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Instant Pot Bread Pudding

Water, for the pressure cooker

Dark Rum*

Raisins

Day Old Brioche or Challah Bread, cut or torn into cubes

Pecans, chopped

Eggs

Sugar

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Pinch of Salt

Nutmeg

Half and Half, or milk

Butter, melted

Butter

Heavy Cream

Soak the raisins in the rum for 15-30 minutes (Do not discard rum. Set aside). Or use hot water or hot apple juice to soak them.

Spray or butter a 1.5 to 2 quart oven safe dish and set aside (I use one of the 7"x3" ekovana Stackable Stainless Pans or a Fat Daddio's 7"x3" push pan)

Place the bread cubes and pecans in a mixing bowl. Toss to mix. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until well combined.

Add vanilla, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and half and half. Whisk together well.

Drizzle in the melted butter as you whisk. Keep whisking until well combined.

Take the raisins from the rum (save the rum) and add the raisins to the bread cubes, tossing to mix.

Pour the custard mixture over the bread and lightly mix to coat all of the bread cubes. Then transfer to the prepared pan. Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the custard.

Put 1 1/2 cups of water into the inner liner of the pressure cooker.

Using a sling, or the handles of the rack, carefully lower the pan into the pressure cooker's pot. It will need to sit on the rack, not directly on the bottom of the pot.

Place the lid on the pot and set the Steam Release Knob to Sealing (not on Ultra).

Press the Manual (or Pressure Cook) Button, or dial on Ultra. Set time to 30 minutes using the + or - button, or dial.

When cook cycle ends, let pot naturally release pressure for 15 minutes. Then manually release the remaining pressure by turning the knob to Venting (or push the button on the Ultra).

When the pin in the lid drops, it is safe to open the lid. Open and carefully remove the pan, using sling or the rack's handles (I wear my Silicone Mitts for this). Careful!

Let sit covered for a few minutes and prepare the sauce.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and sugar together over medium heat.

Let mixture come to a low boil, stirring frequently, then reduce the mixture to a low simmer and let cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently.

Take off heat and transfer to a small pitcher for serving.

Serve Bread Pudding with sauce or without.