Caramel Pecan Bread Pudding

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1/2 lb french bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 10 cups)
• 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine, melted
• 1 quart half-and-half or 1 quart milk
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 6 eggs
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup store-bought caramel topping
• whipped cream (optional) or non-dairy whipped topping (optional)

Recipe

• 1 spray a microwave safe 2-quart square casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. place bread cubes in casserole; sprinkle in pecans, then pour melted butter over all. toss lightly.
• 2 preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• 3 whisk together half and half, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
• 4 pour evenly over bread cubes and let stand 5 minutes.
• 5 microwave on medium (50% power) 10-12 minutes, until mixture is just beginning to set.
• 6 place in preheated oven 12-15 minutes until pudding is puffed and golden brown.
• 7 remove from oven to wire rack; let stand 15 minutes to cool slightly.
• 8 soften caramel topping in microwave to a pourable consistency; drizzle over warm bread pudding.
• 9 to serve, cut into squares or spoon into dessert dishes.
• 10 serve, if desired, with whipped cream or thawed non-dairy whipped topping.