The Blue Sky Blueberry Bread Pudding with Lemon Crème Anglaise

Blueberry Bread Pudding

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Preparation time:50 Mins

Cooking time:55 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Optional: Lightly toast bread cubes for 5-7 minutes until slightly dry. Place bread cubes and blueberries in the prepared baking dish. Toss gently to distribute the fruit evenly.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the ½ cup sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the 4 eggs. Then, whisk in the 2 cups milk, 1 cup heavy cream, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
• Slowly pour the wet custard mixture into the dry ingredients, whisking gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and blueberries in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure everything is submerged.
• Let the pudding stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes (or cover and chill for up to 4 hours) to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard.
• Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and puffed, and a knife inserted near the centre comes out mostly clean.
• While the pudding bakes, prepare the Lemon Crème Anglaise: Gently heat the ½ cup cream, ½ cup milk, and lemon zest in a saucepan until steaming (do not boil).
• In a bowl, whisk the 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 egg yolks until pale. Slowly temper the hot liquid into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, then return the mixture to the pan.
• Cook the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly, until it lightly coats the back of a spoon (170°F/77°C). Strain immediately through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
• Let the Blueberry Bread Pudding rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving warm, drizzled generously with the Lemon Crème Anglaise.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:480kcal

Fat:25g

Fiber:2g

Recipe Info

Category:Dessert

Cuisine:American

The Comfort Revival: Why This Blueberry Bread Pudding Stands Apart

Right then, let’s get this show on the road! Blueberry Bread Pudding —a truly comforting classic, a bit like finding a warm jumper on a chilly Monday morning. Forget everything you thought you knew about soggy leftovers! This recipe transforms day-old brioche or challah into a decadent, custardy masterpiece studded with tart, juicy blueberries. Inspired by traditional British puddings but given a bright, zingy lift with a hint of lemon in the accompanying sauce, it’s the perfect cozy indulgence—rich, sweet, and wonderfully textured. It’s Comfort Food Blueberry Pudding elevated, ready for your Sunday supper or a posh brunch. We’re going to take that humble staple, stale bread (never throw it out, honestly!), and turn it into something truly spectacular.

Unveiling the Magic of Day-Old Bread Transformation

The secret to superior Blueberry Bread Pudding lies entirely in the bread you choose and how you treat it. We’re aiming for texture—something that soaks up the rich custard without dissolving entirely into mush. This transformation process is where the magic happens; what starts as firm, dry cubes becomes the pillow-soft yet structured foundation of our dessert. This straightforward technique elevates humble leftovers into something genuinely luxurious.

More Than Dessert: A Study in Warmth and Texture

This creation is less a stiff cake and more a rich, creamy bake. When you approach this Blueberry Bread Pudding Recipe , think about the interplay between the slightly browned, crisp edges of the bread crusts and the molten, creamy interior saturated with milk and eggs. We use 8 cups of bread cubes, typically using rich breads like brioche or challah (about 1 lb), cut into 1-inch cubes. For a delightful twist, you could even explore using slightly aged croissants for an extra buttery flavour profile—a fantastic variation if you’re feeling adventurous!

The Zesty Secret: Introducing the Lemon Crème Anglaise

While the pudding stands proudly on its own, the accompaniment truly completes the experience. We aren't settling for plain cream here; we are whisking up a bright, zingy Lemon Crème Anglaise. This sauce requires a bit more finesse—it’s why we label this recipe Easy/Medium difficulty—but the payoff is immense. It involves gently heating ½ cup heavy cream and ½ cup whole milk infused with lemon zest, then carefully tempering it with two egg yolks and 3 tablespoons of sugar before cooking it low and slow until it coats the back of a spoon beautifully. This bright sauce cuts through the richness of the custard perfectly.

Our Guarantee: The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Blueberry Bread Pudding

This comprehensive guide ensures you achieve that coveted balance: a deeply flavourful, evenly set custard studded with vibrant berries. Our goal is to craft the Best Blueberry Bread Pudding Recipe you’ll ever make, ensuring that every single serving is perfectly soaked and golden brown. We estimate this takes about 20 minutes of active prep, followed by a crucial 30 minutes of resting time before the 45–55 minute bake.

Assembling Your Components for Berry Bliss

Success in baking often comes down to meticulous preparation of your core components. For this Easy Blueberry Bread Pudding , we need to ensure the bread is ready to accept the custard and that the berries are distributed perfectly throughout the dish before baking begins.

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The Essential Toolkit: What You Need to Bake

To begin this baking adventure, ensure you have a 9x13 inch baking dish (or equivalent 3-quart capacity) ready. Your main tools will be a whisk, a large mixing bowl for the custard, and a rubber spatula for gently folding and pressing the bread.

