Mixed Berry Brioche Bread Pudding
π Ingredients
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6-8 cups Brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (stale bread works best!) π
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2 cups Mixed berries (Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries) π«
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4 large Eggs π₯
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2 cups Whole milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
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1/2 cup Granulated sugar
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1 tsp Vanilla extract
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1/4 tsp Salt
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Optional: White chocolate chips or a drizzle of condensed milk (as seen in the image) π₯
π₯£ Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prep the Dish β‘οΈ Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
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Arrange the Bread β‘οΈ Spread the brioche cubes evenly into the prepared dish. πβ‘οΈπ₯
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Add the Berries β‘οΈ Scatter 1.5 cups of the mixed berries over and between the bread cubes. Save the remaining 0.5 cup for the very top. π
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Whisk the Custard β‘οΈ In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until completely smooth. π₯£
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The Soak β‘οΈ Pour the custard mixture slowly over the bread, ensuring every piece of brioche is coated. β‘οΈ Use a spatula to gently press the bread down so it absorbs the liquid. π₯
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Rest Time β‘οΈ Let the dish sit for at least 20β30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight). This prevents the pudding from being dry in the center. π
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Preheat & Top β‘οΈ Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Scatter the remaining berries and optional white chocolate on top.
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Bake β‘οΈ Bake for 40β50 minutes. The pudding is done when the custard is set (no longer wobbly) and the top is golden brown and slightly crisp. π₯§π₯
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Cool Slightly β‘οΈ Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the custard to firm up.
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Final Touch β‘οΈ Drizzle with a little extra cream, condensed milk, or maple syrup if desired. π―
β Common Questions (Q&A)
Q: Can I use frozen berries? A: Yes! Do not thaw them first, as the juice will bleed and turn the bread purple. Just toss them in straight from the freezer. βοΈπ
Q: What if I don’t have Brioche? A: Challah, Croissants, or even thick-cut Texas Toast are great substitutes. Avoid standard sandwich bread as it can become too mushy. π
Q: Can I make this dairy-free? A: Certainly! Use full-fat coconut milk or oat milk for the best texture. π₯₯π₯
Q: Is it okay to make this the night before? A: Yes, it’s actually better! Assembling it at night and baking it in the morning results in a much richer, more custardy texture. πβ‘οΈβοΈ
β¨ Pro-Tips for Success
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Stale is Better: If your bread is fresh, toast the cubes in a 300Β°F oven for 10 minutes to dry them out. Dry bread acts like a sponge for the custard! π§½
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Golden Top: If the top is browning too fast but the center is still wet, cover the dish loosely with foil for the last 15 minutes of baking. π‘οΈ