Martha Stewart Croissant Bread Pudding Food

CLASSIC BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; set aside. Put bread in a large bowl; set aside. Heat milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until just about to simmer; remove from heat.
• Whisk eggs, yolk, sugar, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, pour cream mixture in a slow, steady stream into egg mixture. Pour over bread; fold to combine. Let stand 30 minutes, tossing and pressing occasionally to submerge bread.
• Meanwhile, soak raisins in 1 cup boiling water for 30 minutes.
• Drain; stir raisins into bread mixture. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a slotted spoon, transfer bread to buttered dish; pour liquid in bowl over top. Using spoon, turn top layer of bread crust side up.
• Set dish in a roasting pan; transfer to oven. Pour boiling water into pan to reach about halfway up sides of dish. Bake until golden brown, about 50 minutes. Let dish cool on a rack 10 to 20 minutes.

CROISSANTS

Steps:

• Make the dough: Stir yeast, water, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a bowl. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Butter a large bowl; set aside. Put bread flour, all-purpose flour, remaining 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar, and the salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook; mix on low speed until combined. Add yeast mixture, milk, and butter; mix until dough just comes together.
• Knead dough: Scrape dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Using lightly floured hands, knead until smooth, about 3 minutes. Transfer to buttered bowl, turning to coat.
• Let dough rise: Cover dough with plastic wrap; transfer to the refrigerator. Let rise until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours (dough should not spring back when you press it with your finger).
• Make the butter package: About 45 minutes after the dough begins rising, put flour and butter into the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until well combined, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape butter mixture out onto a piece of parchment paper; shape into a rectangle. Top with parchment, and roll out to an 8-by-10-inch rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet, and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Roll out dough: Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface; shape into a rectangle. Roll out to a 10 1/2-by-16-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick, with short side facing you.
• Place butter package on dough: The butter package should be cool but pliable; your finger should leave an indentation but the butter should still hold its shape. If too soft, continue to refrigerate; if too firm, let stand at room temperature briefly. Place horizontally on bottom half of dough; remove parchment. Fold top half of dough over butter package, and pinch edges of dough to seal.
• Roll in butter: Turn dough so that a short side is facing you and the seam is on the right. Roll out to a 10-by-20-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick (keep the corners as square as possible).
• Fold dough into thirds: Remove any excess flour with a pastry brush. Starting at the far end, fold rectangle in thirds as you would a business letter (this completes the first of 3 "turns").
• Mark dough: Mark the dough with your knuckle (later, this will help you remember how many turns have been completed). Wrap dough in plastic, and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Repeat process: Remove from refrigerator, and press the dough; it should be pliable but have some resistance. If too soft, return to refrigerator; if too firm, let stand at room temperature, 5 minutes. Repeat the preceding three steps to complete two more turns (make 2 marks for the second turn and 3 marks for the third turn); always start with a short side facing you and the seam on the right, rolling lengthwise before crosswise. After the second turn, wrap dough in plastic, and refrigerate 1 hour. After the third and final turn, wrap dough in plastic, and refrigerate 8 hours (or overnight).
• Roll out and chill dough: Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface, and roll out to a 30-by-16-inch rectangle. If dough becomes unmanageable, cut in half crosswise, and roll out two 15-by-16-inch rectangles (refrigerate 1 piece as you work with the other). Chill in freezer 15 minutes. Remove dough, and remeasure: It should match original dimensions; if not, roll out again. If dough becomes too warm or elastic, chill in freezer, 15 minutes.
• Cut dough: Cut dough into two 30-by-8-inch rectangles (or four 15-by-8-inch rectangles). Stack rectangles, lining up edges (if you have four smaller rectangles, make two stacks).
• Trim dough and cut into triangles: Using a pastry or pizza wheel and cutting at a 20-degree angle, trim a small wedge from one short side to create an angled side. Cut dough into triangles, each with a 4 1/2-inch base. You should have about 20 total.
• Cut slits: Cut a 1-inch slit in the middle of the base of each triangle. Separate the stacks, transferring half the triangles to a parchment-lined baking sheet; cover, and refrigerate.
• Begin shaping croissants: Working with one triangle at a time and keeping remaining triangles covered with a clean kitchen towel, hold the two corners of the base, and stretch to lengthen it slightly. Grasp inner corners formed by the slit in the base, and lift and stretch them toward the outer sides of the triangle; press to seal.
• Roll croissants: Using your fingertips, roll the base of the triangle up and away from you, stretching the dough slightly outward as you roll to elongate the point (when finished, the point should be tucked under the croissant).
• Finish shaping croissants: Bend the two ends toward you to form a crescent shape (the ends should almost touch). Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing croissants 2 inches apart. Repeat with remaining triangles. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place until croissants have doubled in bulk and are very soft, 1 1/2 hours to 2 1/4 hours, depending on the temperature of room.
• Brush with egg: Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. Brush tops of croissants with egg. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until croissants are puffed and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool slightly on sheets on wire racks. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MARTHA'S BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 3-quart baking dish and set aside. Combine currants and brandy in a small saucepan and heat over medium just until warm. Remove from heat, then cover and let stand 15 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons brandy.
• In a large bowl whisk together eggs, reserved brandy, salt, and sugar to combine. Add milk, cream, citrus zests, and orange juice to bowl and whisk until mixture is smooth and well-combined; stir in currants.
• Add half of brioche pieces to prepared baking dish; covering the bottom and shingling pieces as needed to fit. Ladle about half of egg mixture over top. Repeat layering with remaining half of bread pieces and egg mixture.
• Transfer dish to oven and bake 30 minutes. Remove dish and cover with parchment paper; return to oven and continue to bake until top is golden brown and custard is set, about 20 minutes more. Transfer to wire rack and let cool 10 to 20 minutes before serving.

