EGGNOG BREAKFAST BREAD PUDDING (FROM YAHOO)

EGGNOG BREAKFAST BREAD PUDDING (FROM YAHOO) image

Yield 12 portions

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 loaf French bread, sliced
4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups eggnog
2 cups whole or 2% milk
5 large eggs
4 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
Pinch salt
2 tablespoons bourbon (or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract)
Confectioner's sugar and warm maple syrup, for serving

Steps:

The Night Before - Generously butter the bread slices. Cut the buttered slices into 1-inch cubes and pile into a 2-quart baking dish. Heat the eggnog and milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until bubbling gently but not boiling. Be careful not to scald the bottom. Meanwhile, combine the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk vigorously until light and frothy. Whisk one cup of the eggnog mixture into the eggs to temper them - adding all of it at once may scramble the eggs! Gradually whisk in the remaining eggnog mixture and the bourbon, if using. Pour the custard over the bread cubes, and gently mash down with your hands to make sure all of the bread gets saturated. Chill overnight in the refrigerator. In the Morning Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place the casserole dish inside of a large roasting pan to prepare the water bath and transfer to the oven. Carefully pour the boiling water into the roasting pan, so that it comes halfway up the sides of the baking dish. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is light golden brown. Remove the roasting pan from the oven, then carefully lift the casserole dish out of the water. Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.