Vanilla Pudding with Bourbon Macerated Strawberries Recipe

This recipe for Vanilla Pudding with Bourbon Macerated Strawberries & Cornbread Crumble is inspired by a dish we served in the restaurant I worked at last summer – it brought me such joy, and by the simplicity of the change in seasons, and the yummy things the farmers – and neighbours – are growing.

Because hell kids, life finds a way.

I’ve used the term “pudding” loosely in this recipe – it can also be called a creme, pot de creme, or custard. I kept it simple with “pudding.” Whatever you call it, make sure you put it in your mouth. Seriously, do it, swoon, and thank me later.

Table of Contents Show

Vanilla Pudding Recipe

Equipment

Ingredients 1x2x3x

For the pudding:

For the strawberries:

For the cornbread crumble (optional):

To serve:

Instructions

For the pudding:

For the bourbon macerated strawberries:

For the cornbread crumble (optional):

To serve:

Notes

Vanilla Pudding Recipe

When I say “treat yo’self,” what’s the first thing you reach for? Decadent moist chocolate cake? The best margarita you’ve ever had? A luscious afternoon watching Jeff Goldblum eye candy?

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Equipment

• Oven
• Small saucepan
• Sharp knife
• teaspoon
• Bowl
• roasting pan
• Wire Rack
• stirrer

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the pudding:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 1 piece vanilla bean
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 6 pieces egg yolks
• 2 tbsp white sugar

For the strawberries:

• 2 cups fresh or defrosted frozen strawberries (approx. 1 pint) cut into halves
• 2 tbsp cane or brown sugar (2 tsp white sugar will also work, but you'll get a sweeter sauce)
• 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey
• Pinch of sea salt

For the cornbread crumble (optional):

• ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 cup stale cornbread (store or restaurant bought, or homemade, crumbled into small pieces
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch of salt

To serve:

• Fresh whipped cream, sprig of fresh mint

Instructions

 

For the pudding:

• Place six clean oven-safe individual sized ramekins in a high-rimmed roasting dish and preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
• As the oven comes to temp., place the cream and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the sticky seeds inside with a small sharp knife or the curve of a teaspoon. Add the seeds to the mixture. Heat until small bubbles form around the edge of the saucepan, stirring regularly. Remove from heat.
  
• Whisk the egg yolks, vanilla, and white sugar in a medium bowl until combined.
• Gently pour just a few drops or so of the hot cream into the eggs, whisking constantly. Once the mixture is warm, very slowly pour the egg mixture into the hot cream, again, whisking constantly. This slowly tempers the eggs so they don't cook and become all chunky in the pudding.
• Divide the creme equally among the ramekins, leaving 1/4" of headspace at the top.
  
• Pull the middle rack of the oven out a few inches. Place the roasting pan on the rack. Fill the roasting pan with hot water (I use a kettle of boiled water for ease) so it reaches halfway up the outside of the ramekins. Carefully slide the rack back into the oven. Bake 35-40 minutes. The top should have a set texture like pumpkin pie while the centers will still be a little jiggly.
• Very carefully pull the roasting pan out of the oven. Set on a wire rack for 15 minutes to cool slightly. Remove the ramekins from the hot water bath and place in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours to cool completely.

For the bourbon macerated strawberries:

• Place all ingredients in a non-reactive bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature for up to 48 hours. Stir occasionally.
  
• Try to control yourself; these are for the pudding.

For the cornbread crumble (optional):

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl, tossing well to evenly coat.
  
• Place in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until gently crisp (they'll firm up more as they cool.)
• Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

To serve:

• Assemble! Pull the ramekins of pudding from the fridge and gently top with fresh whipped cream, bourbon macerated strawberries, a sprinkling of cornbread crumble, and a sprig of fresh mint.
  

Notes

Fruit forward. While I used frozen strawberries in this recipe, use whatever frozen fruit you have on hand. Mixed berries, peaches, pineapple - it would all be delicious. Try what you like best or what's locally in season.

Vanilla bean. Save the vanilla bean! Use it to make vanilla sugar. Just two cups of sugar + bean + 2 weeks in an airtight container = vanilla sugar for desserts, coffee, tea, sexy times. Shake every couple days.

Keyword vanilla

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