Eggless caramel bread pudding

Bread pudding - that one dessert I loved to eat when mom used to make.  It was like no one else can make this pudding as she does. Honestly I learnt many times from her but never so interested in making it on my own. Only wanted to enjoy this dessert made by her.

How about you people. I am sure most of you like this delicious yummy dessert and also am sure many of you have made it several times in your kitchen. But for me it was the first time and that too caramel one. I had guests last weekend and I wanted to make the dessert at home instead of buying ice-cream or something from outside. And in anyways ever since I have started my blog I never had to go buy sweet dishes for my guests. I wanted to try something that I have never tried before. But at the same time was a little scared thinking  how it would turn out. Somehow settled my mind on caramel bread pudding. As this recipe doesn't require any special ingredient I quickly started preparing for the same the previous night. I usually prefer to make desserts the previous night only to set in refrigerator properly and chilled properly. I have omitted the egg intentionally whereas we all eat egg including the guests.  I have steamed the pudding in a large kadhai with water covering with the lid. You can bake it in oven as well (I have not tried though). I have made this pudding in my round cake tin , you can use glass /casserole dish/ramaken of any shape.

Here is how my dish came out. Pretty good looking right ? You can garnish the caramel pudding on top with some chocolate sauce /caramel sauce or whipped cream or you can add some dry fruits also . I did not coz I was out of stock and also I wanted to keep it simple.

Now how does this eggless version tastes like. Well it tastes as good as the one with eggs, only difference being that softness fluffiness and gooeyness  that comes with the addition of egg. You can spread butter on the bread slices which will  definitely enhance the taste I am sure or why not to spread some mix fruit jam too. Hmmm that sounds yummy to me. Gonna try that too soon in my kitchen.

Ingredients:

Bread slices: 6 (I used brown bread. you can use white bread as well)
Milk: 2 cups
Sugar: 6-7 tbspoons
Vanilla essence: 1 tsp
Cornstarch: 1 tsp
 
For the caramel

Sugar: 3 tbsp.
Water: 2 tbsp

Method:

Take the bread slices and cut them into small square/cube sizes. Keep aside. As I mentioned above that you can apply butter on the bread slices , so this is the step where you have to spread the butter on the slices and then cut into cubes.


In a saucepan add the milk and bring it to boil and then keep it in simmer for some time. Say about 3-4 minutes. Now add the bread , sugar and corn starch. Mix everything well. Remove it from the flame and mash the bread with the help of a masher or any big flat spatula or spoon till you get a paste like consistency. Add vanilla essence, mix everything well and keep aside to cool down.

Now prepare the caramel in another saucepan by adding the water and sugar in low flame. Bring it to boil and stir continuously so that the sugar completely dissolves in water. Slowly you will see the bubbles forming and the colour of the mixture changes into light brown. Remove it from flame then and pour it in the cake tin and  spread it evenly by moving the tin in circular motion. You need to be very fast at this point of time as the caramel hardens as it cools and you wont be able to get it spread evenly otherwise. Now let it rest for sometime till it cools & sets.


In the meanwhile boil water in a large broad pot/saucepan/pan. I used my large broad kadhai where my tin fits easily. and added about 3-4 cups of water.

Now pour the bread mixture onto the  tin with caramel. Spread evenly with the help of a spoon or spatula. Cover it with an aluminium sheet and poke holes on it with a toothpick. Place it on the boiling water. Just keep it in mind that the water level should touch at least an inch or two of the tin. Cover it with a lid and put the flame to low. Keep it in simmer for about 20-25mins till the pudding sets. Mine took 25 minutes. Now put the flame off and let it cool down a bit so that you can handle to take it out from the water.

Once it cools down completely remove the foil and keep it in refrigerator overnight. Unmould the pudding the next morning. You will see the pudding coming out neatly. Now slice according to your choice and serve chill.

If you don't want to keep it in refrigerator and have it immediately after its done then you will find the pudding bit gooey but softer and equally delicious which is my mom's version and I just love it.


I hope you will try  this in your kitchen and enjoy as much as I did. Do give your feedback if you try this version.