A Southern Grace: behold, the power of butterscotch pudding

August 18, 2009

behold, the power of butterscotch pudding

Yum

Remember that pudding-based sourdough bread I made a while back? I said that I’d try it again, and I did.


This time, the pudding being put to use was butterscotch-flavored. I know made-from-scratch is always better, but that’s a somewhat complex recipe and the boxed version is awfully tasty. Awfully--such an appropriate adverb since I feel guilty for enjoying something with so many chemicals, modified starches, preservatives, and the like.

But enjoy it I do, and I suspected that it would make for a knockout bread. I considered using chocolate chips or toffee bits as an add-in, but in the end I opted for diced dried apples. Had I used the sweet stuff, the end result might’ve been too rich (not for me, mind you, but for those of typical palates).

The bread was fantastic. There was definitely a subtle caramel-brown sugar-butterscotchy thing going on, but it was never the slightest bit overwhelming. The apples contributed a nice tart zing and the overall texture was lovely.


So soft. So satisfying.

Was it better than the version made with coconut pudding? Gracious, that’s a toughie. If you threatened to take away my cinnamon if I didn’t pick one or the other, I’d have to say the tropical version takes it by a hair (not by a hair found in any of my baked goods, of course)(I always wear a hairnet when I cook...don’t you?).

Butterscotch Friendship Bread
(personalized from this recipe)

1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup pear baby food
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sourdough starter
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 (3.4 oz) boxes instant butterscotch pudding
1 cup chopped dried apples

Preheat oven to 325F. Grease down whatever molds you intend to use (I filled up 8 mini loaves).
In a large bowl, mix the oil, pear puree, eggs, milk, starter, vanilla, and sugar.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, pudding mix, and apples. Add this to the liquid mixture and stir thoroughly.
Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake until done. Apparently, this takes at least an hour for regular loaves, and took around 45 minutes for my mini loaves. Cool completely before slicing.


56 comments:

Emily said...

It's bread... with pudding and apples. Genius! I know I would like this.

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

They looks very good. I think the butterscotch was a good idea.

Hairnet OH YES! Just as my mother does and my Grandmother did.

Albany Jane said...

Wait, there is such a thing as an overwhelming amount of butterscotch? You could hit me with a truck of it and I'd never be any wiser ;)

Barbara said...

Perfect photo- I love that you placed that heavenly bread on that lovely wood. Coconut pudding or butterscotch? Hmmmm. Tough decision Grace. I'm leaning towards butterscotch and cinnamon. (Do they still make hairnets??)

oneordinaryday said...

LOL
No one will take away your cinnamon! But I would like to see the hair net. : )

Leslie said...

ohh come on sista..we want to see you in your cafateria worker hair net..PRETTY PLEASE!

Half Baked said...

I'll have to admit I really like the boxed butterscotch pudding too. Your bread looks awesome...doesn't everyone wear hairnets when they cook??;P

Lindsey said...

Butterscotch, eh? Definitely a sweet twist on an old school bread! And by bread I really mean cake.

lisa is cooking said...

Butterscotch and apples sound great together, and that looks like a delightfully tender crumb!

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

I'm an apple desert freak and the only way to improve apples? Add caramel or butterscotch! :D

rachel said...

Been a while since I've been here! And this bread sure looks delightful.

kat said...

Great use of pudding!

Katie said...

I don't really like pudding, but when I do eat it, it has to be butterscotch! So this looks great!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Nope, I'm thinking this is THE ONE!
~ingrid

♥peachkins♥ said...

butterscotch is heaven!

Gloria Baker said...

Grace I love bread pudding and this is absolutely awesome!! love it, gloria

Lyndas recipe box said...

I think these look very moist and addictive! Butterscotch and apple together is a marriage made in heaven, and of course the cinnamon has to make it more heavenly!

La Bella Cooks said...

I will have to make this for my hubby! He absolutely loves bread pudding.

Pam said...

I've never had butterscotch bread before - man does it look tasty.

Anonymous said...

Butterscotch bread is a wonderful idea, looks delicious!

Unknown said...

