Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Creamy, custardy bread pudding, a favorite dessert, developed generations ago as frugal cooks found ways to use up stale bread. This recipe for bread pudding features dried fruit and a touch of rum. Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour 50 minutes Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1/2-inch pat of butter 1 cup dried fruit (pears, apricots, apples, apricots, raisins, and so on) 2 cups water 1/4 cup rum or alcohol of choice (optional) 1 orange 4 1/2 cups milk 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cinnamon stick 1 clove 1/8 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg, or same amount dried 1 1/4 cups sugar 9 eggs pinch of salt 10 slices of day-old white bread (preferably crusty country-style bread) 1/8 cup (1/4 stick) butter Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.