Bread pudding is one of those nostalgic bakes that is a cross between a pudding and a cake and one that takes me right back to my childhood. It is something my Mum made regularly and yet I've never made it before. But we were talking about it at the weekend and I suddenly had an urge to make some... probably something to do with the need to fill up my contantly hungry sons.
Despite rummaging through all my scraps of paper and recipe books I couldn't find Mum's recipe anywhere so I had to resort to some research on the internet, took what seemed to be the best elements from several recipes and this was my version which wasn't too bad... although I will get Mum to give me her recipe again so I can do a comparison!
In a large bowl tear up 400g of white bread (I used the crusts as well but you can remove them if you like) and add 600ml milk and allow to soak for 10 mins. Using your hands or a wooden spoon, mash it all up to combine. Stir in 450g dried fruit (I used raisins and currants) and 100g sugar. Then add 50g Self Raising flour and one & a half tbsp of mixed spice. Finally add 2 beaten eggs and 100ml of melted butter. Pour into a rectangular or square baking tin approx 20cm x 25 cm and bake for one and a half hours at 150 deg C. Turn up the heat to 180 and cook for another 10 mins or so until pudding browns. Excellent warm with custard or eaten cold.
It's the sort of pudding that makes you feel you should be doing a long hike or a strenuous bike ride but after a miserable grey day like today when the damp fog hasn't really lifted and the lights have been on all day indoors I think it's a perfectly acceptable pudding for when sitting on your backside in front of a sewing machine all day... don't you?
You've made my mouth water Gina, always a favourite. My mum used to make it with suet! We seemed to eat a lot of suet puddings as children. I always remember when my little my sister saw my mum making bread pudding, she was so disgusted by the sight of all that mushed up bread that she refused to eat it - for a while anyway.
ReplyDeleteAlways did mine with the suet also yummmmm
DeleteI have just made one, just like my Mum used to do with suet, and lots of mixed spice. It smells wonderful.
DeleteAnother suet Mum as well. So I followed the tradition and also use suet. Mouth watering now. Have to make some ASAP.
DeleteSuet .. the only way .. Milk as well
DeleteAbsolutely!! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet the smell of mixed spice wafting around your home was wonderful too!
Vivienne x
My Nan used to make it all the time. She showed me and I do make it occasionally, no recipe. As Jill says it was made with suet, she didn't use milk either she used water to soak the bread and thats the way I do it still, she also used her hands to mix it and it was the feel of the mixture that decided how much flour to add. It is a great comfort food and just what you need in this weather, ideal for your hungry lads!
ReplyDeleteGina, I have a recipe for bread pudding that is made in the crockpot. I haven't tried it. Will have to give it a go. Maybe fit it in next week. Yours looks lovely. Now I am hungry. Lol.
ReplyDeleteWill you believe me when. Say i Have never had bread pudding? Bread and butter pudding in many guises, certainly. Hmmm. Mighty have to remedy that.
ReplyDeleteMy, but it's been grey hasn't it? Today I shall be "ribbing" a farmer and reminding him that last week he was telling me it was to be an Indian summer this week! Bread pudding is just the stuff for this sort of dank, grey weather.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I think most cake is suitable for arse-sitting days, but this looks particularly good. My husband likes bread pudding, linking it to childhood holidays in Wales so perhaps I should treat him. xxx
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more Gina. In our family (Gran/Mum/Me) we couldn't stand the thought of wasting leftover bread so bread pudding was our answer.Even now when our girls take a piece to work for lunchtime,work colleagues always say ,ooh bread pudding can your mum make a bit extra for us. It reminds them of their childhood.It would be in my top 10 of comfort foods this time of year.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so succulent and gorgeous - I can feel my waistline thickening and hips burgeoning at the thought of it! The ultimate comfort food.
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious! I love the smell of mixed spice and with all the dried fruit it always reminds me of Christmas whenever I make it!
ReplyDeleteI don't recall my Ma ever making it for us, or bread and butter pudding either. I have made my own D and B though, it always seems easier to eat than Bread Pud.
ReplyDeleteGosh, this is a blast from the past! . I used to love it!
ReplyDeleteThat comment lost it's middle! I'd said my Mum and my Grandma used to make it, but with lard!
ReplyDeleteOoooh my Nan made the best bread
ReplyDeletepud ever but the recipe was never written down, booo hooo.
