Our house has been full of unwell little kids for the last week - 3 have this nasty flu-like bug going around (that includes vomiting!) and two of us have horrible head-colds.

It's funny how we do exactly what our mums used to do for us... blankets (or sheets if you have a fever) on the couch to make a 'bed', a little place set up with your bowl, water-bottle, tissues and wet flannel. And when you are on the mend, a nice piece of vegemite toast cut up into little squares and eaten with a fork!

For an extra special treat during those sickly times, my mother used to call on my Great Grandmother to make her special Bead & Butter Pudding. So guess what I decided to make tonight... that's right, Bread & Butter Pudding! And it was so bland, comforting and nice! Just how I remembered it being.

Below is the recipe I used...

Bread and Butter Pudding

butter to spread

6 slices of day-old white or brown bread, crusts removed

3/4 cup mixed dried fruit

3 tablespoons caster sugar

1 teaspoon mixed spice

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

2 1/2 cups milk

Preheat oven to moderate 180 degC. Grease a medium, shallow, ovenproof dish. Butter bread and cut slices in half diagonally. Layer bread into the dish, sprinkling each layer with dried fruit, sugar and spice.

Beat the eggs, essence and milk together. Pour mixture over the bread and set aside for 5 minutes to soak.

Bake pudding for 50 minutes, or until it is set and top is browned.

All the sugary goodness waiting to be popped into the oven...