Ricotta Vanilla Bread Pudding

If food were a substitute for sex, you would be fortunate to experience anything as erotic as this luxurious dessert. A pillow-soft cross between cheesecake and bread pudding, delicately scented with floral vanilla and as light as it is rich, it overwhelms the senses with each bite. In fact, to be honest, I usually don’t waste it on dessert, where it has to compete with dinner for attention. I prefer it for breakfast or as the star of a special brunch. Many years ago I served it for brunch