Maple Syrup Recipes : Desserts

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The Best Bread Pudding (Ever!)

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp milk
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 1½ tsp vanilla
• 3 tbsp triple sec or other orange flavored liqueur
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 16 cups firm bakery bread, cut into 1" cubes
• 1½ tbsp butter, melted

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup dark rum or bourbon
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup seasonal fruit (optional)

In a very large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until well blended. Whisk in milk, cream, vanilla, triple sec, salt and cinnamon. Add bread and toss to coat evenly. Let soak for one hour, gently turning every 20 minutes so bread soaks evenly.

Heat oven to 325°. Generously butter a 9 x 13 baking dish. Transfer bread to dish and adjust bread to form an even layer. Press down to submerge as much as possible. Brush top of exposed bread with melted butter.

Bake for 45-50 minutes until it is puffy and a deep golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand about 30 minutes before serving. (Can also be made ahead and reheated in a 300° oven for 10-15 minutes before serving.)

For sauce, heat butter til foamy, add syrup and liquor* and cook until thickened enough to coat a spoon – about 2-3 minutes. Add cream and cook an additional minute. Cut pudding into squares and drizzle with sauce. Top with whipped cream or ice cream.

* If using fruit, add sliced fruit at this time as well. Some good choices are strawberries, peaches or plums.