Description
A savory and comforting Ham and Cheese Bread Pudding featuring day-old sourdough bread soaked in a rich egg and cream custard with shallots, ham, and sharp cheddar cheese, baked to golden perfection and topped with fresh chives.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Aromatics
- 12 oz sourdough bread, day old
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 shallots, minced
Custard
- 10 eggs
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- pinch white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Fillings and Toppings
- 4 oz thick-sliced cooked ham, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Cut the day-old sourdough bread into cubes. If using fresh bread, dry it in the oven at 225˚F for 30 minutes to remove moisture.
- Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 350˚F to prepare for baking the pudding.
- Sauté shallots: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced shallots and cook for 4 minutes until soft and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Make the custard mixture: In a very large bowl, beat together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, and grated nutmeg until well combined.
- Combine ingredients: Stir the cooled shallots, diced ham, fresh thyme leaves, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the custard mixture.
- Assemble the pudding: Pour the mixture into a greased 9” x 13” baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes to let the bread absorb the custard.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes. If the top browns too much during baking, cover the dish loosely with foil to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Sprinkle with chopped fresh chives for garnish. Slice into squares and serve warm.
Notes
- Using day-old bread is best to ensure it absorbs the custard without becoming too soggy.
- If fresh bread is used, drying it in the oven helps achieve the ideal texture.
- You can substitute sharp cheddar cheese with Gruyère or Monterey Jack for different flavor profiles.
- For a milder ham flavor, use cooked deli ham instead of thick-sliced cooked ham.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 275 mg
