STICKY BREAD PUDDING RECIPES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, toss pecans with brown sugar. In a small heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Heat 5-7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring constantly; stir into pecan mixture., Remove 12 of the pecans; place on foil to cool. Transfer half of the remaining pecan mixture to a food processor; process until smooth. Add remaining pecan mixture; pulse until chopped., Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon and salt until blended. Stir in bread; let stand about 15 minutes or until bread is softened. Add pecan mixture, stirring gently to swirl (do not combine completely)., For topping, divide butter among 12 ungreased muffin cups; sprinkle with brown sugar. Spoon bread mixture into cups. Bake 35-40 minutes or until a knife in the center comes out clean., Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Run a knife around edges of cups; invert onto dessert plates. Serve warm; top with whipped cream and reserved pecans.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3.
• Put dates and bicarb of soda in a pan, barely cover with water and simmer until you get a thick 'mush'.
• Butter one side of your Brioche slices or, if you're using rolls, cut them in half and butter each half. Arrange the brioche and date mixture in alternate layers in an oven-proof dish, starting and ending with a Brioche slice.
• Beat the yolks, vanilla and sugar in a bowl. Heat the cream until scalding and then mix little by little into the egg mixture. Pour over the layered Brioche and leave to sink in for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle the top with some brown sugar.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until the custard mixture has set and the top is golden brown.
• Whilst cooking, make the sauce by putting the butter, syrup and sugar in a bowl and bringing to the boil. Stir until it's smooth, remove from the heat and add the cream and brandy, stir and return to the heat briefly. Keep warm and serve with the pudding.