Eggnog & Raisin Bread Pudding
I had most of a loaf of Aviv‘s crusty raisin bread left over in a paper bag on the counter – I know, evidence of how much bakery and party food has been passing my face lately – and I wasn’t about to compost it. I was going to do eggnog French toast but didn’t have time to stand at the stove and monitor it, so I made bread pudding. It’s like French toast casserole.
I need to keep this brief, but want to tell y’all about a new arrival – Swerve magazine now has an online home. It’s at SwerveCalgary.com. They’ve given Pierre and I access to a really cool vegetarian foodie videographer to take out into the world and document food stuff with. So far I’ve made an amazing beef stew with my friend’s Trinidadian mom. Pierre shows us how to cut an onion (Mike actually watched this and now follows his lead exactly) and will soon show how to access the innards of a winter squash. There will be more.
Meanwhile, here’s some bread pudding to keep warm with – it’s not very custardy – more bready and French toast-y. You’ll want to start with good bread at least a day or two old.
Eggnog Bread Pudding
1 loaf good-quality crusty bread, or an assortment of bread ends
4 large eggs
1/4 cup honey, brown sugar or maple syrup (or to taste)
3 cups egg nog, or a combination of milk and nog
2 tsp. vanilla
a shake of cinnamon (optional)
freshly grated nutmegCut or tear the bread into 1” chunks in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, honey, eggnog and vanilla. Pour over the bread and let sit for an hour or two, stirring gently once in awhile. All the liquid should be well absorbed, but the bread shouldn’t turn to mush (thus the good-quality crusty loaf).
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Pour the bread mixture into a baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray, or any baking dish that will accommodate the quantity you made. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Bake for 45 minutes, until puffed, golden and set. Serve warm or at room temperature.
December 10 2010 06:07 pm | bread and breakfast
Merry120 on 10 Dec 2010 at 9:24 pm #
You MUST have a lot of treats kicking around if you let Aviv’s bread languish. His bread is the BEST! I will have to try this recipe soon.
Kathryn on 10 Dec 2010 at 9:36 pm #
Well. Turns out I have no clue how to cut an onion.
Hungry Girl on 11 Dec 2010 at 7:12 am #
I’ve always wanted to make bread pudding but feared it would be too rich. However your recipe takes it into a whole different level of Christmas decadence. Perhaps I will foist it en famille.
Janice on 11 Dec 2010 at 9:50 am #
I love bread pudding. What genius to make it with raisen bread and egg nog. Addition of chocolate and it would be truely heaven. Glad Swerve has its own website.
Erica B. on 11 Dec 2010 at 10:27 am #
I’m with Merry – shocked you had leftover bread
What a fantastic idea – this may be a Christmas Morning dish this year – because really it isn’t a lot different from french toast. I can see using Noel Nog from So Nice for this. Now if I could only get Aviv’s bread up here!
I look forward to Swerve in Friday’s paper so I’m glad to see they finally have their own site. Sounds like a fun project
anadrol@hotmail.com on 11 Dec 2010 at 10:43 am #
Love your pictures. Thanks for the recipes, I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Cheryl on 11 Dec 2010 at 3:05 pm #
Yum! And I’m totally in on the pyrohy making for you.
ajdoula on 11 Dec 2010 at 5:01 pm #
I watched Pierre’s video, tried it out, and voilà! It really works! Love learning new kitchen tricks.
Liana @ femme fraiche on 12 Dec 2010 at 7:02 am #
Egg nog bread pudding? This is genious! And so simple…lovely!
LisaMer on 12 Dec 2010 at 9:21 am #
I made egg nog baked french toast for brunch today (along with a little cranberry apple compote and the Christmas morning wife saver)! I modified one of Elise’s recipes. Quite like yours, but in a 9×13 pan, so a bit less pudding-y! Yummo!
Nisrine | Dinners & Dreams on 12 Dec 2010 at 6:44 pm #
Yu,. eggnog! I haven’t had any yet this year. I love bread pudding and like the idea of eggnon in it.
Stay-At-Home-Chef on 15 Dec 2010 at 5:55 pm #
Love anything and everything made with eggnog…this looks delicious!
Marilyn King on 12 Apr 2011 at 11:45 am #
Hi Julie Hanna and Jason and the kids had a wonderful time visiting you in Tofino. They miss there neighbor. I kind of miss my trips to Calgary as well. I am off to meet them in Kelownna for Easter. I sure love your web site Marilyn King