Bread and Butter Puddings

Asked by Unknown. Answered on 2nd January 2016

Full question

I have made the delicious My Grandmother's Ginger Jam Bread And Butter Pudding before with great success. I have just found that I don't have any raisins but I do have a new packet of cranberries. I know it's a silly query but would it ruin the dish using the cranberries? Thanks

In Nigella's Bread And Butter Pudding recipe from "A Taste of My Life" is it essential to toast the bread beforehand? Wouldn't it just crisp up anyway during cooking? Bit worried about burning it! Secondly, can I substitute Dry Sherry or Port as I haven't any Marsala? Thanks, Judy

Our answer

Nigella's Grandmother's Ginger Jam Bread And Butter Pudding (from Nigella Bites and on the Nigella website) recipe uses sultanas (golden raisins) or raisins as both of these are sweet. Whilst you could use cranberrries, these tend to have a slightly sour tang to them. Some people are fond of a sweet and sour contrast and others are not, so it depends on your personal taste as to whether you would like to use cranberries in the pudding.

Toasting the bread or brioche before using it in a bread and butter pudding can help to dry the bread out a little, particularly if it is very fresh or a squidgy loaf. If the bread is on the dry side then it soaks up more of the egg-rich custard mixture before baking. However if you are nervous of toasting you could dry the bread out slightly instead by putting slices on a wire rack and leaving out on a counter top for a day.