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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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Baked
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Bread Pudding
  • 6 cups brioche or challah bread cut into cubes
  • 2 ripe pears peeled and diced
  • 4 eggs large
  • 1.5 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon optional
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp butter melted
Orange Caramel Sauce
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp orange juice fresh
  • salt pinch

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Whisk
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a baking dish.
  2. Place bread cubes and diced pears into the dish.
  3. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and melted butter.
  4. Pour custard over the bread mixture and press gently to absorb.
  5. Let rest 10 minutes before baking.
  6. Bake 45–55 minutes until golden and set.
  7. To make caramel, melt sugar in a saucepan until amber, then whisk in butter and cream.
  8. Stir in orange zest, orange juice, and salt. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
  9. Serve warm pudding topped with orange caramel sauce.

Notes

Day-old bread works best. Add cranberries or almonds for variation.