Brioche Caramel Croutons & Vanilla Ice Cream

This is one of those classic recipes. Not that it has been made numerous times. It is classic in that I ripped it out of a magazine and shoved it into my ‘recipe binder’ and forgot about it.

Have you done that?

I do occasionally make a good effort to organize my binder, to decide which recipes to keep, to paste them nicely onto paper, then slide recipes into slipcovers. I make some progress, but the binder seems to grow and become unwieldy all on its own (I am sure it has nothing to do with me ripping and shoving, ripping and shoving).

Every time I get my paws on a food magazine, I have to rip out recipes to try. Oh that sounds so delicious, I have to try that… Ooooh, that would be a perfect appetizer, and easy besides… my kids would really like this one… I have been wanting a good recipe for that… so that is how to cook that vegetable… and it goes on and on.

I think this simple dessert caught my attention because I adore making my own simple vanilla ice cream, and to dress it up for guests, this seemed the perfect match (and you can make them ahead of time).

You can buy or make your own ice cream. Here is the recipe for the caramel croutons:

Brioche Caramel Croutons
6 T butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 small loaf brioche (4-5 ounces), cut into 3/4 inch cubes

Line baking sheet with parchment (Silpat works great); in saucepan over medium high, combine butter, sugar, water. Stir to dissolve sugar, 2 minutes. Allow to boil, until syrup is medium amber color, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, add cubes to coat. Transfer to baking sheet, spreading so they don’t touch. Let cool. Keeps well sealed for up to a week.

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Comments

Lydia July 1, 2007 5:14 am

Love it! Fast, easy, and will really dress up storebought vanilla ice cream. Thanks!

Kate July 1, 2007 7:10 am

Who needs ice cream?? I would make these and probably eat them like cookies! These look fantastic.

I am a recipe hound too, ripping them out of magazines and making copious stacks of flyaway papers all over the place. Lately I have been disciplining myself to actually DO something with them instead of make piles, like…..y’know…USE them!?!

Glenna July 1, 2007 11:31 am

Wow! That’s all I can say. Never thought of it but sure love the idea.

Jennifer July 1, 2007 14:33 pm

I’ve never had brioche. We really lack a good Italian bakery here in Bellingham! If I am ever in Seattle I’m going to find a good italian bakery and buying some brioche! (that’s where you would get it, right??)

brilynn July 1, 2007 23:58 pm

That title stopped me in my tracks, brioche caramel croutons!?!?! What time are you serving these, I’ll be right over.

Charmingdesigns July 2, 2007 10:49 am

Yum! I am going to have to give this a try!! Laurie

Jen July 2, 2007 11:19 am

Those look so decadent! They really take the vanilla ice cream to a whole new level.

Kirsten July 2, 2007 23:23 pm

Ooohhhh, that is delicious sounding and it looks as good as it is described. That is a classic, must-try recipe.

Thanks for posting!! (drooling)

janelle July 3, 2007 11:39 am

Lydia: I love easy, and dressing up is always a good thing!

Kate: well, I wasn’t going to ADMIT that I eat them straight-no-ice cream. But, yeah, me too:)!

Glenna: thanks!

Jennifer: well, Trader Joe’s of course! But bakeries do often have them…

Brilynn: you’re on!

Laurie: yes, try them. I love caramel!

Jen: and the secret is how easy they are to make!

Kirsten: let me know if you try them!

Kristen July 5, 2007 7:32 am

What a neat idea. I bet these are great!

Amy July 9, 2007 14:30 pm

This is a brilliant idea! Pure genius! I agree, who needs the ice cream, I would be popping these in my mouth like popcorn.

Erika July 11, 2007 17:14 pm

Oh my, oh my. These sound heavenly!

janelle July 11, 2007 18:39 pm

Kristen: thanks—you should definitely try them:).

Amy: I confess, post ice cream, my fingers were bag-diving for these unadorned caramilized goodies…

Erika: sinful, heavenly, some combination probably!

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