This weekend I had the pleasure of introducing my Grandmother's Bread Pudding to the South Florida Farmer's Market Community. I was thrilled to be able to take a recipe I had followed for 30+ years and "zshush" it up to sell at a Farmer's Market. My Grandmother would be so proud. (I think) She was a very practical woman. She comes from the mindset that we don't buy food, of any kind, that we can make at home. She wouldn't understand that there just isn't enough time in a day to make a 1 hour bread pudding with life the way it is now. Let alone have the time to sit down with family and enjoy it together.
I know it's only my 2nd week at the Farmer's Market but, the people who visit us have no idea how much joy they bring to it. I see them walking, some alone looking for a quick breakfast, some with throngs of family as they have made a trip to the "Market" their Saturday ritual, and then there are the special ones...The 92 year old Grandmother encouraging her beautiful 20 something Granddaughter to try everything as She does, with a great joy for experiencing life! (Abuelita loved the Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip, Btw!)
These are the people I serve. These are the people who are trying to allow themselves the time to enjoy the life they have, instead of scurrying here and there, never really feeling cherished moments fully because they are so quickly on to the next task or event.
I know that my Grandmother (VoVo), would be happy, right along with me, when I saw the smiles of the Grandmothers and Children, after they took that one bite of the sample and rolled their eyes in delight.
With a warm sunny mmmmm, they were hooked and so was I!!!
I have been blessed to be able to bring the moments I so cherish, to the generation who just really doesn't have the time to make them. After-all the Smiles are what I live for!
For those who do have the time and would love to try a Great Handed Down Generation to Generation Recipe...Here you go! Enjoy!
My Caramel Apple Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
8 Eggs
4 Cups of Milk (try to use whole milk)
(I personally use half & half it just really makes a difference in the custard. Thinner milk will make it too wet and will leave a watery residue after baking)
1 1/2 cups Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla
1/4 tsp Salt
1 tsp Lemon Juice
6 Cups Bread (cubed) (I use a hearty Italian bread, soaks up the eggs well, not much liquid left over)
3 cups Diced Apple "about 6 medium Apples" (set aside 1 cup)
1/4 cup Cinnamon
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2 tbsp cold Butter
1 can Sweetened condensed milk
1 cup Caramel Sauce (Love this recipe or a Good Bottled Caramel (Ghirardelli is Great!)
Grease a Baking Vessel
*note: The Deeper the vessel, the longer the baking time*
I sometimes use a nice deep large Souffle dish for flair, but it takes alot longer to bake.
Preheat Oven to 350° f
Prep:
Slice Bread into Cubes (not too small, a little bigger than crouton size)
Core and Dice Apples (sprinkle with lemon juice if desired to reduce oxidizing)
Cut butter into Brown Sugar (set aside)
Instructions:
Beat Eggs and Sugar, until Sugar has dissolved and you obtain the consistency of ribbons.
Add Milk, Vanilla, Lemon and Salt. Beat until well combined.
Add cubed bread to Egg (custard) mixture.
Combine and set aside for 30 minutes to allow bread to soak up custard.
After 30 minutes, Sprinkle mixture with half of the cinnamon.(1/8 cup / 2 tbsp) Combine.
Add 2 cups of the Apples.
Combine Mixture Well.
Pour Mixture into Prepared Baking Vessel.
Add remaining Cinnamon to Brown Sugar and Butter.
Sprinkle Brown Sugar Mixture and remaining apples over the top of Bread Mixture. Pour the Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk over the top of the apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour to 90 minutes (9x13 pan)
If using deeper pan continue baking until inserted skewer comes out clean
**If bread pudding starts to take on too much color before bottom is baked through, cover with foil.
Upon removing Bread pudding from the oven Drizzle the Caramel Sauce Liberally over the top. Allow to cool, or serve warm with whipped cream and remaining caramel sauce.
Enjoy!
If you have a moment and are in the South Florida Community,
Please stop by and visit our Community Farmer's Market!
You will be so glad you did. Click on the photo for details!
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