Bacon & Cheddar Savory Bread Pudding Bites | Blogger C.L.U.E. Society

It is time again for the Blogger C.L.U.E. Society.  We are a group of like minded food bloggers who get assigned once a month to another blogger who is a member of this secret society of sorts.  We go on a secret mission to discover and make a recipe from our assigned blog with the theme of the month.  For February, our theme was red.  That could mean make something that is red or venture down the virtual red carpet.  I chose to dance down the red carpet and choose an appetizer that could be enjoyed while hosting an Oscar Party at home.

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If you have followed my blog for a while and/or we are friends, you know that I adore appetizers.  They are bite sized delights that pack a punch of flavor and you can sample many different flavor profiles in one sitting if you have an assortment of these little snacks.  This month I was paired with Kelli from Kelli’s Kitchen and she has a ton of recipes to choose from.  She calls Oklahoma home and learned a lot from her Nana.  She is the matriarch to her family and takes care of her hubby, daughter, step-sons, grandson (from her photo I can’t believe she is a grandmother), her Mom and her doggie Jack.  I can sense that she is a caregiver and nurturer and loves to share her food with everyone to make them smile.

After toying over a couple recipes, I knew I wanted to go the red carpet route and her Country Cook’s Cheesy Bacon Ranch Bread - just simply sang to me.  I had to gasp when I saw it called for 1 cup of butter – I just couldn’t do it.  Oh how I wish I could but then I thought about my waistline and heart.  Instead I cut down the butter and used half and half.  Okay, still not the healthiest, but something inside of me was reasoning with my inner-self saying this would be healthier.  I had to chuckle inside. Smile.  My hubby is always the official taste tester and he absolutely LOVED them.  These will make an appearance on the red carpet of appetizers for my small gathering for the Oscars.  Thank you Kelli for the recipe and inspiration!!

Bacon & Cheddar Savory Bread Pudding Bites

3 Cups Sourdough Bread, small cubes

2 Cups White Cheddar Cheese, grated

¼ Cup Butter, melted

¾ Cup Half and Half

2 Tablespoon Dry Ranch Dressing Powder

½ Cup Parmesan Cheese

1 Cup Cooked and Crumbled Bacon (Apple smoked is what I used)

½ Cup Scallion, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Add the melted butter to the half and half and stir in the ranch dressing. Mix well.  Add the bread cubes to a large bowl and then add the melted butter mixture to the cubes of bread and mix well.  Let sit for 15 minutes.

Add the grated cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, cooked bacon and scallions to the bread mixture.  Mix well.

Use 2 mini muffin tins.  Spray each cup with non-stick cooking spray.  Fill each muffin with a large scoop of the bread mixture.  I used a small ice cream scoop to fill each one.  Made is really quick and easy.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool then gently remove with a sharp knife and enjoy!

Participating Bloggers:

Bacon & Cheddar Savory Bread Pudding Bites by Lisa from Authentic Suburban Gourmet

Banana Cranberry White Chocolate Muffins by Aly from Cooking in Stilettos

Blood Orange Mojito by Anna from annaDishes

Buffalo Roasted Chickpeas by Janet from Cupcakes to Caviar

Cherry Almond Coconut Bars by Jean from Lemons and Anchovies

Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Bark by Ramona from Curry and Comfort

Garlicky Roasted Tomatoes by Azmina from Lawyer Loves Lunch

Love Potion #9 w/ Raspberry Chambord Ice Cubes by Christy from Confessions of a Culinary Diva

Madam Wong's Pizza Rolls by Kelli from Kelli's Kitchen

Negroni by Kate from Kate's Kitchen

Paloma Naranjada Cocktail by Stacy from Food Lust People Love

Pomegranate-Lime Granita by Debra from Eliot's Eats

Raspberry Amaretto Bundt Cake by Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Raspberry-Strawberry Puff Pancake by Alice from A Mama, Baby and Shar-pei in the Kitchen

Red-Hot Currant-Glazed Pork Chops by Stacy from Food Lust People Love

Red Velvet Cupcakes by Lea Ann from Cooking on the Ranch

Roasted Asparagus by Kim from Liv Life

Strawberry Chia Jam w/ Chia Seed Pancakes by Heather from girlichef

Strawberry Vanilla Scones by Christiane from Taking on Magazines

Tomato Herb Compound Butter by Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Turkey Joes from annaDishes