Pumpkin Bread Pudding

By mamacasma

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 9 egg yolks
• 15 cups 1/2-inch cubes challah bread, from two small loaves

Details

Adapted from usaweekend.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cream, pumpkin purée, salt and half of the sugar and bring to a simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat.

Use a paring knife to split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds from the pod. Add the bean and the seeds to the pan, along with the cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Cover the pan and allow to steep for 15 minutes.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Meanwhile, in a medium-size bowl, combine the egg yolks with the remaining sugar. Once the mixture in the pot comes to a boil, while whisking the egg yolks constantly, add about one-third of the hot mixture to the yolks to warm them. Whisk in the remaining cream mixture. If necessary, strain the mixture through a mesh strainer to remove any egg solids.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place the cubed bread in a large bowl, and pour the cream-and-egg mixture over the bread. Toss until the bread is coated, then transfer to the prepared pan. Allow the mixture to soak for about 30 minutes before placing in the preheated oven. Bake until custard is set and the top of the pudding is a light golden brown, about 30 minutes.