British · Dessert
Bread and Butter Pudding
Bread and Butter Pudding is a comforting classic made with layers of buttery bread, sultanas, and cinnamon, soaked in rich custard and baked until golden. This traditional dessert is perfect for cozy gatherings and offers a deliciously warm treat.
The Method
Instructions
First things first, grab a 1 litre or 2 pint pie dish and give it a good coat of butter all over the inside. This will help the pudding from sticking and also add a lovely rich flavor, so don't be shy with the butter here.
Now, take your bread and carefully cut off the crusts. This step makes the pudding nice and soft all the way through. Once your slices are ready, spread a generous layer of butter on one side of each slice. This butter layer is going to add such a wonderful richness and moisture to each bite. After that, cut each buttered slice into triangles , it's a fun shape that fits nicely into the dish and creates a pretty layered effect.
Start assembling your pudding by arranging a layer of the buttered bread triangles, buttered side facing up, in the bottom of your prepared dish. Don't overcrowd them but try to fit them snugly. Next, sprinkle a handful of sultanas over the bread. These will add bursts of sweetness and a lovely chewy texture. Then, dust a light sprinkle of cinnamon over the sultanas for a warm, comforting spice note. Repeat the layering process: bread, sultanas, and cinnamon, building up until you've used all your bread triangles. Make sure the last layer is bread on its own, then set the dish aside for the next step.
Time to make that silky custard! Pour your milk and double cream into a saucepan and gently warm it over a low heat. You want it to reach just scalding point, which means it's steaming and tiny bubbles start to appear around the edge, but it definitely should not boil. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to stop any skin from forming on top.
While the milk and cream are warming, crack the eggs into a mixing bowl. Add in about three quarters of the sugar and give it a light whisk. You're just looking for the mixture to become pale and slightly frothy , this helps create a smooth custard that sets nicely.
Once your milk and cream are warm, slowly pour them into the egg mixture while stirring constantly. This gradual mixing helps the eggs warm up without scrambling, keeping everything silky smooth. After combining, strain the custard through a fine sieve into another bowl. This little extra step makes sure any bits of cooked egg are caught, leaving you with the creamiest custard possible.
Pour the custard evenly over your layered bread and sultanas. Sprinkle a pinch of fresh nutmeg and the rest of the sugar over the top. The nutmeg adds a subtle, fragrant warmth, while the sugar helps create a lovely golden crust as it bakes. Let the pudding sit and soak up the custard for about 30 minutes. This resting time allows the bread to absorb all those delicious flavors and become wonderfully soft.
While it's soaking, preheat your oven to 180C/355F/Gas 4 . Once it's ready, pop your dish in the oven and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. You'll know it's done when the custard has just set , it should jiggle slightly but not be liquidy , and the top is beautifully golden brown and inviting. The smell coming from the oven will be amazing, and you'll probably be tempted to dive right in!
Now, take your bread and carefully cut off the crusts. This step makes the pudding nice and soft all the way through. Once your slices are ready, spread a generous layer of butter on one side of each slice. This butter layer is going to add such a wonderful richness and moisture to each bite. After that, cut each buttered slice into triangles , it's a fun shape that fits nicely into the dish and creates a pretty layered effect.
Start assembling your pudding by arranging a layer of the buttered bread triangles, buttered side facing up, in the bottom of your prepared dish. Don't overcrowd them but try to fit them snugly. Next, sprinkle a handful of sultanas over the bread. These will add bursts of sweetness and a lovely chewy texture. Then, dust a light sprinkle of cinnamon over the sultanas for a warm, comforting spice note. Repeat the layering process: bread, sultanas, and cinnamon, building up until you've used all your bread triangles. Make sure the last layer is bread on its own, then set the dish aside for the next step.
Time to make that silky custard! Pour your milk and double cream into a saucepan and gently warm it over a low heat. You want it to reach just scalding point, which means it's steaming and tiny bubbles start to appear around the edge, but it definitely should not boil. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to stop any skin from forming on top.
While the milk and cream are warming, crack the eggs into a mixing bowl. Add in about three quarters of the sugar and give it a light whisk. You're just looking for the mixture to become pale and slightly frothy , this helps create a smooth custard that sets nicely.
Once your milk and cream are warm, slowly pour them into the egg mixture while stirring constantly. This gradual mixing helps the eggs warm up without scrambling, keeping everything silky smooth. After combining, strain the custard through a fine sieve into another bowl. This little extra step makes sure any bits of cooked egg are caught, leaving you with the creamiest custard possible.
Pour the custard evenly over your layered bread and sultanas. Sprinkle a pinch of fresh nutmeg and the rest of the sugar over the top. The nutmeg adds a subtle, fragrant warmth, while the sugar helps create a lovely golden crust as it bakes. Let the pudding sit and soak up the custard for about 30 minutes. This resting time allows the bread to absorb all those delicious flavors and become wonderfully soft.
While it's soaking, preheat your oven to 180C/355F/Gas 4 . Once it's ready, pop your dish in the oven and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. You'll know it's done when the custard has just set , it should jiggle slightly but not be liquidy , and the top is beautifully golden brown and inviting. The smell coming from the oven will be amazing, and you'll probably be tempted to dive right in!
Pairs Well With
