Description
Queen of Puddings is a classic British dessert featuring a baked breadcrumb custard base topped with a layer of tangy raspberry jam and finished with a fluffy, golden meringue. This comforting pudding is perfect served warm with cream or custard, offering a delightful combination of creamy, fruity, and sweet textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 500 ml Whole Milk
- 100 g Fresh Breadcrumbs
- 25 g Unsalted Butter
- 100 g Caster Sugar (divided)
- 3 Eggs (separated)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 3 tbsp Raspberry Jam
- A pinch of Salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Set your oven to 150°C (300°F) and grease a medium ovenproof dish to prevent sticking.
- Warm Milk Mixture: Gently warm the whole milk, unsalted butter, and half of the caster sugar together. Stir in the vanilla extract, then mix in the fresh breadcrumbs. Allow this mixture to rest so the breadcrumbs can soak up the milk, then whisk in the egg yolks thoroughly.
- Fill and Settle: Pour the breadcrumb custard mixture into the prepared dish, tapping lightly to help it settle evenly.
- Bake Base Layer: Bake the custard base in the oven for 25 minutes until just set. Once baked, remove from the oven and evenly spread the raspberry jam over the warm custard layer.
- Make Meringue: Whip the egg whites along with the remaining sugar and a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form, ensuring a glossy and stable meringue.
- Top and Bake Again: Spread or pipe the meringue mixture over the jam layer to cover completely. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the meringue turns golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the Queen of Puddings warm, ideally accompanied by cream or custard for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Ensure the egg whites are whipped to stiff peaks for a stable meringue topping.
- Raspberry jam can be substituted with other fruit preserves like strawberry or blackberry for variation.
- The pudding is best enjoyed fresh from the oven but can be reheated gently if needed.
- For a richer taste, serve with pouring cream or warm custard.
