From The Colonel's Kitchen: Berry Family Best Ever Pudding

In every family, there's a recipe that transcends time, a culinary favorite that carries the sweet nostalgia of shared moments and cherished memories. For my family, that timeless delight is the Berry Family Best Ever Pudding. Passed down through generations, this dessert has become a symbol of comfort, togetherness, and the simple joy found in a perfect bite. We have it once a year, on Thanksgiving, and have since I was a small child. It came from my paternal side of the family and, my favorite part, the recipe is still written in my grandmother’s handwriting, having been passed to my mother as it was to her back in the 1940s from her mother in law. I had to post this recipe today as a tribute to my grandmother and this Thanksgiving tradition that she started for us so many years ago!

Ingredients:

1 cup boiling water

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup raisins or dates (I always use dates)

½ cup milk

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 Tablespoon butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. In a glass loaf pan, place the 1 cup of packed brown sugar in the bottom and cover with the boiling water.

2. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients together until well blended. Drop into loaf pan by Tablespoon.

3. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until light brown.

4. Serve upside down and top with fresh whipping cream.

When the first spoonful is savored, it's not just the flavors that dance on the palate; it's the taste of tradition. The warm bready texture, the subtle sweetness, and the familiar embrace of brown sugar and dates evoke a sense of home. Each bite is a connection to the past, a reminder that some things – like the joy found in family – never fade.

The Berry Family Best Ever Bread Pudding is more than a dessert; it's a testament to the enduring power of family, tradition, and the simple joys that bind us together. As we savor each bite, we celebrate not just the richness of the flavors but the richness of our shared history. In a world that constantly changes, this timeless dessert reminds us that some things remain wonderfully constant. May your family's traditions be as sweet, warm, and enduring as ours and may you take a minute to appreciate just being together on this Thanksgiving day.