Dessert History: Bread Pudding | O&H Danish Bakery (2024)

Dessert History: Bread Pudding | O&H Danish Bakery (1) From humble beginnings, bread pudding has come a long way since the 11th century and, depending on what country you get your recipe from, it can be a sweet or savory treat.The original concept for the dessert evolved out of necessity as a way to prevent food waste.Rather than throwing out stale bread that was hard to chew, cooks and homemakers soaked the bread in a sweet liquid, baked the dish in the oven until it was golden and then served it warm.While it was initially called “poor man’s pudding,” as it was popular with the lower class in England, it has now shed its frugal stigma, and you can readily find it in trendy eateries.

What is Bread Pudding?

Dessert History: Bread Pudding | O&H Danish Bakery (2) The possibilities for bread pudding are endless, and over the years, various countries have put their unique and individual twist on this dessert.However, the basic structure of the pudding involves layering cut or torn pieces of bread in a dish, pouring a custard sauce over the layers and baking it in the oven.

While bread is always at the center of this dish, the original recipe was not as luxurious as the custardy treat we make today.Frugal cooks in 11th and 12th century England, where it originated, could only afford to soak the bread in hot water before squeezing it dry and then adding a mix of whatever sugar and spices they had on hand.After the 13th century, when the recipe started to include eggs, milk and a type of fat to soak the bread in, the dessert was more commonly referred to as ‘bread and butter pudding’ rather than ‘poor man’s pudding’ before being shorted further to only ‘bread pudding.’ If you’re wondering why it is called a pudding, it’s because this dish includes a cereal base (the bread) and has a soft and spongy consistency after baking.

What is Bread Pudding Made Out Of?

The basic construction for bread pudding includes placing bread cubes or slices in a dish and then covering it with a sweet egg custard mixture.This mixture may contain eggs, butter, milk or cream, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon or vanilla, which gives the dessert a soft and spongy pudding consistency when baked.Even selecting different types of bread adds to the unique texture and flavor of this culinary dish.It’s why our Dark Chocolate Croissant Pie uses flaky croissant pieces as a substitute for the bread base, giving it a buttery and rich flavor.Other varieties of this pudding include the addition of brown sugar and raisins or apples, such as those made in Belgium, while people in Canada like to add maple syrup.You can include chocolate, nuts, candied citrus peel and other specialty ingredients when making this dessert or for a savory twist, you can add cheese, bacon and mustard.Regardless of which recipe you use, this sweet baked treat tastes extra delicious when you serve it with whiskey, rum or caramel sauce and a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Where Can You Buy Bread Pudding?

Dessert History: Bread Pudding | O&H Danish Bakery (3) When it comes to finding the perfect bread pudding recipe, you don’t need to look any further than our authentic homemade Danish desserts.Our bakery uses the finest ingredients and traditional Danish recipes and baking techniques to create our tasty treats.

When creating our bread puddings, we fill our unique handcrafted crust with vanilla egg soaked Danish pastry pieces before topping with one of our yummy homemade fillings and buttery streusel.You can select our sweet yet slightly tart Danish Cherry bread pudding made with the finest fruits from our home state, Wisconsin, or cover our cinnamon apple bread pudding with caramel sauce for an extra special treat.However, if you can’t decide, we don’t mind if you order both!

Buy Bread Pudding Online from O&H Danish Bakery

With our bread puddings and pastries handcrafted to perfection, you will savor our sweet treats from the first bite.You can easily order our decadent desserts online and have them delivered to your door, so the only thing you need to think about is which delicious sauce or ice cream you will put on top.Reach out to our friendly team with any questions or browse our yummy assortment of baked goods to see what else you can add to your order.

Dessert History: Bread Pudding | O&H Danish Bakery (2024)

FAQs

Why was bread pudding considered poor man's pudding? ›

Bread pudding originated with 11th-century English cooks who repurposed leftover stale bread. In the following centuries, the dish became known as "poor man's pudding" because of the scarcity of food at the time, with the pudding being made only with boiling water, sugar, and spices.

Which country did the dessert called bread pudding come from? ›

Frugal cooks in 11th and 12th century England, where it originated, could only afford to soak the bread in hot water before squeezing it dry and then adding a mix of whatever sugar and spices they had on hand.

