Hey everyone! Let's talk about stale bread. I know, I know… it's not exactly the star of the culinary world. But what if I told you that those seemingly useless slices could be transformed into something truly magical? That's the power of this recipe, my friends. We're diving into a world of warm spices and comforting sweetness with a bread pudding recipe that's so easy, even I can do it. This isn't your grandma's bread pudding (unless your grandma was exceptionally cool). We're spicing things up with the unexpected addition of star anise. The subtle licorice notes perfectly complement the richness of the bread and custard, creating a flavor profile that is as unique as it is delicious.
I stumbled upon this recipe quite by accident—or perhaps it was destiny. I had a mountain of stale bread that was threatening a bread uprising in my kitchen. Desperation, my friends, is the mother of invention. So I started experimenting, and this beautiful, fragrant bread pudding was born. Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. We're keeping it simple, focusing on the quality of ingredients and technique over any complicated steps. You don't need any fancy equipment or years of culinary experience. If I, someone who burns water occasionally, can do this, you certainly can too. It's all about the magic of transforming something old and seemingly worthless into something new and utterly delightful.
Required Equipments
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Stale-Bread-Pudding-with-Star-Anise
This recipe transforms stale bread into a decadent and aromatic bread pudding infused with the unique flavor of star anise. It's a simple yet satisfying dessert perfect for any occasion.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 6 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Set aside.
- Tear the stale bread into roughly 1-inch pieces. Don't worry about being too precise here—rustic is good!
- In the large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until well combined. Make sure the sugar dissolves completely. It’s like a magical custard coming to life!
- Add the star anise pods to the custard mixture. Stir gently to distribute the aromatics.
- Add the torn bread pieces to the custard, making sure each piece is well coated. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard. This is the most crucial step for a moist and delicious pudding, trust me.
- Pour the bread pudding mixture into the prepared baking dish. Gently smooth the top. It might look a bit messy, that's half the charm!
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the pudding is set and lightly golden brown on top and the center is cooked through. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let the bread pudding cool slightly before serving. Dust with powdered sugar (optional) and serve warm or at room temperature. It’s even better the next day!
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if you like. You deserve it!
📝 Notes
- For a richer flavor, use brioche or challah bread.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar according to your sweetness preference.
- If using a different type of baking dish, adjust baking time accordingly. It’s better to err on the side of caution—slightly underbaked pudding is better than burnt pudding!
- This recipe is easily doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled! A crowd-pleaser indeed!
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 300
Protein: 8g
Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Calcium: 110mg
