Clara Bennett This cozy Nigella Christmas Bread and Butter Pudding is made with rich brioche, eggs, double cream, caster sugar, and raisins soaked in Marsala. This recipe creates a wonderfully creamy and decadent dessert with a golden, crispy top. It’s the perfect comforting dish for a festive holiday gathering, serving about 6 people as a cozy winter treat.
Nigella Christmas Bread and Butter Pudding Ingredients
- 3 free-range eggs
- 3 tbsp caster sugar
- 2 cups milk and double cream mixed together, half and half
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 loaf white bread, croissants, brioche or panettone
- 50g (about 3.5 tbsp) butter
- A large handful of raisins, soaked in Marsala
- Double cream or custard, to serve
How To Make Nigella Christmas Bread and Butter Pudding
- Preheat the oven and make the custard: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4). In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, milk and cream mixture, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Prepare the bread: Slice your bread, toast it lightly, and spread butter on one side of each slice. Arrange the buttered bread slices in an ovenproof dish, overlapping them. Make sure to leave some edges sticking out at the top so they get nice and crisp.
- Assemble the pudding: Scatter the soaked raisins evenly over the bread. Carefully pour the egg and cream mixture over the entire dish, making sure all the bread is soaked.
- Bake and serve: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown. Serve warm with extra double cream or custard.
Recipe Tips
- Choose the Right Bread: Using a rich bread like brioche or panettone adds extra flavor and creates a more luxurious, tender texture than standard white bread.
- Soak Your Raisins: Soaking the raisins in Marsala (or even warm water) makes them plump and juicy. This prevents them from drying out or burning in the oven and adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Don’t Overbake the Custard: For the creamiest result, bake the pudding until the custard is just set. It should still have a slight wobble in the center when you gently shake the dish. Overbaking can make the eggs scramble.
- Let It Rest: After taking the pudding out of the oven, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the custard to settle completely, making it easier to slice and serve.
What To Serve Bread and Butter Pudding
This comforting bread and butter pudding is delicious on its own, but it’s even better served warm with a generous pouring of double cream or warm vanilla custard. For a different twist, you could serve it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, which will melt beautifully into the warm pudding. A drizzle of caramel sauce or a light dusting of cinnamon can also add a lovely finishing touch.
How To Store Bread and Butter Pudding Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can enjoy it cold or reheat it. To reheat, place a serving in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or warm it in an oven at 160°C (325°F) until heated through.
- Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this pudding. The custard can separate and become watery when thawed, changing the creamy texture of the dish.
Nigella Christmas Bread and Butter Pudding Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Total Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
- Sodium: 310mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 25g
- Protein: 12g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the entire pudding, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before baking. This can save you time when preparing a big meal.
- What can I use instead of raisins? If you’re not a fan of raisins, you can substitute them with other dried fruits like cranberries, chopped apricots, or dates. For a more decadent version, try adding a handful of chocolate chips.
- Do I have to use alcohol to soak the raisins? Not at all. While Marsala adds a traditional festive flavor, you can easily soak the raisins in warm water, apple juice, or orange juice to make them plump and juicy.
- Why is my pudding watery? A watery pudding is usually a sign that it was slightly underbaked. Make sure the center is mostly set with just a slight wobble before you remove it from the oven. It will continue to set as it cools.
Try More Recipes:
- Nigella Luscious Vegan Gingerbread
- Nigella Gluten‑Free Banana Bread with Chocolate and Walnuts Recipe
- Nigella No-Knead Bread Recipe
Nigella Christmas Bread and Butter Pudding
Description
This cozy Nigella Christmas Bread and Butter Pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert. It features slices of rich, buttered bread soaked in a creamy vanilla custard and dotted with plump, juicy raisins. Baked until golden and crispy on top, it’s a wonderfully simple and decadent treat perfect for any festive occasion
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make the custard: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk/cream mixture, and vanilla extract.
- Prepare the bread: Slice, toast, and butter the bread. Arrange the slices overlapping in an ovenproof dish.
- Assemble and bake: Scatter the soaked raisins over the bread and pour the custard mixture evenly on top. Bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden and the custard is set.
- Serve: Let it rest for a few minutes before serving warm with extra cream or custard.