Selecting the Ideal Stale Bread Base

The foundation of an excellent Fresh Blueberry Bread Pudding is bread that isn't fresh. Day-old bread possesses the structural integrity needed to absorb the liquid without collapsing into liquid slurry. While brioche or challah yields the richest result, a sturdy French loaf works well too. A pro tip: lightly toast your 1-inch cubes for 5- 7 minutes on a baking sheet before assembly; this slight drying process dramatically improves final texture. Combine these dried cubes with 1 ½ cups of blueberries (fresh or frozen—if frozen, toss them in a teaspoon of flour first to prevent sinking and colour bleed).

Dairy Ratios: Perfecting the Custard Mix

The custard is the soul of this pudding. We rely on a mixture of full-fat ingredients for the best texture. You will need 2 cups of whole milk paired with 1 cup of heavy cream. This creamy base is what will ultimately set into that luscious, pudding-like interior. We are using 4 large eggs, lightly beaten, to provide the necessary structure to bind the liquid into a delicate set custard after baking.

Beyond the Berries: Flavor Enhancers and Spices

To elevate the simple combination of bread and cream, we introduce aromatic warmth. Whisk ½ cup of granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a tiny ¼ teaspoon of salt into the dry ingredients first. Then, once the eggs, milk, and cream are combined with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, gently incorporate the wet into the dry. This balance of sweetness, spice, and salt ensures the final product sings with flavour.

The Crafting Process: From Cubes to Golden Brown

Once all your components are prepped—the bread toasted, the berries ready, and the custard mixed—the assembly phase is quick and satisfying.

Prepping the Bread and Infusing the Custard

Butter your 9x13 inch baking dish thoroughly. Place the prepared bread cubes and the blueberries into the dish, tossing them gently to ensure the berries are scattered evenly. Now, slowly pour the prepared custard mixture over the bread, making sure every piece gets a good coating of the liquid. Use your rubber spatula to gently push down any floating pieces of bread, ensuring they are fully submerged beneath the surface.

The Soak Time: Allowing Flavors to Meld Deeply

This step is non-negotiable for achieving that sublime, creamy centre; do not rush the soak time. Allowing the mixture to rest at room temperature for a solid 30 minutes—or even covering and chilling it for up to 4 hours—gives the starch in the bread the necessary time to fully hydrate. This prevents dry pockets in the finished pudding and guarantees a uniform, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Baking Temperature Calibration for Even Cooking

Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C). The pudding will bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes. You are looking for a rich golden-brown surface that appears puffed, and when you test the centre with a knife, it should emerge mostly clean. A little moistness is desirable, as it indicates the custard is perfectly set but not overbaked.

Glazing and Final Presentation Touches

After the pudding comes out of the oven, let it rest for 10– 15 minutes before attempting to slice it. This resting period allows the custard structure to firm up slightly. While it rests, you can finalize your sauce. Drizzle generously with the warm Lemon Crème Anglaise, or simply dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Maximizing Your Blueberry Bread Pudding Experience

We want every bake to be a triumph. Understanding potential pitfalls and offering creative outlets ensures your next attempt at this Blueberry Bread Pudding with Cream Cheese variation (or any other!) is spectacular.

Troubleshooting Common Custard Conundrums

If your pudding comes out too runny, it usually means insufficient soak time or an oven temperature that was too low. If the top burns before the centre is set, simply tent the dish loosely with aluminum foil for the remainder of the bake time. Remember, the key to the accompanying sauce is tempering; if you heat your tempered egg mixture too quickly, you risk scrambling the yolks, so always stir constantly over low heat until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.

Storage Solutions: Keeping Leftovers Sublime

Leftovers are a blessing! Store the cooled Blueberry Bread Pudding tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, a slice warmed gently in the microwave for 30 seconds or baked briefly in a 300° F oven will restore much of its original creamy texture.

Creative Twists: Flavor Variations for Next Time

Once you master the basic structure, feel free to experiment. Craving something richer? Try folding in 4 ounces of softened cream cheese cubes along with the blueberries; this results in a wonderfully dense Blueberry Bread Pudding with Cream Cheese . Alternatively, for an adult twist, add two tablespoons of dark rum or bourbon into the custard mixture for a deeply warming note, perhaps creating an impromptu Blueberry Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce alternative! If individual servings appeal, this recipe scales beautifully into Blueberry Bread Pudding Muffins baked in well-greased muffin tins for about 25 minutes.

Nutritional Snapshot of This Decadent Treat

While this is certainly an indulgence, understanding the baseline helps in enjoying it mindfully. Estimations place this recipe around 450–500 calories per serving, with approximately 15g of protein. The fat content is higher due to the cream and brioche base, but the satisfaction derived from this homemade treat is immeasurable.

Reader Feedback and Recipe Enhancements

We encourage you to share your experiences! Did you substitute the bread? Did you try skipping the sauce for a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream? We are always eager to hear how home bakers adapt this core recipe. Hearing how you incorporate ingredients like toasted pecans or a hint of almond extract helps us all improve our versions of this beloved classic.