CROISSANT BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole eggs, egg yolks, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Set the custard mixture aside. Slice the croissants in half horizontally. In a 10 by 15 by 2 1/2-inch oval baking dish, distribute the bottoms of the sliced croissants, then add the raisins, then the tops of the croissants (brown side up), being sure the raisins are between the layers of croissants or they will burn while baking. Pour the custard over the croissants and allow to soak for 10 minutes, pressing down gently.
• Place the pan in a larger one filled with 1-inch of hot water. Cover the larger pan with aluminum foil, tenting the foil so it doesn't touch the pudding. Cut a few holes in the foil to allow steam to escape. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 40 to 45 more minutes or until the pudding puffs up and the custard is set. Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CROISSANT PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly butter a small oval (or other shallow 1 1/2- to 2-quart) baking dish; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, milk, and salt until combined. Add croissants; toss to coat. Let sit, turning occasionally, until they have absorbed some of the liquid, about 10 minutes. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish; smooth top with a spatula. Scatter with almonds.
• Bake until pudding has puffed up and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving with whipped cream, if desired.

APPLE PIE BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack set in the lower third of the oven. Lightly butter a 9-inch pie plate; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together cream, milk, and eggs. Add brioche and gently toss to coat. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to soak.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and add granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, spices, and salt; stir until smooth and well combined. Add apples and toss to coat.
• Gently fold apple mixture into the bread mixture until well combined. Spoon bread and apple mixture into prepared pie plate, then pour remaining liquid over top just to fill to the edge of the dish (you may not use all of it). Sprinkle with turbinado sugar, if desired.
• Bake, covered with parchment-lined foil, for 45 minutes (with a parchment-lined baking sheet placed at the bottom of the oven to catch drips). Uncover and continue to bake until bread pudding is golden brown and set in the center, 30 to 35 minutes more. Let sit on a wire rack 10 to 20 minutes before serving with ice cream. Bread pudding is best served warm, but can be kept refrigerated, tightly covered, up to 3 days.

BOURBON BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Make the pudding: Preheat oven to 350 degrees with a rack set in the lower third of the oven. Lightly butter and 9-by-13-inch baking dish; set aside.
• Place bread in a large bowl. Add half-and-half and toss to soak. Set aside at room temperature.
• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and add both sugars and vanilla; stir until smooth and well combined.
• In a medium bowl, whisk eggs. Whisk in butter mixture until smooth and well combined. Pour over bread tossing until well combined.
• Pour bread mixture into prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle raisins over top and gently work into pudding, making sure liquid covers the bread. Cover baking dish with parchment paper-lined aluminum foil. Transfer to oven and bake for 55 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until bread pudding is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Make the glaze: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and add bourbon and confectioners' sugar, stirring until incorporated. Add cream and mix until smooth. Pour glaze over top of bread pudding and let stand 15 minutes before serving. Bread pudding is best served warm, but can be kept refrigerated, tightly covered, for up to 4 days.

AMARETTO BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Place bread cubes, half and half, sugar, eggs, almond extract and almonds in large mixing bowl.
• Mix until well combined.
• Pour mixture into a buttered 9 x 13 inch pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F.
• for 35 minutes or until set.
• When pudding is almost finished baking, place butter in a saucepan and melt slowly.
• Add powdered sugar and beaten egg.
• Mix quickly so that the egg doesn't cook before it is incorporated.
• Cook until smooth and incorporated.
• Add almond liqueur.
• Cut pudding into 12 squares and serve warm with warmed sauce and whipping cream.
• NOTE: I found it easier to mix all liquids and sugar together first, then add bread.

CROISSANT BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or rub with butter.
• Place croissant cubes in the bottom of pan.
• Sprinkle cubes with pecan pieces.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine milk and heavy cream. Whisk in both sugars, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon. Combine until smooth and well blended. Pour over the top of croissant cubes and pecans. Very gently press down cubes so they are all moist.
• Cover with foil and refrigerate for 1-3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Uncover and bake for 35-40 minutes. It should be nicely browned and slightly jiggly.
• Let sit for 5-10 minutes as it will be very hot. Top each serving with vanilla ice cream or some type of warm caramel sauce.