Recipe(tried): More Comfort Food for Gladys - Bread Pudding with Amaretto Sauce, Chocolate Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Dear Gladys, I enjoy very much reading your travel descriptions - it's like a mini-vacation for me. I am sorry to hear of your troubles, I will remember you in my prayers. I couldn't decided which one of these recipes was more comforting, it just depends on whether you are in the mood for chocolate or not.

Bread Pudding with Amaretto Sauce - TG

3 unglazed yeast doughnuts
9-10 slices bread, crusts removed
3/4 cup sugar
4 eggs
3 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup margarine

Tear bread and doughnuts into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Let dry out for a while. Heat milk and sugar together and pur over bread mixture. Let soak for at least 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Cut through with a pastry cutter to make a finer texture. Bake in greased muffin tins or an 8" square pan. Place in a larger pan with enough water to come about halfway up the sides. Bake at 425 degrees 25 minutes or until well browned.

Amaretto Sauce

3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup flour
2 Tbsp. margarine
1/3 cup Amaretto

Heat first 3 ingredients until thickened. Add margarine and Amaretto.

CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING - TG

2 1/2 cups milk
6 Tablespoons cocoa powder
3 cups fresh coarse white breadcrumbs

4 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup half and half (light cream) or evaporated milk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter 10-cup souffie dish. Scald milk in heavy medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low. Add chocolate and stir until melted. Place breadcrumbs in large bowl; pour chocolate mixture over. Use a pastry cutter or potato masher to make crumb mixture very fine and smooth.
Whisk eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in medium bowl. Whisk in cream. Pour over breadcrumb mixture and stir to combine. Transfer to prepared souffle dish.
Bake until pudding puffs up and center is almost set, about 1 hour. Serve warm with Vanilla Sauce. Yield 6 servings.

VANILLA SAUCE

3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup flour
2 Tbsp. margarine
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Heat and stir first 3 ingredients until thickened. Add margarine and vanilla.