Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding

Name: Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 9 servings.
Ingredients: 4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten; 2 cups 2% milk; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves; 2 tablespoons rum, optional; 6 slices day-old French bread (1 inch thick), cubed; 1/3 cup slivered almonds; Vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream

Nothing says the holidays to me than the warming spices of chai. This bread pudding incorporates those flavors to make a dessert that everyone raves about. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California

Ingredients

4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
2 cups 2% milk
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons rum, optional
6 slices day-old French bread (1 inch thick), cubed
1/3 cup slivered almonds
Vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk together first 9 ingredients and, if desired, rum. Gently stir in bread; let stand 15 minutes or until bread is softened.
Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with almonds.
Bake, uncovered, until puffed, golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 180 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.

Originally published as Chai Spiced Bread Pudding in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2018