Description
This Hokkaido Milk Bread Pudding is a creamy and comforting dessert featuring soft, pillowy Hokkaido milk bread soaked in a rich custard made from whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, and warm spices. Baked to a golden perfection, this pudding offers a delightful texture and subtly sweet flavors, enhanced optionally with plump raisins for added indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups Hokkaido milk bread, cubed (about 6–8 slices)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
For Preparation
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with the unsalted butter to prevent sticking and add richness to the pudding’s crust.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming a creamy custard base.
- Add Bread and Raisins: Gently fold the cubed Hokkaido milk bread into the custard mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. If you’re including raisins, stir them in at this stage to distribute evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the soaked bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly to allow even cooking and browning.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The pudding is done when the top turns a beautiful golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pudding from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. This resting time allows it to set slightly for easier serving and enhances the flavors. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Hokkaido milk bread’s soft and fluffy texture absorbs the custard beautifully, but you can substitute with other soft white breads if needed.
- Raisins are optional; you can replace them with other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped nuts for variety.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of bourbon or rum to the custard mixture (optional).
- This bread pudding can be served with a drizzle of caramel sauce, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Make sure the eggs are fully incorporated to ensure a smooth custard and well-set pudding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
