This is PERFECT for Christmas breakfast or brunch!
Ingredients:
- 8x8 baking tray
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus a bit more for greasing pan)
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 large eggs
- 2 1/2 pcs. Thumb Bread®
- Strawberry preserves
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream (homemade or store bought)
- Strawberry sauce for topping
Directions:
Strawberry Preserve Bread Pudding on Thumb Bread®
To dry out fresh bread, slice bread and bake it in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes, watching to make sure it doesn’t burn. Bread shouldn’t be toasted all the way-just slightly.
• Slice bread horizontally (as if making a sandwich). Spread jelly on bottom half of bread then cover with top slice. Cut bread into small cubes. Tip: make sure you slice your bread into even-sized pieces to allow for better baking.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Grease an 8×8 baking pan with butter.
• In a large bowl whisk (or blend in blender) melted butter, half and half, eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla together.
• Add in the bread until soaked with mixture, then put the bread cubes neatly into the 8×8 pan.
• Spoon drops of jelly on top of bread.
• Spoon the remaining milk mixture over the bread in pan.
• Bake for 35-40 mins or until golden brown on top. The bread will fluff up as it bakes.
• Allow to set and cool for 10 minutes.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Top with whipped cream (or ice cream), fresh strawberry and powdered sugar, (optional strawberry, chocolate, or caramel sauce).
Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions:
• Add whipped cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract to a chilled mixing bowl or a standing mixer.
• Use the wire whisk attachment to a standing mixer, or a hand-held mixer, and beat the ingredients together, starting on low speed and increasing to high slowly as it begins to firm up.
• Beat for 60-90 seconds until stiff peaks form, stopping once halfway through to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Whipped cream should be put in refrigerator to chill after mixing (few minutes before serving).
Fresh Strawberry Sauce
Ingredients:
• 1 lb Strawberries, rinsed, hulled and thickly sliced
1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice from 1/2 Lemon
Directions:
• In a medium saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 Tbsp lemon juice.
• Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Do not mash strawberries.
• Reduce heat and simmer 20-25 min or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Storage Instructions
Strawberry preserve Bread Pudding will keep refrigerated for 3-4 days when tightly sealed.
Enjoy and happy holidays!