What is the origin of the pudding dessert? ›

Food historians generally agree the first puddings made by ancient cooks produced foods similar to sausages. The British claim pudding as part of their culinary heritage. Medieval puddings (black and white) were still mostly meat-based.

Do you eat bread pudding with a spoon or fork? ›

Advice: Ditch the fork – it's completely superfluous – and dig in with the spoon!

Why was the Christmas pudding banned during history? ›

By the mid-1600s, plum pudding was sufficiently associated with Christmas that when Oliver Cromwell came to power in 1647 he had it banned, along with Yule logs, carol-singing and nativity scenes. To Cromwell and his Puritan associates, such merry-making smacked of Druidic paganism and Roman Catholic idolatry.

Why do British people say pudding instead of dessert? ›

The reason for using the word 'pudding' instead of dessert is actually based on the British class system. Traditionally, pudding referred to homely and rustic desserts that were commonly eaten by the lower classes, such as spotted dick and rice pudding.

What was the first dessert made in America? ›

It turns out apple pie was one of the first desserts to be made in America, and there's a pretty interesting story about why the colonists began baking it. The patriotic origins of the classic dessert date back to the 1600s, when the colonists first arrived in America, long before the first Independence Day.

Where is bread pudding popular in the USA? ›

Though a global dish in its origins, bread pudding is now internationally recognized as an iconic dessert of Louisiana, the Gulf Coast, and especially, New Orleans.

What is a German dessert called? ›

Kuchen is the German word for cake, and is used in other languages as the name for several different types of sweet desserts, pastries, and gateaux. Lebkuchen. Often sold at Christmas fairs and Carnival. Leipziger Lerche.

What is British pudding called in America? ›

American puddings are closer to what the Brits would call "custard." A British pudding is a dish, savory or sweet, that's cooked by being boiled or steamed in something: a dish, a piece of cloth, or even animal intestine.

Who invented jello? ›

The original gelatin dessert began in Le Roy, New York, in 1897, when Pearle Bixby Wait trademarked the name Jell-O. He and his wife May had made the product by adding strawberry, raspberry, orange, and lemon flavoring to sugar and granulated gelatin (which had been patented in 1845).

Why is it called Yorkshire pudding? ›

It has been suggested the pudding was given the name “Yorkshire” due to the region's association with coal and the high temperatures this produced that helped to make crispy batter.

Are you supposed to refrigerate bread pudding? ›

Bread Pudding Is Perfect for Making Ahead

Cover it and refrigerate until ready to bake. Let it warm on the counter while your oven preheats and then bake as usual. Note that the longer you soak the bread pudding the softer and more custard-like the interior will be.

Why do we eat pudding at Christmas? ›

It was believed it would bring good luck. In 1644 the Puritans tried to ban the pudding as they said it was 'sinfully rich' and 'unfit for God-fearing people'! In 1714 King George reestablished the pudding and it was enjoyed as a dessert for Christmas.

Is bread pudding supposed to be wet? ›

A good bread pudding needs to be moist -- it is made from custard, after all -- but it should not be anywhere close to runny. Luckily for you, we have a few tips and tricks to share in order to make sure your bread pudding turns out moist and delicious, not wet and runny.

What is the history of poor man's pudding? ›

Pouding chômeur, or “poor man's pudding” in English, was created by women who worked in factories during the depression in Quebec. With limited access to ingredients, the almost-sickly-sweet dessert was the result of necessity: it is a simple and cheap dessert that fed a lot of people.

Why did people start eating black pudding? ›

This humble pudding made from pork fat and blood and sometimes oatmeal or barley were originally made to sell at local markets, to supplement the income of the farm. It also fed the family as part of a traditional breakfast with home-produced rashers and sausages. Ireland has raised black pudding to culinary heights.

Why do Christians eat Christmas pudding? ›

Religious significance

It is believed that a Christmas pudding must contain thirteen ingredients. These ingredients each represent Jesus and each of his twelve disciples. Traditionally, brandy is poured over the Christmas pudding and set aflame before serving. The flames are believed to represent Christ's passion.

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