Grandma’s Secret Grapenut Pudding Recipe: Barefoot Contessa’s Style

Dessert lovers rejoice as the beloved Barefoot Contessa grapenut pudding recipe promises a delightful journey through classic comfort.

Helen’s cherished creation blends nostalgia with rich, creamy textures that dance on your palate.

The humble grape-nuts transform into a luxurious pudding with unexpected depth and warmth.

Generations have savored this simple yet remarkable dessert that whispers of home-style charm.

Each spoonful carries memories of cozy kitchens and shared moments around the table.

Creamy, nutty, and wonderfully satisfying, this pudding beckons you to indulge in its timeless appeal.

Get ready to fall in love with a dessert that celebrates pure, uncomplicated deliciousness.

Serve Grapenut Pudding Warm or Cold

• Serve Warm and Comforting: Enjoy this grape-nut pudding straight from the oven, letting its cozy warmth embrace your senses with each spoonful.
• Top with Creamy Delights: Dollop freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to add a luxurious, cool contrast to the warm pudding.
• Garnish with Sweet Accents: Sprinkle a light dusting of ground cinnamon or drizzle maple syrup over the top to enhance the pudding's rich, homey flavors.
• Pair with Beverages: Complement the dessert with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk to round out this delightful comfort food experience.

Storing and Reheating Grapenut Pudding Well

• Maximize Freshness: Store the Grape-Nuts pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining its creamy texture and delightful taste.
• Chill and Serve: Let the pudding cool completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain its smooth consistency.
• Freezing Option: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Smart Serving: Enjoy chilled directly from the refrigerator or let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften slightly before serving with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 340 kcal

Servings: 6

What Goes into Barefoot Contessa Grapenut Pudding

• Eggs: Creamy foundation that binds and enriches the pudding's silky texture, choose fresh farm eggs for best flavor.
• Milk: Smooth liquid that creates the pudding's luxurious consistency, whole milk works best for richness.

• Grape-Nuts Cereal: Crunchy base that adds delightful texture and nutty undertones, select fresh, crisp cereal for maximum crunch.
• Brown Sugar: Deeply caramelized sweetener that brings warm, molasses-like depth, opt for soft, moist brown sugar without hardened clumps.
• Salt: Subtle flavor enhancer that balances sweetness and intensifies overall taste, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Whipped Cream: Optional cloud-like topping that adds elegant creaminess, freshly whipped cream provides the best homemade touch.
• Ice Cream: Alternative cool companion that complements the pudding's warm notes, vanilla works perfectly as a classic pairing.

Tools That Make Grapenut Pudding Simple

• 8-inch round cake pan: Deep pan needed for the pudding, at least 2 inches deep.
• Large baking pan: Serves as a water bath container for slow, smooth cooking.
• Whisk: Essential for mixing eggs and milk smoothly.
• Mixing bowl: Used for combining Grape-Nuts, brown sugar, and salt.
• Toothpick: Helps check pudding's doneness by testing center.
• Measuring cups: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps transfer mixture into baking pan evenly.

How to Bake Grapenut Pudding by Contessa

• Oven Preparation

Set temperature to 325°F and lightly coat an 8-inch deep cake pan with grease.

• Liquid Foundation

Whisk eggs and milk together until smooth and well combined.

• Dry Mixture

Combine Grape-Nuts, brown sugar, and salt in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution.

• Water Bath Setup

Pour mixed ingredients into greased pan, then place inside a larger pan filled with warm water reaching three-quarters up the sides.

• Baking Process

Bake for approximately one hour, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.

• Cooling Stage

Allow pudding to rest for 15-30 minutes after removing from oven, or completely cool before refrigerating.

• Serving Suggestion

Portion pudding into individual plates or bowls, optionally topping with whipped cream or ice cream. Store remaining portions in refrigerator.

Personalize Your Pudding With These Tips

• Adjust the Grape-Nuts amount to create a crunchier or smoother pudding based on personal preference.
• Enhance the flavor by adding warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to the custard mixture.
• Replace whole milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a different flavor profile and dietary accommodation.
• Experiment with toppings like caramel sauce, fresh berries, toasted nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon to elevate the dessert.
• Prepare the pudding a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify overnight.

Nostalgic Barefoot Contessa Grapenut Pudding Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s grapenut pudding delights classic dessert enthusiasts with New England charm. Creamy custard and crunchy grapenuts create a nostalgic comfort dessert perfect for weekend gatherings or family meals.

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Ingredients

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• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups (454g) milk
• 1 cup (227g) cream (half-and-half, light, whipping, or heavy)
• ¾ cup (85g) grape-nuts cereal
• ⅓ to ½ cup (70g to 106g) light or dark brown sugar, packed, to taste
• 2 tsps (8g) vanilla extract
• ½ tsp (3g) table salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and generously grease an 8-inch round cake pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. Egg Mixture: Whip eggs until light and airy, then blend in milk to create a smooth, consistent liquid base.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine Grape-Nuts cereal, brown sugar, and salt in a separate bowl, mixing thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
4. Batter Creation: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the egg-milk combination, stirring carefully to form a silky, custard-like batter.
5. Water Bath Setup: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, then position it inside a larger baking dish. Fill the outer dish with warm water to about three-quarters of the cake pan’s height.
6. Baking Process: Carefully slide the water bath into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cooling and Serving: Allow the pudding to rest at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. Serve in individual portions, optionally garnishing with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
8. Storage: Preserve any leftover pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Achieve Perfect Texture: Whisk eggs thoroughly until light and frothy to create a smooth, creamy custard base with consistent texture.
• Master Water Bath Technique: Fill surrounding pan with warm water 3/4 up the cake pan’s height to ensure gentle, even heat distribution and prevent pudding from cracking.
• Control Baking Precision: Use toothpick test to confirm doneness – clean toothpick means perfectly baked pudding without raw batter remnants.
• Enhance Serving Suggestions: Complement pudding with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for added richness and temperature contrast.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 150mg