BRANDIED DRIED FRUIT BREAD PUDDING

By BobD

Ingredients

• 8 SERVINGS
• 1 baguette
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups whole milk
• 3 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/4 cups chopped mixed dried fruit such as prunes, apricots, and cranberries

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375F with rack in middle.

Butter a 2-qt shallow baking dish.

Cut enough 1-inch pieces from baguette to measure 6 cups.

Whisk together cream, milk, eggs, yolks, 2/3 cup sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add bread and soak, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, boil brandy and water with dried fruits in a small heavy saucepan until liquid is reduced to about 2 Tbsp, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool slightly.

Stir fruit mixture into bread mixture, then transfer to baking dish. Sprinkle remaining Tbsp sugar over top.

Bake until custard is set and bread is golden in places, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Cool slightly before serving.