Basic Bread Pudding Recipe

Butter, for greasing
750 g/1.5 lb stale bread, sliced
350 g/12 oz/2 cups dried mixed fruit (fruit cake mix)
175 g/6 oz/0.75 cup dark brown sugar

15 ml/1 tbsp mixed (apple-pie) spice
50 g/2 oz/0.25 cup caster (superfine) sugar

Cream or custard, to serve

Method:

Butter a large roasting tin (pan). Put the bread in a large bowl. Cover with cold water and leave to soak for 1 hour. Squeeze out all excess water. Return to the bowl and beat until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients except the caster sugar and mix well. Spread in the prepared tin. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F/gas mark 5 for about 1.75 hours until brown and crisp on top. Sprinkle with the caster sugar, leave to cool slightly, then cut into squares. Serve warm or cold with cream or custard. Store any remainder in an airtight container.