Pear Bread Pudding
Bread Pudding is one of my favorite desserts. What is not to love about custardy bread topped with a rich sauce and some whipped cream?! Since pears are in season, I decided to incorporate them into this dish, which also helps cut the richness of the pudding, making it harder to stop eating!
This recipe is easy and delicious, so enjoy!
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Sautéed Pear Bread Pudding with Brandy Butter
Ingredients for Bread Pudding:
4 cups of cubed bread (preferably a day or two old)
4 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 inch to 1 inch chunks
4 large eggs
1 cup of milk
1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar (for sautéing)
1/4 cup of brown sugar (for custard mixture)
4 tablespoons butter (I prefer salted)
4 tablespoons of brandy (optional)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
A pinch of salt
Butter for greasing the baking dish
Ingredients for Brandy Cream (Instructions at bottom of page)
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
5 tablespoons, brandy
Instructions for Bread Pudding
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish. I used a 9x13 dish but you could use a smaller dish for a thicker bread pudding.
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the pears and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Add 1/2 cup of brown sugar and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pears are caramelized. If using, pour in the brandy and let it cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the alcohol evaporates. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place the cubed bread in the greased baking dish. Add the sautéed pears over the bread cubes.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
Pour the custard mixture over the bread and pears in the baking dish. Press down on the bread with your hands or a wooden spoon to ensure it absorbs the custard. Let it soak for about 15-20 minutes.
Place the pudding in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly before serving.
Instructions for Brandy Cream
In a medium pot over medium heat, add whipping cream, brown sugar, and brandy. Cook until thickened slightly. Serve immediately!
