Apricot Bread Pudding with Meringue

Bread pudding is... delicious. With the changing seasons, I find myself craving the warm and spicy and steamy sweet delicious foods. Summer flew by without much to say, but the crisp early morning air cries out for attention. not much to say besides life is stressful! but food makes it bearable :-)

Recipe modified from here

Meringue Bread Pudding

6 ounces sweet bread
1/2 c apricot jam
1 c milk
1/2 c heavy cream
2 eggs
2 T sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/2 T vanilla
1 pinch salt
Amaretto for drizzling

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Slice the brioche into rough slices.

• Spread each slice of bread with jam, layering the slices in a 2 quart souffle dish. Drizzle some amaretto over the slices
• Mix the milk, cream, eggs, sugar and vanilla, and beat until the egg is thoroughly incorporated. Pour the egg mixture over the brioche. Let sit for about 5 minutes to let the bread soak in custard
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  

Meringue:

2 egg whites
2 T sugar
1 pinch salt

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place a shiny cookie sheet, shiny side down, on the top rack of the oven on the highest setting, and the other rack on the lowest rung.
• Beat egg whites and salt until fluffy. Slowly add sugar, and beat until stiff peaks form.
• Spread meringue over the top of the bread pudding, making little peaks as you go

• Place pudding on lowest rack of the oven, beneath the cookie sheet.
  
• Bake the pudding for about 8 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown. Serve warm.

look at those peaks...

MMMmmmm

to be honest, i was a little bit disappointed with the bread pudding. Yes, it was warm and delicious... and yes, the apricot and the amaretto and cinnamon made an amazingly warm combination of flavors in your mouth... and yes... the meringue topping was just the perfect touch of fluffy toasty sweetness and the wine we drank was a great match for the dessert... but I wanted it to be more puddinglike... i wanted it to jiggle and ooze with cream and juices... but it didn't. it was dry. i guess next time, i'll just up the liquids :-)

but otherwise.... it was delicious.