Bread and butter pudding

Posted on Quick & Easy Cooking message board by iVillager mandiet32

Ingredients
56g (2oz) unsalted butter
12 medium-thick slices of softened white bread (without the crusts)
8 egg yolks
170g (6oz) caster sugar
a couple of drops of vanilla essence
300ml (10fl oz) milk
300ml (10fl oz) double cream
28g (1oz) sultanas
28g (1oz) raisins

Method

Pre-heat oven to 175/180C, 350F or gas mark 4 Butter a 3-pint (1.7 litre) shallow dish. Spread bread with butter and cut each slice into 4 triangles.

For the custard

Whisk egg yolks, caster sugar and essence in a bowl. Put the milk and cream into a pan, simmer and then stir into the egg yolks. Layer one third of the bread in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with half the sultanas and raisins. Repeat once more and then finish with a final layer of bread. Do not add any fruit to this layer as it tends to burn if it is on top of the pudding. Pour the warm egg custard over the bread and bake straight away. Place the dish in a roasting tray, three quarters filled with warm water and bake in the oven for 20-30 mins. Pre-heat grill to medium. Remove the dish from the roasting tray and sprinkle with caster sugar. Slide under the grill until nicely glazed.

Variations
Spread the buttered bread with marmalade for added flavour. Or spread with mincemeat before layering and add a splash of rum to make it a bit Christmassy. Hope you enjoy!

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