Thanksgiving Bread Pudding Recipe

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 1/2 cups cubed day old French bread
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups milk, scalded
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 cup pecans, chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Generously butter an 8x8 inch baking dish. Prepare a water bath for the baking dish by placing a larger dish in the oven, and partially filling it with hot water.
Place bread cubes in the baking dish. In a medium bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Slowly whisk in the scalded milk. Pour over the bread. Sprinkle with nutmeg, brown sugar, and pecans.
Place the baking dish in the water bath. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve either hot or chilled.

Bread Pudding III

INGREDIENTS:
10 slices white bread, cut into cubes
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
6 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups scalded milk
1 pinch ground nutmeg

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter one 2 quart baking dish.
Combine bread cubes, butter, cinnamon and raisins; mix well and place in baking dish.
Beat together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt. Add milk, mix well and pour over bread cubes.
Sprinkle with nutmeg and bake for 25 minutes.

Burnt Sugar Icing

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups white sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:
Over a low heat, pour 1/2 cup sugar into a heavy pan. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon for 8 to 10 minutes; or until it is caramelized (light brown colored).
Pour the boiling water into the caramelized sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in the butter, milk, salt and remaining sugar. Boil the mixture until it reaches soft ball stage, approximately 236 degrees F (115 degrees C). Cool the mixture to room temperature. When the mixture has cooled, stir in the vanilla extract.
With an electric mixer, beat the mixture until it is thick and creamy. Spread on