Use any leftover bread rolls to make bread pudding
Bread pudding is a classic for good reason. It's reliable, easy to make, inexpensive, and delicious. Plus, when barbecue season rolls around, it's a great way to use up leftover hamburger buns—creating the perfect combination of ingenuity, savings, and flavor!
A basic bread pudding recipe usually calls for stale white bread, but to substitute it with rolls, simply cut them into cubes and mix them with beaten eggs and cinnamon. Combine milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, pour the mixture over the rolls, and bake. That's it!
If you prefer a firmer texture, bake the pudding as soon as possible; the less time the bread pieces soak, the firmer they will be. If you prefer a creamier texture, soak the bread rolls for a few minutes before baking. This will allow them to absorb the liquid and soften, giving the dessert a smooth, almost cake-like texture.
Ways to improve your bread pudding
With just a few simple additions, you can give your bread pudding a special touch. One example is so easy it almost seems like cheating: bourbon. Yes, infusing the caramel sauce with the finest Kentucky bourbon and pouring it over the freshly baked dessert will give it a sweet, smoky aroma. It's the perfect dessert for a barbecue (for the grown-ups, of course), and it pairs beautifully with other smoky dishes. This version works best with brioche rolls, but a potato roll offers a softer texture and a similar sweetness. You can also add a splash of bourbon to the custard mixture.
You can also opt for a Mediterranean version. Substitute the regular raisins in your pudding with pitted and chopped dates, evenly distributed; to finish, sprinkle the dessert with sumac, a spice that can surprisingly transform any dessert. Using sesame or poppy seed rolls will add a delicious nutty note that complements the dish.
Finally, you can also opt for a savory version, transforming your bread pudding into a creamy strata, perfect for breakfast. Somewhere between a casserole and savory French toast, a strata can be filled with almost anything! You can use ham and cheese, bacon and sausage, or even roasted vegetables like peppers and mushrooms. We recommend using a pretzel roll or a kaiser roll; both will give it a saltier flavor and a crispier crust. Whichever roll you choose, the result is sure to be delicious!
