Prue Leith, renowned baking expert and judge on The Great British Baking Show, elevates the humble bread pudding with her recipe for Croissant Bread Pudding with Chocolate, Hazelnuts, and Pear. This decadent dessert, featured in her cookbook Life’s Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom, transforms day-old croissants into a luxurious treat perfect for any occasion, especially during the festive season. The aroma of cinnamon, pears, and caramelized sugar creates a comforting and celebratory atmosphere. While ideal for winter, this bread pudding is delicious year-round.
Transforming Leftovers into Luxury
Leith emphasizes that while any leftover bread works, richer options like brioche, panettone, or croissants yield the best results. The recipe’s versatility extends beyond bread choices; plums, bananas, or apple slices can easily substitute for pears. This adaptability makes it a fantastic way to utilize leftover ingredients and reduce food waste, while still creating a truly impressive dish.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Decadence
The recipe begins with preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing an 11×7-inch baking dish. Day-old croissants are sliced horizontally and generously spread with chocolate-hazelnut spread, such as Nutella. Each croissant half is then sandwiched back together, cut into thirds, and arranged in the prepared dish. Pear slices are nestled between the croissant pieces, adding a fresh and fruity counterpoint to the rich chocolate and buttery pastry.
The Creamy Custard Foundation
The heart of this bread pudding lies in its rich custard. Heavy cream, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt are whisked together to create a smooth and flavorful base. This mixture is poured over the croissants and pears, ensuring they are fully submerged. The dish is then covered with foil and baked for 20 minutes. After this initial baking period, the foil is removed, and the pudding continues baking for another 25 minutes, allowing the top to turn a beautiful golden brown and the custard to set completely. Finally, the dessert is sprinkled with toasted hazelnuts for added texture and flavor.
A Dessert Worth Savoring
This Croissant Bread Pudding serves six and requires only 15 minutes of active preparation time, with a total time of one hour. The result is a truly indulgent dessert that perfectly balances rich, comforting flavors with a touch of elegance. Whether enjoyed as a warm winter treat or a special occasion centerpiece, Prue Leith’s Croissant Bread Pudding is sure to impress. This recipe is a testament to the fact that simple ingredients, combined with thoughtful technique, can create extraordinary results.
