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Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding with Orange Caramel Sauce
When the weather turns cool and comfort food begins calling your name, nothing answers quite like a warm, custardy bread pudding fresh out of the oven. But this isn’t your everyday bread pudding — Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding with Orange Caramel Sauce is an elegant, fragrant, and deeply comforting dessert that brings together seasonal pears, aromatic cardamom, soft bread cubes, and a luxurious citrus caramel that ties everything together.
It’s cozy enough for a casual fall or winter evening but impressive enough for holidays or dinner parties. The blend of cardamom and pear creates a subtly floral, lightly spiced flavor reminiscent of European bakery desserts, while the bright, buttery orange caramel adds a fresh citrus twist that transforms the dish from homey to sophisticated.
In this full-length recipe guide, we’ll explore every detail of creating this spectacular dessert: how to choose the right bread, how to achieve the perfect custard texture, how to build flavor with warm spices and tender pears, and of course, how to make a silky orange caramel sauce that deserves its own spotlight.
Why This Bread Pudding Is Truly Special
1. Cardamom + Pear = A Stunning Flavor Pairing
Cardamom has a warm, citrusy, floral aroma that enhances pears beautifully. Together, they create a dessert that feels both cozy and refined.
2. Orange Caramel Sauce Changes Everything
Traditional caramel can be rich, but adding orange zest and juice gives it brightness that balances the dessert’s sweetness.
3. Custardy Interior + Crisp Top
The bread cubes soak in a luscious custard mixture, producing a creamy interior, while the top toasts into golden perfection.
4. Easy, Foolproof, Impressive
It looks gourmet, tastes luxurious, and requires no advanced baking skills.
Ingredients
Bread Pudding Base
- Bread cubes (brioche, challah, or French bread)
- Pears (ripe but firm)
- Eggs
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Vanilla extract
- Butter
Orange Caramel Sauce
- Sugar
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Orange zest
- Orange juice
- Salt
Ingredients (List Format for Recipe Section)
- 6 cups brioche or challah bread, cut into cubes
- 2 ripe pears, peeled and diced
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Orange Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish with butter.
- Place bread cubes and diced pears into the baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and melted butter.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and pears. Press gently to help the bread soak.
- Let rest for 10 minutes to absorb the custard fully.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, until golden and set in the center.
- Meanwhile, prepare the orange caramel sauce: melt sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until amber.
- Add butter, stirring constantly.
- Slowly pour in heavy cream, whisking until smooth.
- Stir in orange zest, orange juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Simmer 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Serve warm bread pudding with warm orange caramel sauce poured over top.
Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding with Orange Caramel Sauce
A warm, custardy bread pudding infused with cardamom, studded with tender pears, and finished with a bright orange caramel sauce.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a baking dish.
- Place bread cubes and diced pears into the dish.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and melted butter.
- Pour custard over the bread mixture and press gently to absorb.
- Let rest 10 minutes before baking.
- Bake 45–55 minutes until golden and set.
- To make caramel, melt sugar in a saucepan until amber, then whisk in butter and cream.
- Stir in orange zest, orange juice, and salt. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
- Serve warm pudding topped with orange caramel sauce.
Notes
Day-old bread works best. Add cranberries or almonds for variation.
Tips for Perfect Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding
Use Day-Old Bread
Dry bread absorbs custard better and prevents sogginess.
Avoid Overbaking
Bake until the center is just set — overbaking leads to a rubbery texture.
Choose the Right Pears
Bosc or Anjou pears hold their shape well and won’t turn mushy.
Make Ahead Friendly
Assemble up to 8 hours ahead and bake when needed.
Use Fresh Cardamom
The fresher the spice, the brighter the flavor.
Flavor Variations
Cranberry Pear Version
Add ½ cup dried cranberries for tart pops of color and flavor.
Almond Twist
Add ½ tsp almond extract and top with sliced almonds.
Chocolate Drizzle
Swap caramel for a warm chocolate ganache.
Brandy-Orange Caramel
Add a splash of brandy for a holiday upgrade.
What to Serve It With
This pudding pairs beautifully with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Lightly sweetened whipped cream
- Fresh berries
- Spiced nuts
- Extra orange zest
It’s equally delicious warm, room temperature, or chilled.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
Make-Ahead
Prepare the custard mixture and bread cubes separately. Assemble just before baking.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheating
Warm in the oven at 300°F or microwave individual portions.
Freezing
Freeze baked pudding (without sauce) for up to 2 months.
Why This Dessert Is a Showstopper
Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding with Orange Caramel Sauce doesn’t just satisfy — it captivates. Its fragrance fills the kitchen, its flavors harmonize beautifully, and its presentation is stunning. The combination of warm cardamom, tender pears, soft custard, and bright orange caramel is unique yet universally appealing.
It’s an unforgettable dessert perfect for winter holidays, brunches, family gatherings, or any time you want to elevate a classic comfort dessert.