Awesome Stuff Series: ColcaSac

Heyoooo! Sugar here...

So, I recently replaced my old, antiquated iBook with a shiny new laptop, which I desperately needed after leaving my desk job for the world of better-for-you sweets! Of course, I also needed a way to protect my little efficiency facilitator from damage so I went on the hunt for a case. I was looking for something that, like Barbary Brix candy, was made with quality, sustainable materials in a responsible manner.

What did I find? Only the coolest electronics case company out there, ColcaSac!! Not only are these babies handmade using sustainable materials but they are affordable and the company itself belongs to 1% For The Planet to boot! You can choose from tons of different designs for your iPad, MacBook, iPhone, or Kindle. They even make shoulder bags!!

I've been using my Lappy (aka laptop) sleeve for over a month now and it's FANTASTIC. I love how soft and snugly it fits. Speaking of snuggling, I feel like I'm tucking it into a fuzzy, warm sleeping bag every time I put it away. (Sweep tight, wittle Wappy!!) Bottom line, it looks great, does its job, and makes me feel good knowing how it's made. Needless to say, I'm a huge fan and I'm not the only one:

The iPad Fan Review

Mobile Tech Review

Buy Me an iPhone Video Review

ColcaSac has the Official Sugar Stamp of Approval!

BBx Caramel Bread Puddin' Recipe!! Try it today if you want to be popular.

Making bread pudding is like cheating at culinary skills!  It’s SO easy and SO satisfying.  We created a super simple caramel-inspired recipe that anyone can master on the first try.  Promise.  Impress your friends with amazing cooking skills you never knew you had!  You’ll be the most popular kid in the book club (or whatever club)!  We won’t tell anyone how easy it was if you won’t…


The recipe instructions are in the text below but check out this video for the step-by-step...

Quick notes:

We highly recommend you use a “Good” sugar!  You know, an organic one that isn’t over processed so you get all the nutrients and enzymes your body needs to digest it well.  For example: coconut palm nectar, evaporated cane juice, honey, brown rice syrup, agave, etc. Keep in mind, depending on the type of sugar you use, it may be more or less sweet.  You can change the quantity of the GRANULATED sugars in the recipe to your liking without affecting the way the dish turns out but be careful with the SYRUPs – they add more liquid.  If you substitute with one of the syrups, we recommend you use ~1 cup of syrup and use ½ c LESS of either cream or milk.

You can use ANY of our delicious caramel chews in this recipe.  Just remember, if you are using a variation with vanilla bean, chocolate, nuts and/or spices, you might want to omit one of those ingredients below.

Now, let’s do this thing!

Ingredients:

1 loaf fresh, soft bread (like brioche or challah) cut into ¾” - 1” cubes

3 Eggs

4 Egg yolks

¾  c. Sugar

3 c. Cream + 2 c. Milk (or 5 c. Whole Milk if you’re skimping on fat)

4 T. Sweet butter (aka unsalted), melted

¾ t. Salt

1 Vanilla Bean Pod, scraped (optional)

1 t. Ground Cinnamon (optional)

10-15 Salty Dog caramel chews cut into quarters

½ c. Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

½ c. Chocolate chips (optional)

Lots of LOVE (Mom’s secret ingredient; works like magic.)

Equipment:

Small saucepan

Cutting board + knife

Baking sheet(s)

Medium mixing bowl

Large prep bowl

Electric beater or wire whisk

Greased 9x13 Baking Pan

Directions:

Gettings Started..

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. Spread your bread cubes out in a single layer on one or a couple of baking sheets.
3. Bake for 15 minutes to dry them out a bit.
4. Remove from oven and let cool.  Set aside in large prep bowl.
5. In small saucepan, melt your sweet butter and set aside.
6. Use small amount of melted butter to grease your baking pan and set aside.
7. Scrape your Vanilla Bean!  Not sure how?  Watch Sugar demonstrate or just cut it open the long way and fold it out flat.  Then use the back part of your knife to scrape the tiny little “seeds” out and set them aside.  The skin is potent so don’t throw it away!  Add it to a jar or bag of sugar and in no time at all you’ll have yummy Vanilla Sugar.  No vanilla bean pods??  Substitute with 2 t. Vanilla Extract.
8. Unwrap  your caramel pieces and cut them into smaller pieces by quartering them.  Set aside for later.

Now for the custard! 

1. Separate  your eggs!  Not sure how??  Check out Sugar's video demonstration or google it!  It’s easy.  You can save the remaining egg whites in the fridge for up to FOUR days to use in other things or just cook with a little salt and pepper for breakfast.
2. In medium mixing bowl, beat egg, egg yolks and sugar until a little bit frothy, about 1 ½ to 2 minutes.
3. Add in the cream and milk to your eggs as you mix.
4. Add vanilla bean (or extract), salt and cinnamon and mix until combined. 
5. (Just be nice to your custard and don’t over-beat it!)

The final pre-cookin’ steps!

1. In your large prep bowl, drizzle melted butter over your bread cubes and toss with your hands to get them all good and coated.  You can do this in stages, drizzling a bit then tossing, then drizzling some more, and so on.
2. Add caramel pieces, nuts and chocolate chips and continue tossing with your hands to coat as well.
3. Transfer your bread and goodies to your baking pan, making sure the goodies don’t all fall to the bottom of the pan but are evenly dispersed throughout the bread.
4. Pour your custard evenly over the top of the bread mixture, smooshing it in there nice and good with your hands.  The bread is going to act like a custard sponge so make sure they all soak plenty up!
5. Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least an hour (or up to a day).

Cook it up!

1. When you’re ready to cook it up, take your puddin’ out of the fridge while you preheat your oven to 350° and cook for 30-45 minutes or until it is cooked through (custard should be “set” or not runny) and golden brown on top.
2. Serve warm!  You can even add a scoop of your favorite ice cream or any dessert sauce if that suits your fancy.
3. Enjoy!  :)

COMING SOON! Recipe + Video: Sexy Caramel Bread Puddin'!!

In the short term, check out our trailer for a taste of what's to come...

Also available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixTCAdasjy8

Or a 15 second clip on Tout: http://www.tout.com/tzh4k9

-Sug