Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Bailey’s Crème Anglaise for St. Patrick’s Day Dessert
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to visit on Saturday mornings to discover all things locally grown and produced. The winter market currently hosts 40 vendors at Wilton Mall and is a unique experience to shop your weekly staples and special occasions like St. Patrick’s Day dinner items. Check out this week’s recipe and then shop the market;
Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Bailey’s Crème Anglaise
Recipes adapted from Bake It with Love
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Serves: Approximately 12
Ingredients
*ingredients available at the market
Irish Soda Bread Pudding
1 loaf Irish Soda Bread (one day old is best, hand torn or cut into cubes)*
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup golden raisins
2 cups half & half
1 cup whole milk
4 large eggs*
2 large egg yolks*
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup nutmeg
Bailey’s Creme Anglaise
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 large egg yolks*
1/4 cup sugar
1-3 tablespoons Bailey’s Irish cream (to taste)
Butter
Directions Irish Soda Bread Pudding
Soak both raisins and golden raisins in warm water for 30 minutes prior to starting your bread pudding. Rinse and drain.
Butter your baking dish (2.5 qt casserole dish or 9 x 13 pan).
Tear your Irish soda bread loaf into chunks (you may not need the whole loaf to fill your pan).
Layer the torn bread chunks with the soaked raisins. (Layer in thirds; a layer of ⅓ of the torn bread chunks, topped with a third of the raisins and then repeat two more times until your dish is full but not overly full. The bread will expand, you do not want your bread pudding overflowing.)
In a large mixing bowl, combine the half & half and whole milk, eggs, yolks, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Whisk until well combined, then pour over the layered bread chunks and raisins in your baking dish. Top with additional freshly grated nutmeg, if desired.
If your pudding mixture does not come to the bottom edge of the top lip of your baking dish, you can use milk to top off the bread pudding. You want your bread pretty well covered with liquid.
Allow your bread pudding to soak in the mixture for about 30 minutes, then preheat your oven to 320 degrees F and make sure that your oven racks are in the middle of the oven.
Bake your Irish soda bread pudding for 55-60 minutes, or until the pudding is firm in the center of your baking dish. The top will be golden brown and the pudding will be set between the bread pieces. Remove from the oven when done and allow it to cool before serving.
If using a 9 x 13 pan, you will have a thinner layer of your bread pudding. Check this at 40-45 minutes as it will bake faster.
Serve portions of your Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Bailey’s Crème Anglaise poured over each serving.
Directions Bailey’s Creme Anglaise
In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and heavy cream. Bring the milk to a low simmer, then remove from heat.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, sugar, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Gradually whisk in a bit of the hot milk, adding a drizzle more each time to temper the eggs (and prevent curdling the eggs).
Return the custard to your saucepan and stir over low heat until the crème anglaise thickens and the egg is completely cooked (about 4-5 minutes). DO NOT BOIL.
Transfer the sauce to a bowl (you can strain it, if desired, for a super smooth crème anglaise). Allow the creme to fully cool before serving or storing it in the refrigerator.
Note: Typically you can find Irish Soda Bread during St. Patrick’s Day season at Katie Bakes Gluten Free and Sweet Treats by Jennifer. Muddy Trail Jerky co sells vanilla extract. Eggs are typically available at Grazin’ Acres, Holly and Vine Farm, Kokinda Farms and Jireh (eggs currently at sweet treats).
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is currently open Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., November through April at Wilton Mall Food Court; accessible from the mall entrance across from BJs. The CDTA’s 450 (from Schenectady) and 452 (from Skidmore College via downtown Saratoga) run to the Mall hourly Saturday mornings.
Visit www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
