Elegant Bread Pudding

Name: Elegant Bread Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 14 servings.
Ingredients: 10 cups cubed croissants or French bread; 1/2 cup raisins; 8 large eggs; 2 cups half-and-half cream; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon grated orange zest; CARAMEL SAUCE:; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Whipped cream, optional

At holiday potlucks, our whole family looks forward to my sister-in-law bringing this best-of-the-season dessert. The scrumptious caramel sauce is a unique touch.

Ingredients

10 cups cubed croissants or French bread
1/2 cup raisins
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
CARAMEL SAUCE:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream, optional

Directions

Arrange bread cubes evenly in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with raisins. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, half-and-half cream, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest; pour over bread. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes longer or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
For sauce, in a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and whipping cream; cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Serve bread pudding in bowls with caramel sauce and whipped cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 377 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 168mg cholesterol, 270mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.

Originally published as Elegant Bread Pudding in Country Woman Christmas 1998

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clarkson

Dec 4, 2016

Made this for a Christmas Potluck one year and have been getting requests to bring it ever since! Very elegant indeed.
baknfool

Feb 4, 2009

I recently made this and substituted half & half with vanilla creamer and used dried cranberries and chopped walnuts. It was a hit! Next time I may try another dried fruit!Baknfool-Ohio
LindaInAZ

Jan 20, 2009

I don't normally keep whipping cream in my 'pantry'. Is there anything that I can use instead of the whipping cream?
diana_60_tn

Jan 5, 2008

Copied, will be making this tomorrow. Thanks...Diana