Sticky Date and Almond Bread Pudding With Amaretto Zabaglione

Submitted by Gianni 23

"From Epicurious, a fabulous bread pudding that can either dress up a sit down dinner or fill that comfort food craving. The zabaglione isn't critical, but what's not to like about any amaretto recipe."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Yields: 1 large bread pudding
• Serves: 10-12

ingredients

• 8 cups bread cubes, with crust (from one 16-ounce loaf)
• 2 1⁄4 cups chopped pitted medjool dates (about 12 ounces)
• 1⁄2 cup sliced almonds
• 6 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 cup baker's sugar (superfine sugar) or 1 cup sugar
• 3 1⁄2 cups half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon generous ground nutmeg
• powdered sugar
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1⁄3 cup Amaretto or 1/3 cup other almond liqueur
• 3 tablespoons baker's sugar (superfine sugar) or 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄4 cup whipping cream

directions

1. Arrange bread cubes in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Let stand at room temperature to dry overnight.
2. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Transfer bread cubes to prepared dish. Mix dates and almonds in medium bowl. Sprinkle date mixture over bread and toss to distribute evenly. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and egg yolks in large bowl until frothy. Add 1 cup sugar and beat until mixture thickens and is pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Add half and half, vanilla, and nutmeg; beat just until blended. (Bread mixture and custard can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let bread mixture stand uncovered at room temperature. Chill custard; rewhisk before continuing.).
3. Preheat oven to 375°F Pour custard over bread mixture, then press lightly on bread with rubber spatula to submerge. Let stand 15 minutes, occasionally pressing lightly on bread to submerge.
4. Bake bread pudding 25 minutes. Using large spoon, press bread down, allowing custard in dish to rise to surface. Spoon custard evenly over bread mixture. Continue to bake pudding until knife inserted into center of custard comes out clean, about 20 minutes longer.
5. Whisk egg yolks, amaretto, and sugar in medium metal bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water. Whisk mixture constantly and vigorously until thickened and instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 140°F for 3 minutes, about 5 minutes total. Remove mixture from over water. Add cream and whisk until incorporated. Serve warm or chilled.