Description
Summer pudding emerges as a quintessential British dessert showcasing seasonal berries and delicate bread layers. Simple ingredients and elegant technique deliver a refreshing chilled treat you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 450 g (1 pint / 16 oz) strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 375 g (3 half-pints / 12 oz) raspberries, divided
- 250 g (2 half-pints / 8 oz) blueberries
- 300 g (1 ½ cups) caster sugar
- 3 tbsps caster sugar
- 2 tbsps framboise (raspberry brandy)
- 1 tbsp dark rum
- 1 loaf brioche or egg bread (450–700 g)
- 240 ml (1 cup) cold double cream
- 240 ml (1 cup) cold double cream
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Berry Compote Preparation: Gently simmer strawberries, sugar, and water in a large saucepan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, coaxing out the fruits’ natural essence and creating a vibrant base.
- Fruit Fusion: Introduce raspberries and blueberries to the saucepan, allowing them to dance in a gentle simmer for a minute. Remove from heat and tenderly fold in remaining raspberries and framboise liqueur, creating a luscious fruit symphony.
- Bread Artistry: Meticulously trim brioche, crafting uniform slices without crusts. Cascade a portion of berry mixture into a soufflé dish, establishing a juicy foundation for the pudding’s architectural design.
- Layering Technique: Construct an intricate mosaic of bread and berry mixture, ensuring each slice becomes thoroughly saturated. Alternate layers with precision, allowing the bread to absorb the vibrant fruit essence completely.
- Compression and Chilling: Top the final bread layer with remaining syrup, then envelop with plastic wrap. Position a weighted plate atop the dish, compelling the pudding to compress and marry its flavors during an 8-hour refrigeration journey.
- Overnight Refinement: After initial chilling, remove weight and rewrap, permitting the pudding to continue developing its complex flavor profile throughout the night.
- Rum Whipped Cream Finale: Whip cream to soft peaks, gradually incorporating sugar, vanilla, and rum. Continue whisking until the cream transforms into a glossy, decadent accompaniment.
- Elegant Presentation: Liberate the pudding from its dish with a swift, confident inversion. Slice into refined wedges and crown with a luxurious dollop of rum-infused whipped cream, creating a visually stunning dessert.
Notes
- Chill Thoroughly: Refrigeration is crucial for melding flavors and achieving the perfect texture, so allow 6-8 hours initial chilling and an overnight rest for best results.
- Layer Strategically: Saturate each bread slice completely with berry mixture to ensure rich, even flavor distribution throughout the pudding.
- Compress Carefully: Using a weight during chilling helps create a dense, cohesive dessert that holds its shape when unmolded.
- Prepare Ahead: This dessert benefits from advance preparation, making it an ideal make-ahead option for stress-free entertaining.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Drinks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 61 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg