Here is a good bread pudding to making in the summer months when the berries are ripe and juicy.  You can make this bread pudding with just one type of berry or as many as you like.  The egg custard layered with these juicy berries will melt in your mouth.  I baked in 6 medium size ramekins but you can also bake in a 13×9 baking dish or 2 bread loaf pans.  Serve it in the morning, afternoon or evening for a sweet taste of summer.

Mixed Berry Bread Pudding
9-12 slices soft French or egg bread, cubed 1-inch pieces (6 cups)
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup sugar
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups fresh mixed berries (blueberries, marionberries, red raspberries, blackberries), divided
Mixed berry sauce, recipe below (optional)

In large bowl place cubed bread, set aside.  In medium bowl beat eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla. Pour milk mixture over bread cubes and let set for 30 minutes. Grease 6 medium ramekin baking dishes.  Place about 1/2 cup of the cubes of bread in each greased ramekin, sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the mixed berries, add another 1/2 cup bread cubes, sprinkle top with 1/4 cup of mixed berries.  There should be a small amount of egg mixture left in the bowl, evenly divide among the six ramekins.  Place ramekins on a baking sheet and add about 2 cups of water to the baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until golden brown and knife inserted comes out clean. Remove and cool for about 10 minutes if you would like to serve warm.  Once cooled completely you can refrigerate to serve later or the next day.

When you are ready to serve run a knife around the outer edge of the bread pudding and flip over to remove the bread pudding.  Top with remaining 1 cup of fresh berries or mixed berry sauce below. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Fresh Mixed Berry Sauce
4 cups mixed berries
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water

Combine sauce ingredients in saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Serve warm or cold over the bread pudding.