My nan used to make it ..I miss her so much and this just took me back 50 odd years xxx
DeleteIt seems to be a nostalgic recipe for so many people.
DeleteBelieve it or not I have an old and trusted recipe for bread pudding which turns out perfect every time. It's so easy to make and tastes very yummy.
ReplyDeleteOoh, now that looks good. We were just wondering what sort of cake to make this weekend, and now we know! And as for sitting on your backside sewing all day, it's hard work and you need sustenance!
ReplyDeleteMy nan and my Mum both made bread pudding to the same recipe and I have it written down by Mum somewhere. She used to make it in a huge tin and the slices she gave you were enormous.They used to defeat me but my brother and my husband polished it off every time. I shall not show my boy these photos just in case he gets ideas!
ReplyDeleteOooh I love bread pudding Gina but have never made it myself before which is something I need to rectify immediately - thanks for sharing the recipe!
ReplyDeleteHello Gina
ReplyDeleteI have just made this absolutely amazing pudding. Just one question? Did you use a fan forced oven or was it just a normal oven? I think this pudding will now bwcome my new Christmas pudding.
Good thing is my son is a baker so bread is always at hand.
Hugs Elizabeth xxx
My Gran and my mum, used water to soak, used lard for the fat, no egg and no flour. I reduce the amount of lard and grate in an apple.
ReplyDeleteI first tasted Bread Pudding at a Hotel in San Francisco. It was served with Bourbon Sauce and I was blown away by the taste.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a bread pudding without suit
ReplyDeletePatchwork doll
ReplyDeleteMy Nanny Chappell didn't have a recipe just showed me (also followed Mum now 97) I'm 73 made it quite regularly early on in life, bit stail now the birds have flown the nest, but keep saving the bread ends (dry them out completely in a warm oven when cooking is done and keep in airtight bag, use vegi suet, lots of fruit no eggs and soak in water in water, using hands to squeeze out water and mix with fruit, spices (what ever you have to hand) then bake. Am trying this one after a few years absence, fingers crossed. Couldn't find recipe on Jamie Oliver or any others they kept coming up with bread & butter pudding, which is also delicious and quick and easy in micro.
Im giving this one a go today, fingers crossed, ive never made one before, this is hubbys request
ReplyDeleteLooks just like mums,sadly never wrote her recipe down so going to try yours the only thing I can remember she spread a beaten egg over the top and sprinkled with sugar yum.
ReplyDeleteBrings back manh memories I live bread pudding!! If you put fondant on it its called a Chester cake
ReplyDeleteHa! Never have I had this so nothing to compare to; but I abhor waste and I have leftover sourdough bread, lots of dehydrated fruits from last season which need to be used. It's in the oven now, just a half batch which looks MORE than enough for one person. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteMy mum would make something similar but using suet instead of butter and she would tie it all up and steam it in a pot, she's gone and so has the recipe. I wish I'd paid more attention, for many reasons.
ReplyDeleteSounds lovely.. I must try... Did you find your Mums recipe ?? did you compare ?
ReplyDeleteThat’s a Scottish clootie dumpling we make it at Christmas
DeleteMy mum made this bread pudding and encased it in pastry, it was and is delicious.
ReplyDeleteGoing to give it a go in the morning sounds great thank you
ReplyDeleteMade as the recipe, with the exception of the fruit. 1/2 mixed fruit, 1/2 left over mincemeat. Delicious.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired ! So I'm going to make this tomorrow ��
ReplyDeleteWhere's the Suet in the recipe though?
ReplyDeleteAnyone have the suet version??
ReplyDeleteThank you , gosh I haven’t made this for a while. I shall try it with granary bread . I always add half a jar of mincemeat 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you , gosh I haven’t made this for a while. I shall try it with granary bread . I always add half a jar of mincemeat 😊
ReplyDeleteLove this recipe and finally one my hubby says it tastes like the one his nan used to make. It doesn't last very long in our house.
ReplyDeleteMy mum only used bread, milk, sugar and sultanas. Mix together into very moist texture and cook until brown on top and firm
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a house mother in a boarding school, 30+ teenage boys, I used to make this for them after rugby matches. I used to soak the bread in water in a bucket! Memories. Thank you for your recipe and love all the comments.
ReplyDelete