Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 4 cups vanilla wafer cookies
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 1/2 cup chopped white raisins
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 bananas
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup amaretto, whiskey, or warm water
  • 1/2 cup apricot jelly
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 4 egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (make sure it is a fresh container, i.e. not stale)
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Method

  • Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter.
  • In a large bowl, mix the vanilla wafers, apricots, raisins, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Slice the bananas and fold into the dry ingredients.
  • Transfer to the baking dish, distributing evenly.
  • In another bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla and amaretto, whiskey or warm water.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pour the milk and egg mixture over the dry ingredients.
  • Let the baking dish stand for about 20 minutes to allow the liquid to absorb.
  • Prepare a bain marie by placing the baking dish into a larger pan or dish, placing the arrangement into the preheated oven, and then pouring hot water into the outer dish (without splashing any into the custard dish).
  • Bake until the pudding firms and puffs up and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.
  • Remove from oven and from water bath.
  • Spread apricot jelly over the top of pudding and let rest.
  • Increase oven heat to 425 degrees F.
  • To make the meringue topping, make a slurry with 1/3 cup water gradually whisked into a small saucepan to which you have added cornstarch and sugar.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly.
  • As it thickens and becomes translucent, cover and remove it from the heat.
  • In a scrupulously clean large metal or glass bowl, with scrupulously clean beaters, beat the egg whites (they must be at room temperature) until foamy.
  • Add vanilla and cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form.
  • Very gradually beat in sugar on high until glossy and stiff peaks form, but do not allow it to get dry.
  • Reduce the speed of the beater to low and gradually add the cornstarch slurry.
  • When it has all been added increase speed to medium for about 10 seconds.
  • Spread the meringue over the bread pudding, swirling it decoratively with the back of a spoon, and being sure to anchor the meringue to the sides of the baking dish.
  • Bake until the meringue browns, 5 or 10 minutes.