Elegant Bread Pudding

Name: Elegant Bread Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 14 servings.
Cuisine: Comfort Food Desserts, Comfort Food Recipes
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

Reviews

Click stars to rate

Average Rating:

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