Food Musings

A perfect dessert for the Holidays or any special occasion!

Once I find a good dessert recipe I find it difficult to try anything new.  That is certainly the case with this Amaretto Bread Pudding which is the ONLY bread pudding recipe I’ve ever prepared.  It comes out perfect every time and is so easy to make.  So, why try something new?  I will someday but for now, this is a perfect winter dessert as it’s appealing to almost all of the senses…sight, smell and taste. 

The sauce is so delicious over the dessert and that might have something to do with the liqueur!   It more likely though has more to do with the whipped butter so don’t skip that ingredient and substitute regular butter.   The consistency just won’t be the same.  You can find whipped butter in your grocery store next to regular stick butter.

 I know…I need to try a chocolate bread pudding or another recipe someday…thinking of adding a coffee liqueur to that one. 

Try this dessert soon for family and friends and you might not ever prepare a different bread pudding recipe either! 

 Amaretto Bread Pudding

 For a smaller party I cut the ingredients in half – this recipe makes 12 servings

• 1 pound croissants
• 2/3 cup toasted and sliced almonds
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
• 1 quart half and half
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup amaretto liqueur

Tear the croissants into small pieces.  Place them in a deep 8 ½ inch by 13 inch dish.  Toss with the almonds and cranberries.

In a large mixing bowl combine the half and half, sugar, eggs and amaretto and beat to blend.  Pour mixture over bread and let soak in refrigerator 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Preheat oven to 350°.  Bake 1 hour or until golden brown.  Cool and cut into squares or scoop on to plates.  Drizzle Amaretto Sauce over each serving.

Amaretto Sauce

• ½ cup amaretto liqueur
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 ½ cups whipped butter

Combine amaretto and sugar in a sauce pot and stir over low heat to dissolve sugar.  Remove from heat and whisk in whipped butter.  Drizzle sauce over each serving of bread pudding.