Summer Fruit Bread Recipes

PEACH AND BERRY SUMMER PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine the strawberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup of water in a large saucepan and cook uncovered over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Add 2 half-pints of the raspberries and all of the blueberries and peaches and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches a simmer. Simmer for 1 minute. Off the heat, stir in the remaining raspberries and the framboise.
• Slice the bread into 1/2-inch-thick slices and remove the crusts. In the bottom of a 7 1/2-inch round by 3-inch high soufflé or baking dish, ladle about 1/2 cup of the cooked fruit mixture. Arrange slices of bread on top in a pattern (this will become the top when the pudding is unmolded) and then add more fruit mixture to saturate. Continue adding bread, cutting it to fit the mold, and fruit. Finish with bread and cooked fruit, using all of the fruit and syrup.
• Place a sheet of plastic wrap loosely over the pudding. Find a plate approximately the same diameter as the inside of the mold and place it on top. Weight the mold with a heavy can and refrigerate overnight.
• Just before serving, run a knife around the outside of the pudding and unmold it upside down onto a serving plate. Serve in wedges with whipped cream.
• Whip the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. When it starts to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla. Continue to whip until it forms stiff peaks. Serve cold.

SUMMER FRUIT BREAD

Steps:

• If the blueberries or blackberries are fresh, freeze them so they will not get too mushy in the bread dough.
• Add all ingredients except the berries in the order suggested by your bread machine and process on the basic bread cycle.
• At the beep (or before final knead and rise), add the berries.

SUMMER STONE FRUIT BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• 1. Can do ahead of time: If the bread is not stale, cut into cubes, place on a large cookie sheet and put into a 200 deg. F oven for 45 to 60 minutes until it's dried. I used 6 - 8 brioche slider buns.
• 2. Pre-heat your over to 350 deg. F.
• 3. Combine the first eight (8) ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat until the brown sugar is thoroughly dissolved, whisking occasionally. Do not let the milk boil.
• 4. Put the cubed bread in a large mixing bowl. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the bread and gently fold together to coat all of the bread. Don't add all of the milk mixture at one time so it doesn't get too soggy. Pour most of it in, combine and add more if needed. Add the beaten eggs and the cut-up fruit. Fold everything together to make sure all of the bread is coated.
• 5. Divide the mixture between the 6 compartments of a lightly greased large muffin tin. Or you can use a 9 x 9 baking dish. Bake for 40 minutes, remove from the oven and sprinkle on the remaining brown sugar. Return to the oven for 10 minutes or until it's done to your liking. Remove from the oven and let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.