Babka Bread Pudding - 2 recipe variations

[Olga Drozd]

Babka Bread Pudding

4 cups milk
11 tablespoons sugar
5 whole eggs
5 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 loaf Babka
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Heat the milk with the sugar until it is just hot and the sugar has dissolved.  Place the eggs and egg yolks in a bowl.  Whisk in the hot milk until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract and strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl.

Preheat the oven to 350º F.

Slice the Babka into pieces 1/4 inch thick and cut each slice in half.  Place on a baking sheet and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until crisp and lightly toasted. Melt the butter and brush one side of the Babka slices with it.  Arrange the slices evenly in a greased baking dish (8 x 8 inches), pour the custard over the slices, and let stand for 15 minutes.  Place the dish of bread pudding in a larger baking dish containing enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the bread pudding.  Bake for about 35 minutes to 40 minutes.  When the custard puffs around the sides of the baking dish and is only just set in the center, the pudding is done.  Remove from the water bath and cool slightly.  Serve while still warm.  Serves 12.

NOTE:  Cook any leftover custard mixture in a bowl in the microwave, set on low, giving the dish a quarter turn every 2 minutes; remove it when it still jiggles a bit.

[Olga Drozd]

Babka Bread Pudding:

Use up stale babka, brioche or egg bread to make this tasty bread pudding. You can make this recipe 1 or 2 days ahead and refrigerate until needed. Reheated in a 325º F. oven for 30 minutes or microwave on medium-high for 6 to 10 minutes.

10 cups, cut up into cubes - babka, brioche or egg bread
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk)
1 cup whole milk
1 cup half and half cream
8 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 cups peeled and coarsely chopped apples (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Confectioners' sugar and ground cinnamon for sprinkling (Placed in a sieve for sprinkling)

Preheat the oven to 350º F.  Lightly grease a 9 X 13 inch baking dish.

Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl.  In a separate bowl, mix together the evaporated milk, whole milk, half and half, eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.  Pour this mixture over the bread cubes and let stand for 10 minutes.  Fold in the apples and the raisins, if using.  Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and dust the top with a little confectioners' sugar and cinnamon.

Bake until lightly golden (35 to 45 minutes).  Cool about 5 minutes before serving.  This can be served warm or cold.  Makes 12 to 14 servings.