Everyone's favorite Irish quick bread makes for an exquisite dessert when baked into a custard with eggs, sugar, and half-and-half.

Ingredients

• 12 cups (1-inch cubes) irish soda bread (1 loaf)
• 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 2 cups half & half
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• kosher salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 3-quart baking dish, place the bread cubes in an even layer, then drizzle evenly with the butter.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and 1 teaspoon salt. Pour the custard over the bread in the baking dish and press bread to soak up liquid. Let stand 10 minutes.
3. Bake the bread pudding until the filling is set and it is golden on top, about 40 minutes. Let cool to warm, then serve.