Day 20: Pumpkin Bread Pudding with a Few Excuses for Good Measure

I've been out of the pumpkin-pocket lately.

Blame it on a minor cold, Advent's weight (that's a play on words for you religious folk out there), my current dislike of the flavor of pumpkin, the economy (we're still blaming everything on the economy, right?), Tiger Woods' string of affairs, and poor time management.

But I realize excuses don't get the bakin' done (or the bacon, for that matter), so here's what I've got for you today:

(drumroll, please.....)

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce!!

What you'll need:

For the pudding --
2 Cups half and half
2 Cups pumpkin puree
1 Cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 Large eggs
1 1/2 Teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 Teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 Teaspoons vanilla extract
10 Cups (appx.) of cubes bread

For the caramel --
1 1/4 Cups brown sugar
1 Stick unsalted butter
1/2 Cup whipping cream

Preheat your oven to 350*. Whisk half and half, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin, spices and vanilla in large bowl. Fold in bread (I used Hawaiian bread which is already sweet, like me) and transfer the whole mess to the a large glass baking dish. Let stand for 15 minutes. After it's waiting period (So you've got a waiting period to bake bread pudding, but not to buy a gun. That's a thinker.) pop it in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes.

While that's cooking, whisk brown sugar and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until butter melts. Whisk in cream and stir until sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth (about three minutes). Serve the whole thing, warm and with powered sugar sifted over the top.













YUM.














A dish like this deserves a little yuletide singing, don't cha' think?

Everyone together now...

Oh, bring me some punkin' pudding
Oh, bring me some punkin' pudding
Oh, bring me some punkin' pudding
Bring me some here!

I'd better stop... dogs are starting to howl in the distance and young children are running for their mother's bosom, wondering what that awful sound was that came out of the weird neighbor-ladies house.

Anywhooooooo....

I give this dish a solid A- for it's ease in preparation and taste(but let it be known, that I really like bread pudding) and my husband gives it an A (which means more, because he's not a bread pudding fan!). And I quote, "My faith in pumpkin is restored." (Brett, 9:56 p.m.)

Peace to you this Advent night. May the weight be bearable.