Black and White Bread Pudding
Valentine’s Day has me thinking about love. Not just the romantic kind. Nor the love that binds family and friends. But my feelings in general, towards things and situations I adore.
As a newbie writer, I love this column. And I’m learning that each installment blatantly or inadvertently shares something about myself. Sometimes things I’ve never shared with another soul. And sometimes, more often than I’d like to admit, I repeat myself.
This month, in the spirit of Valentines everywhere, I’m pointedly sharing a few things I love. Many of these, others hate. Some are even abhorred. And that’s OK. This is me. You do you.
I’ve made no secret that I love sardines. And the burnt edges of whatever you’re cooking, especially if it involves cheese. I love the butt end of bread, and crusts for that matter. Oh, and I’ll always take the first slice of meatloaf.
I love driving in snow. Cold hikes. Gray landscapes. Nesting, flannel everything, bourbon! Even the doped-up feeling I get on Nyquil. Oh, and the weight of many blankets, even in summer AC.
I love the sore back I get stacking firewood. The firewood delivery is a red-letter day for me. It means the harvest is on, woolen sweaters are around the corner, and it’s time for casseroles.
I l-o-v-e woodburning fires. I grew up with a fireplace and it taught me respect for the process in a Boy Scout-ish way. Mom insisted we remove the ashes after every burn. I remember the clunky dustpan and the tricky dance of loading a paper Acme bag.
I love holiday and seasonal napkins. Frankly, they’re an addiction.
I love the fumes of a bus that’s idling diesel fuel. This is a throwback to my days touring with a drum and bugle corps. IYKYK.
I love the sound and smell of steam radiators. There may have been frost on our childhood windows, but we never went without heat. My Dad grew up cold and vowed he’d never be so again. He shared a bed with three siblings, their only heat rising through grates in the floors.
Even our water was scalding. So hot, Dad would make instant coffee from the tap. I know—ick.
I could go on and on. But you get the idea. I love all the seasons, including winter. Speaking of which, here’s a warming dessert...my Black and White Bread Pudding. It’s gooey and decadent. Perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Let’s get started, shall we?
STEPS
1. In a large bowl, beat 4 large eggs. Lightly mix in the following:
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups half-n-half
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 Tbl vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1.5 cups white chocolate morsels
• 1.5 cups dark chocolate morsels
• 12 to 16 oz loaf of French bread, cubed into ½” pieces
2. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13” pan and let it stand 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°.
3. Bake the pudding for about 40 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Let cool at least 10 minutes.
4. Mix the following in a small saucepan: ½ cup butter, ½ cup light brown sugar, and 1 cup heavy cream. Bring to a boil for one minute. Remove from the heat and stir in ¼ cup coffee liqueur.
5. Serve a portion of the warm pudding with some sauce over top. For even more indulgence, add a small dollop of whipped cream.
TIPS
- You can certainly skip the sauce, but you’ll be missing out on a big part of what makes this recipe so special.
- I lean towards the lesser amount of bread cubes. I’ve even used the 12 oz bag of Martin’s Potato Bread Cubes with great results.
- After assembly, you can cover the pudding and store it in the ‘fridge overnight. Allow it to come back to room temperature before baking. ▼
Ed and his husband Jerry split their time between homes near Harrisburg Pennsylvania and Bethany Beach. Ed builds websites to pay the bills but loves to cook, garden, hike, and dote on their dog Atticus.Recipe requests and feedback welcome:ed@seasalttable.com.