Sweet is always a plus in my book. Looks and sounds yummy!

Marjie said...

I love butterscotch pudding, too, and there's nothing like the convenience of instant. Looks like a good bread.

vanillasugarblog said...

don't you love how many people are making bread exciting, flavorful, and like you, creative? Man, I would love a loaf of this. Not a slice, a LOAF. lol

Sandie said...

I've been craving flavors like these (butterscotch, cinnamon, apples) and it isn't even fall yet (typically when those cravings kick in). We had such and early & long summer here, I think my body is a month off! Oh well...looks like I benefit after all :)

Jessica@FoodMayhem said...

I'm trying to picture you with a hairnet, as lunch room lady. haha It would be a mighty fine lunch room of course.

LilSis said...

That combination sounds SO GOOD!! And you can tell from your photos how moist it is! Honestly, I wish I could make that for my family and only eat one teeny tiny bite myself, but, I know I'd want to eat the whole thing.

Antonietta said...

MMMM! Looks amazing!

The Blonde Duck said...

This looks like my kind of friendship bread!

shaz said...

Butterscotch and apple is such a great combo! And baby food in bread, wow! Oh, and I always wear a hairband when I cook :)

Anita said...

I love butterscotch and could imagine this would taste wonderful.

Bunny said...

Ok you know I'm gonna like this one...apples! I almost can't wait for fall to get here so I can go nuts baking with them. I could now but it's just not the same when the air isn't crisp and the leaves aren't turning ! I know I'm rushing it but the heat and humidity of summer is frying my brain!

Cara said...

My cousin apparantly has been making a ton of pudding friendship bread - I'll be sure to pass this along!

Abby said...

I've been making friendship bread, too, but a different version. It calls for vanilla pudding, but I chose chocolate instead, with choc. chips and walnuts for good measure. FABULOUS.

Gotta try a butterscotch version now!

Maris said...

That picture looks so unbelievably good! I want some now!

Sweet_Tooth said...

This is too ironic - I have been CRAVING butterscotch pudding lately!! (Its not even something I ate much before I gave up sweets though).

Bet this would have been perfect with those toffee bits you suggested. But either way i think i'll be dreaming about this!

Kathy Walker said...

This sounds really good!

Kate at Serendipity said...

(from the OTHER Kate) This just makes me drool. It's such a wonderful idea, sourdough and butterscotch and apples. I only wish I could get butterscotch pudding in Belgium...

♥Rosie♥ said...

Butterscotch and apple a combo made in heaven. Looks fantastic friendship bread mmmmmm

noble pig said...

I feel the power...I feel it!

Dewi said...

I really like the sounding of butterscotch, even more when I see the photo. Looks delicious!

Aleta said...

Ohhh, I want to take it right off of my screen!! YUMMMMM!!

pam said...

Don't worry, no one is going to take away your cinnamon!

foodhoe said...

mmmm, I haven't had butterscotch and cinnamon, sounds really good.

Laura said...

Looks fabulous--I am so impressed at the things you do with sourdough!

Hornsfan said...

Grace this looks fantastic - a glorious bread to usher in the fall with (when it's not five thousand degrees!) :)

Lisa said...

The power of pudding, indeed! This bread looks scrumptious.

Chef Jeena said...

I could just sink my teeth into this and say mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Maria said...

What a great dessert!

Chef Fresco said...

I've never been a huge fan of butterscotch, but this looks so freakin good! I just want a slice right now!

Rebeca said...

As usual you make me hungry... wish I'd taken that bite!

Butterscotch reminds me of camp the only place I was ever allowed that chemical-y pudding goodness

Kerstin said...

I always enjoy butterscotch! This looks SO good!

Penny said...

Hairnet indeed. I wear a motocycle helment. The pudding bread sounds wonderful.

Jennifer said...

That looks delish, where would I get sourdough starter? I am pathetic!

pigpigscorner said...

Very interesting! Butterscotch= yum yum!

Deborah said...

Wish you could send some of that my way!

Shelly said...

Oooo they look delish! I made kinda the same thing in bread form instead of bars with the ole starter a while ago.