bread pudding

Bacon doesn't do anything wrong — and that certain truth applies to everything, including the blank canvas of bread. Here, Monica Bennett shows how, when combined, bacon, apples, and sage make for a killer sweet-salty bread pudding.

For the recipe, check out her blog — and share your latest culinary creations with us in the YumSugar Community.

What's thick, creamy, custardy, and has a strong pumpkin flavor? If you answered pumpkin pie, think again! I'm talking about this fast and easy but oh-so-delicious pumpkin bread pudding recipe.

All you have to do is whisk together the liquid ingredients with traditional pumpkin-pie spices and toss with day-old bread. Then you bake, and in 25 minutes you'll have a warm dessert that's scrumptious enough to be the Thanksgiving finale.

Serve with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream and your guests will be happy and satisfied. It's also transportable and can be made ahead, making it a great dessert for entertaining. Get the effortless method now.

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• Must make: rhubarb bread pudding with whiskey sauce. — Serious Eats

I've been known to serve bread pudding at Easter for dessert, but this year, I found myself torn between a sweet rendition with mangoes and chai spice, and a savory version with asparagus and Camembert cheese — so I'm making both! Because plain white breads such as challah, brioche, or pullman loaves have a neutral flavor, they work well as the filling either when baking bread pudding for dessert or as a side dish. Regardless of whether you go for the sweet or the salty, make the flavors current by maximizing ingredients in store now. Use fruits like mango or vegetables such as asparagus. For both recipes, read on.

If you're looking for a project this weekend, why not make a wonderful and delicious brunch? This strata is the perfect way to start any day. It's decadent and rich without being too filling. A strata is similar to a savory bread pudding; basically it's layers of bread, prosciutto, cheese, and vegetables covered in an egg milk mixture and baked.

The resulting dish is puffy, flavorful, and absolutely wonderful. I especially enjoy this recipe because it has to be made the night before, meaning the day you want to enjoy it all you have to do is pop it in the oven and bake! Oh, and unless you want a burnt strata, when you make it, try not to fall asleep on the couch while it cooks. Learn the technique by reading more.

Although my Christmastime kitchen is mostly at capacity this month with all the cookie swapping and edible gifting, I'll always make room in the oven for some comforting chocolate bread pudding. Steamy, fluffy bread pudding, I've concluded, is the never-fail solution to inclement Winter weather, and stirring in some chocolate makes it 10 times better. If I've got the time, I prepare it using leftover croissant bread and baking chocolate — but you can also shave off an hour by using frozen French toast slices instead. Learn to make either one after the jump.

Planning an almost meatless feast or vegetarian meal this Thanksgiving? If you were fretting about a main course that can compete with the bird as the star of the supper, you can stop worrying; I've found one for you!

I'm not sure if any entrée can ever be all things to all people, but this savory bread pudding is as close as it gets. It's wholesome, with kale, butternut squash, and shallots, yet at the same time hearty and satisfying. Want to impress herbivores and carnivores alike? Keep reading.