Butterscotch Bread Puddings

Ingredients

• 1 cup 1/2-inch cubes white bread
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• vanilla ice cream as an accompaniment

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Butter two 1 1/4-cup ramekins and divide bread cubes between them.
3. In a small saucepan heat half-and-half, butter, salt, and vanilla over moderate heat until hot.
4. In a small bowl whisk together sugar, egg, and yolk and add half-and-half mixture in a stream, whisking.
5. Pour mixture over bread cubes and bake puddings in middle of oven until puffed and golden, about 25 to 30 minutes.
6. Serve puddings warm with ice cream.