Biscuit Pudding
In this post, we’ll guide you through a simple and delicious recipe for biscuit pudding. You don’t need any fancy ingredients or complex techniques, just a few pantry staples, and you’re on your way to making a mouthwatering dessert. Let's dive in!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of biscuit pudding is in its simplicity. All you need are some basic ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen. Here's what you'll need to make a classic biscuit pudding:
For the Custard:
- 500 ml Full-fat milk: This will form the base of your custard, giving it a creamy texture.
- 100 ml Fresh cream: For added richness and smoothness.
- 5 tbsp Sugar: Adjust the sweetness to your liking.
- 2 tbsp Cornflour (Cornstarch): This is used as a thickening agent for the custard.
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract: For that lovely, fragrant aroma and taste.
- Pinch of salt: This will help balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
For the Biscuit Layer:
- 10-12 Digestive biscuits (or any biscuit of your choice): These biscuits serve as the base layer of the pudding. You can use any biscuits like Marie biscuits, tea biscuits, or even rich tea biscuits.
- 200 ml Milk (for soaking the biscuits): You’ll need this to soak the biscuits before layering them in the pudding.
For Garnishing (Optional):
- Chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts): These can add a nice crunch and flavor to the pudding.
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder: To sprinkle on top for a touch of decadence.
- Raisins or dried fruits: Adds an additional texture and flavor dimension.
- Cherries or other fresh fruit: For a colorful and fresh contrast.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Biscuit Pudding
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s break down the process into easy-to-follow steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Custard
The custard is the heart of your biscuit pudding, so getting it just right is essential for that creamy, smooth texture. Follow these steps to make your custard:
Heat the milk and cream: In a medium-sized saucepan, pour 500 ml of full-fat milk and 100 ml of fresh cream. Place it over medium heat. Stir the mixture occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pan.
Mix the cornflour: While the milk and cream are heating up, take a small bowl and add 2 tablespoons of cornflour. Add about 4 tablespoons of milk (cold) and stir it to make a smooth slurry. This mixture will help thicken the custard.
Add sugar and vanilla extract: Once the milk-cream mixture comes to a gentle simmer, add 5 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Then, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to infuse that lovely flavor.
Thicken the custard: Slowly pour the cornflour mixture into the simmering milk and cream while stirring constantly. This ensures that the custard thickens smoothly without forming lumps. Continue to stir and cook the mixture until it reaches a pudding-like consistency (about 4-5 minutes).
Cool the custard: Once thickened, remove the custard from heat and let it cool down to room temperature. You can cover it with a piece of cling film to prevent a skin from forming on top as it cools.
Step 2: Soak the Biscuits
While the custard is cooling, it’s time to prepare the biscuits. The soaking step is crucial because it softens the biscuits, allowing them to absorb the custard and create that beautiful layered texture.
Prepare the milk: In a shallow bowl or a plate, pour about 200 ml of milk. You can use cold or slightly warm milk, depending on your preference. The milk should be enough to submerge the biscuits for soaking.
Soak the biscuits: Take your digestive biscuits or any other biscuits of your choice and gently dip them one by one in the milk. Don’t soak them for too long; just a few seconds on each side is enough. You want the biscuits to soften but not disintegrate completely.
Arrange the biscuits: Lay the soaked biscuits in the base of your serving dish or a baking dish. You can overlap them slightly to create a solid base layer.
Step 3: Layer the Pudding
With the custard ready and the biscuits softened, it’s time to assemble your biscuit pudding.
First layer of biscuits: Begin by layering the soaked biscuits in the bottom of your dish, ensuring they cover the entire base. This forms the foundation of your pudding.
Add the custard: Pour a generous amount of the cooled custard over the biscuit layer. Use a spoon or spatula to spread it evenly so that the biscuits are fully covered.
Repeat the layers: Continue layering biscuits and custard, alternating between the two until you run out of ingredients. The number of layers will depend on the size of your dish. Typically, you should aim for at least three to four layers.
Final custard layer: Once you’ve reached the top of your dish, finish off with a final layer of custard. Smooth the surface with a spatula to create a nice, even top.
Step 4: Chill the Biscuit Pudding
Now that your biscuit pudding is assembled, it’s time to let it set.
- Refrigerate: Cover the dish with cling film or aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling allows the pudding to firm up, so the layers stay intact when you slice it.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once your biscuit pudding has set and is ready to serve, it’s time for the finishing touches!
Garnish the pudding: Just before serving, add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, raisins, or dried fruits. You can also add a cherry or two on top for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Slice and enjoy: Slice the pudding into squares or slices, and serve chilled. You can enjoy it as is or pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more indulgent dessert experience.
Tips for Making the Perfect Biscuit Pudding
Choice of biscuits: While digestive biscuits are commonly used, you can experiment with other biscuits like Marie biscuits, rich tea biscuits, or even wafer biscuits. Choose the ones that you enjoy the most.
Adjust sweetness: Depending on your preference, you can adjust the amount of sugar in both the custard and the soaking milk. If you’re using sweet biscuits, you may want to reduce the sugar in the custard.
Add a twist: You can add some flavor variations to your biscuit pudding by incorporating cocoa powder or melted chocolate into the custard. You can also mix in a bit of coffee powder for a coffee-flavored biscuit pudding.
Vegan alternative: To make this pudding vegan-friendly, substitute the milk and cream with plant-based alternatives like almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk. Use a plant-based butter or margarine for a non-dairy version.
Layering: Ensure that you’re not too generous with soaking the biscuits as they could become too soft. You want them to retain a bit of texture even after soaking.
Serving suggestions: Serve the pudding with a cup of coffee, tea, or any beverage of your choice. It also goes wonderfully with a scoop of ice cream or fresh fruits like strawberries or bananas.
Conclusion
Biscuit pudding is one of those classic desserts that never goes out of style. It’s easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner, a special occasion, or just because you have a craving for something sweet, this pudding is guaranteed to be a hit.
With its layers of soft biscuits and rich, creamy custard, biscuit pudding is the ultimate comfort food that combines simplicity and decadence. So, the next time you’re in the mood for a delicious homemade dessert, try this recipe, and indulge in the sweet satisfaction of a perfectly made biscuit pudding!
0 Comments