Xmas Bread Pudding-Revised
Description
This elegant Christmas bread pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert, featuring a custard-soaked whole wheat base studded with plump raisins and bright candied cherries. Slow-cooked in a crockpot to ensure even, gentle heating, the pudding develops a tender, moist texture with deep, warm flavors from cream sherry and vanilla. The accompanying sherry sauce adds a luxurious, creamy finish that balances the sweetness of the fruit. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter evenings, this dish offers a sophisticated twist on traditional bread pudding that feels both homemade and festive.Directions
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Remove crusts from the bread slices and set aside for another use.
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Cover the bread slices with paper towels and let them stand overnight to dry slightly.
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In a heavy medium saucepan, combine 3 egg yolks, light cream, sugar, and salt.
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Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
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Immediately remove the pan from heat and place it in a sink filled with ice water to cool quickly.
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Stir the custard mixture for 2 minutes while cooling to prevent skin formation.
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Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
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Cover the surface of the custard directly with plastic wrap and set aside.
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In a small bowl, combine the light and dark raisins.
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In a separate small bowl, place the halved candied cherries.
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Pour 2/3 cup of warm sherry over the raisins and the remaining sherry over the cherries; let soak briefly.
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Cut the dried bread into cubes (yielding about 9 cups) and fold into the custard mixture until fully coated.
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Grease a 6 1/2-cup tower mold (without a tube) or a suitable casserole dish.
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Drain the raisins and cherries, reserving the soaking sherry.
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Arrange 1/4 of the cherries in the bottom of the mold and sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the soaked raisins.
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Add 1/4 of the bread mixture on top and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the reserved sherry.
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Repeat the layering process three more times, arranging cherries and raisins near the edges of the mold for visual appeal.
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Lightly press down the final layer with the back of a spoon.
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Pour the remaining reserved sherry evenly over the top.
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Cover the mold tightly with foil.
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Place the mold into a 3 1/2 or 4-quart crockpot fitted with a liner.
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Pour 1 cup of water into the crockpot around the mold to create a water bath.
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Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for about 5 1/2 hours, or on high for 3 hours, until the pudding springs back when touched.
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Remove the mold from the crockpot and let it stand for 10 minutes before unmolding.
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Carefully unmold the pudding onto a serving platter.
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To make the sherry sauce, combine 2 egg yolks, powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons sherry, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a mixing bowl.
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In a separate small bowl, beat the whipping cream until soft peaks form.
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Gently fold the whipped cream into the egg yolk mixture until combined.
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Cover the sauce and chill until serving time.
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Serve the warm bread pudding topped with the chilled sherry sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 1457.3kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 56.2g87%
- Saturated Fat 31.1g156%
- Cholesterol 148.5mg50%
- Sodium 986.2mg42%
- Total Carbohydrate 217.1g73%
- Dietary Fiber 9.0g36%
- Sugars 113.9g
- Protein 25.6g52%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.