Family Fav's

Maple-Pecan Bread Pudding
Family Favorite Recipe

Ingredients:
4 cups French bread cubes
3 eggs, beaten
1-1/2 cups half-and-half or light cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup maple syrup or maple-flavor syrup
1/2 teaspoon whole allspice
1/4 teaspoon whole cloves
1 3-inch piece stick cinnamon
1/3 cup small pecan halves, toasted

Dating to the 1800s, bread puddings were commonly made to use up stale bread. Today they're still a delicious treat, fixed with a wide range of flavors. This one uses orange, maple, spices, and pecans.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place bread cubes in a 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until toasted, stirring twice. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Stir together beaten eggs, half-and-half or light cream, sugar, vanilla, and orange peel in a medium mixing bowl just until combined. Divide bread cubes evenly among four 8- to 10-ounce au gratin dishes or individual casseroles. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Bake in the 325 degree oven about 35 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool slightly.

Meanwhile, combine orange juice, syrup, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Heat to boiling heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove spices with a slotted spoon. Simmer, uncovered, about 8 minutes more or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Stir in toasted pecan halves. Cool slightly. Spoon sauce over warm bread pudding. Serve immediately. Recipe makes 4 servings.