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1
Place the apricots, sultanas and whiskey in a bowl and put aside for four hours to allow them to macerate.
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2
Pre-heat the oven to 130C.
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3
Butter the bread on both sides and place in a bowl, letting the slices overlap.
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4
Arrange some of the macerated fruit between the layers and sprinkle the rest on top.
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5
Whisk the sugar and eggs together (7 eggs if they're small-medium, 6 if they're large or extra large).
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6
Slice the vanilla pod lengthways and scrape out the seeds into a pan with the milk and cream.
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7
Chop the pod husk into 1-inch chunks and also place that in the pan.
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8
Gently bring to the boil then remove the chunks of pod (these can be rinsed and dried then put in a jar with sugar to make vanilla-infused sugar).
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9
Bring the pan back to the boil and then pour it over the egg and sugar mix, whisking as you pour.
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10
Pour the custard over the bread, ensuring you soak it all thoroughly then allow to rest for 10 minutes.
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11
Sprinkle the top with the flaked almonds.
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12
Place the bowl in a bain-marie filled with boiling water (to the level of the custard) and bake gently for 35-45 minutes, until the custard has set.
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13
Meanwhile, make the sauce by whisking the egg yolks and sugar, with 1tbsp of the whiskey over a pan of simmering water, until the eggs have cooked.
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14
Remove from the heat and beat in the melted butter a little at a time.
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15
Once the butter has been absorbed, add whiskey to taste and serve drizzled over the bread and butter pudding.