mvillecat, Thank you so much for your generous comment ^_^ The chocolate one was very yummy. It was even better reheated the next day!
I love bread pudding and I will be making the chocolate one for sure. I voted up and tweeted and pinned.
Now Kim, you and Janine always make me hungry!! You know I'm pinning!! Bread pudding is classic comfort food, but it's hard to get it over here. Thanks for giving me something great to share this morning!
I have never tasted bread pudding; heard a lot about it but so far, nada! Thanks for the education; if I ever get the chance I will for sure try it.
Janine ^_^ The chocolate one was very yummy. I have to say though it was even better the day after, reheated. Thank you so much for your comment/vote/pin/share! You're too kind.
MamaKim, I loved all of these three recipes, but of course the chocolate got me on the last one and when I do try to make it will be that one first, because I can not ever pass up or say no to chocolate!! Seriously, thank you for this one and have pinned, voted and shared too!!
Oh my!! I definitely have to try these. All of them are intriguing, but since the classic won I think we'll have to start with that one. I felt the same way as you about bread pudding. Soggy bread? But now I'm inspired to try your recipes. Besides, we often have leftover bread. Your photos are gorgeous! That alone sold me. Thank you for giving me a whole capsule in honor of the Dumpling Throw Down! I'm speechless. : ) Voted up all the way across and shared. BTW...I didn't know orange zest is so healthy!