Blueberry Bread Pudding Recipe: Scrumptious, Healthy, and Easy to Make

Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding features a mix of staple and flavorful components. You’ll need day-old bread, ideally brioche or challah. These types of bread soak up the custard mixture well. Key dairy ingredients include whole milk and heavy cream, while the eggs help create the custard base. Blueberries are the star; opt for fresh or frozen berries for convenience. Essential flavor enhancers include vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Sugar adds the necessary sweetness, and lastly, butter helps achieve a golden-brown top crust.

Flavor Profile

Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding offers a rich, custardy texture filled with bursts of blueberry flavor. The combination of brioche or challah creates a soft, yet slightly chewy consistency. The vanilla and cinnamon add warmth, blending harmoniously with the natural sweetness of blueberries. Each bite delivers a balanced mix of creamy custard and tart fruit, enhanced by the slight crunch of the golden-brown top crust. This dessert promises a comforting, yet sophisticated flavor profile.

How to Make Beths Blueberry Bread Pudding

Necessary Equipment

Ensure you have all the essential kitchen tools to create Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding efficiently. Gather these items:

• Mixing Bowls: Medium to large-sized bowls for combining ingredients.
• Whisk: To mix the custard smoothly.
• Baking Dish: An 8×8-inch baking dish works well.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy is key for the right flavor balance.
• Knife: To cut the bread into cubes.
• Spatula: Useful for folding ingredients together.
• Aluminum Foil: To cover the dish while baking.
• Oven Mitts: Crucial for handling hot dishes safely.

1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Bread: Cut day-old brioche or challah bread into 1-inch cubes and set them aside.
3. Make Custard Mix:

• Combine 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, and 4 large eggs in a mixing bowl.
• Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar.
• Whisk until the mixture is well combined and smooth.

1. Combine Ingredients:

• Place the bread cubes in the baking dish.
• Pour the custard mixture over the bread, ensuring all pieces are soaked.
• Gently fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.

1. Rest and Soak: Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the custard.
2. Prepare for Baking:

• Dot the top with small pieces of butter (about 2 tablespoons total).
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

1. Bake:

• Place the covered baking dish in the preheated oven.
• Bake for 30 minutes covered, then remove the foil.
• Continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted comes out clean.

1. Cool and Serve: Allow the pudding to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with a drizzle of cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Serving Suggestions

Best Time to Serve

Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding shines as a delightful dessert option for various occasions. This dish works wonderfully for brunch gatherings, offering a sweet contrast to savory items. Its comforting texture and flavor make it ideal for holidays or family get-togethers when you want to impress your guests with a homemade treat. Serve it warm right out of the oven or let it cool slightly to enjoy a more set consistency. A perfect time for serving is right after dinner, as the rich, custardy texture makes for a satisfying end to a meal.

Pairing Ideas

Pair Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding with complementary flavors to elevate your dining experience. Vanilla ice cream adds a creamy, cold contrast, enhancing the warm, rich custard. Fresh whipped cream offers a light, airy topping that balances the dessert’s density. For a more decadent touch, drizzle caramel or a berry compote over the pudding. Beverages can also enhance the dish; a hot cup of coffee or a warm vanilla latte pairs perfectly with the sweet, tangy notes of the blueberries. Wine enthusiasts might enjoy a glass of sweet Riesling or a light, fruity rosé to complement the dish’s flavors.

Nutritional Information

Health Benefits Of Blueberries

Blueberries, a key ingredient in Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding, provide numerous health benefits. They’re rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Consuming blueberries may improve heart health by reducing bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure. They’re also known to support brain function and may delay cognitive aging. Additionally, blueberries offer high amounts of vitamins C and K, aiding immune function and calcium absorption, respectively. Their fiber content supports digestive health, contributing to a well-rounded nutritional profile.

Caloric Content

Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding, while indulgent, offers a moderate caloric content. A typical serving (1 cup) contains approximately 250-300 calories. This estimate includes the caloric contributions from ingredients like brioche or challah bread, whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, blueberries, sugar, and butter. Though rich, the dessert also delivers essential nutrients such as protein from the eggs and dairy, along with the antioxidant benefits of blueberries. Consider portion size and enjoy this dish as part of a balanced diet.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Positive Reviews

Many customers rave about Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding. They appreciate its rich, custardy texture and find the bursts of blueberry flavor delightful. This dessert often receives compliments for its perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Frequent reviewers mention it as a go-to dessert for family gatherings and special occasions.

Several users highlight the ease of following Beth’s recipe. They appreciate the clear instructions and often share pictures of their successful attempts on social media. Customers also commend the health benefits of the dessert due to the blueberries, making it an appealing option for those seeking a sweet treat with nutritional perks.

Critical Feedback

While most reviews are positive, some customers offer constructive criticism. A few find the pudding a bit too sweet and suggest reducing the sugar content. Others mention that the texture can be too dense, particularly if the bread is not stale enough before baking.

A handful also express concerns over the calorie count, despite the nutritional benefits of blueberries. These customers recommend smaller portion sizes or altering the recipe to make it lighter. Some suggest adding more blueberries to enhance the fruity flavor further.

Through these reviews, you gain a balanced view of Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding, helping you decide if it aligns with your taste and dietary preferences.

Conclusion

Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding stands out as a delightful dessert that combines rich, custardy texture with bursts of fresh blueberries. While it receives high praise for its taste and simplicity, it’s important to consider the feedback about sweetness and calorie content. By making small adjustments like reducing sugar or adding more blueberries, you can tailor this dessert to better suit your preferences. Whether you’re seeking a comforting treat or a health-conscious option, Beth’s Blueberry Bread Pudding offers a versatile and delicious choice for any occasion.