Cranberry Amaretto Bread Pudding

Name: Cranberry Amaretto Bread Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 12 servings (1 cup sauce).
Ingredients: 3 large eggs; 4 cups 2% milk; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup butter, melted; 3 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 3 teaspoons ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans, optional; 6 cups cubed day-old French bread; SAUCE:; 1 cup white baking chips; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup amaretto

This is an update to a recipe that's been in our family for three generations. The combination of white chocolate and amaretto mingled with seasonal cranberry is a favorite way to end any celebration's meal. —Jennifer Evans DaCastello, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ingredients

3 large eggs
4 cups 2% milk
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans, optional
6 cups cubed day-old French bread
SAUCE:
1 cup white baking chips
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup amaretto

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla and spices. Stir in cranberries and, if desired, pecans. Gently stir in bread; let stand until bread is softened, about 15 minutes.
Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake until puffed, golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 50-55 minutes.
In a small heavy saucepan, heat baking chips and butter over low heat until melted and smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in amaretto. Serve with warm bread pudding.

Editor's Note

To toast nuts, bake in a shallow pan in a 350° oven for 5-10 minutes or cook in a skillet over low heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup pudding with about 1 tablespoon sauce: 367 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 222mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.