The Origins of Bread Pudding (or Bread & Putter Pudding as its known in our house)

Bread Pudding has been around, literally, for centuries, and was originally used a a way for cooks to use stale, leftover bread instead of letting it go to waste. Bread pudding has the most humble of origins, but it now shows up on the dessert menus of upscale restaurants.

It being undeniably simple and consequently cheap makes it as worthwhile today as it ever was. A truly rib-sticking bread pudding is not for everyday eating, but is a huge treat on a freezing cold day.

Basically, the dish is made by layering bits of bread and any add-ins in a dish and pouring a custard sauce over before baking.  Consequently, the possibilities for the dish are endless, because cooks can vary the type of bread and any ingredients they choose to add.

Why do we love Bread Pudding so much?

Bread and butter pudding had always been one of my favourite desserts.  I think I inherited that from my Dad who would practically eat a whole dish to himself.  He liked his full of cream and eggs and sometimes a bit of chocolate.  Occasionally even with croissants instead of bread.  So as an homage to Dad, I made a slightly healthier and vegan bread and butter pudding – but one that still has all the unctuousness and dig-in-ness of a traditional one.

Neither a normal nor a vegan bread and butter pudding are hard to make though and they’re both a great way to use leftover bread.  Or bread that’s gone a bit stale.  Pffft .. does that ever happen in your house?  I normally buy a loaf and freeze it – chizzeling off a slice or two as needed.  If bread’s there, I’ll eat it.  I’ve had toast my whole life and never ever got bored of it.  It’s like an old friend – reliable, trustworthy and never disappoints.  Not that I keep old friends in the freezer normally.

How to make Bread Pudding

Simply layer up butter bread into a dish, sprinkle with the fruit of your choosing, even add a little booze (if thats your thing), pour over a custard and bake slowly. Don’t be tempted to hurry a bread pudding by cooking it for a shorter time in a hotter oven. The slow cooking is necessary to get the centre of the mixture firm.

It really couldn’t be simpler.

Can I make a Vegan Bread Pudding?

Heck Yeah!

Swap butter for Vitalite, its a Vegan Society dairy free spread that has a deliciously buttery flavour and is incredibly versatile – from making vegan pastry in lemon meringue pie or vegan quiche to rich and buttery vegan shortbread and even vegan frosting on vegan brownies. It also contains no palm oil unlike many of the other dairy free spreads.

And don’t be worried about making vegan custard – it really couldn’t be more simple (or delicious!)  Firstly you make a paste with the cornflour and a little of the almond milk, boil the remaining milk then add the two together in the saucepan.  Stir till it stars to thicken, adding all your spices, orange zest and sugar before pouring it over your buttered bread.  The whole lot is baked until just firm and you can then glaze it with some warmed marmalade.  This gives a lovely sticky top and really brings out the flavour of the orange already baked into the pudding.

Can I use different fruits in my Bread Pudding?

Of course you can! In this recipe I’ve used apricots – I was lucky enough to be sent these from Avicena Bio Foods and I’ve become a genuine fan!  They’re dark, chewy and sticky and have an almost spicy flavour, making them a great fruity contrast to the custard soaked bread.

Phil doesn’t even like apricots yet he absolutely scoffed this vegan bread and butter pudding!

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