Ingredients and Weight:
- 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 5 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 large eggs
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
Lemon Sauce:
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup cornstarch
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 4 cups water
* 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon lemon zest
* 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Preparation Time:
15 minutes
Cooking Time:
1 hour 15 minutes
Difficulty Level:
3 (Moderate)
Preparation Method Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, cream, eggs, and vanilla bean pulp and seeds.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the pudding is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the pudding cool slightly.
For the Lemon Sauce:
1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Gradually whisk in water until smooth.
3. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened.
5. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and butter until butter is melted.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving (1/8 of the recipe):
* Calories: 450
* Fat: 20g
* Saturated Fat: 10g
* Cholesterol: 200mg
* Sodium: 250mg
* Carbohydrates: 65g
* Protein: 10g
Dish Characteristics:
- Warm and comforting
- Creamy and custardy
- Rich lemon flavor
- Perfect dessert for any occasion
User Comments:
- "Absolutely delicious! The lemon sauce takes this pudding to the next level."
- "I've made this recipe for years and it's always a crowd-pleaser."
- "The perfect dessert for a special occasion."
- "Easy to make and full of flavor."
- "I love the combination of the sweet bread pudding and the tart lemon sauce."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Use stale bread for best results.
- Do not overbake the pudding, or it will become dry.
- Let the pudding cool slightly before serving to prevent the sauce from melting.
- Serve with additional lemon zest or whipped cream for garnish.
