Good old time favourite

It is hard to know where to start writing one of my first blogs. What will be interesting? Am I oversharing? Can I do this?

I was at a symposium at the weekend and one of the authors on the panel said if you are considering writing (she was referring to writing a book) just do it. Here goes!

Earlier this week I shared a special evening with my parents and my youngest son. Following his singing recital (he CAN sing – I’ll share that another day), we went for dinner. We shared a lovely meal, wine and some time to catch up (my parents live on a farm so times together are limited).

When it came to dessert, my father immediately responded to the waitress with an enthusiastic “yes” for the bread and butter pudding. My son turned to me and asked me what that was. I couldn’t believe that I’ve never made this for him before (probably because my husband is not a fan!).

I love good old-fashioned, somewhat stodgy puddings and promised that I would make him one.

I’m sharing this yum recipe with you. As Eartha Kitt sang – “I’m just an old fashioned girl.”

Bread and butter pudding

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups milk
• 300 ml cream (I used thickened cream)
• 8 thick slices white bread, crusts removed
• 40g soft butter
• 1/2 cup sultanas (add more if you desire)
• 2 tablespoons raw sugar
• Vanilla ice cream or cream to serve

Pre-heat the oven to 180C/160C if fan-forced. Grease a 5cm deep 30cm base (approx) baking dish. Whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, milk and cream in bowl.

Spread both sides of bread with butter. Cut each in half diagonally and arrange half the bread in rows in the dish, sprinkle with half the sultanas. Repeat with remaining bread and sultanas.

Pour egg mixture over the bread. Sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden and set.

Serve with ice cream or cream.