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Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding with Orange Caramel Sauce

A cozy and aromatic bread pudding filled with tender pears, warm cardamom, and topped with a bright, silky orange caramel sauce.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Holiday
Cuisine: American, European
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bread Pudding
  • 6 cups brioche or challah bread, cubed day-old preferred
  • 3 ripe pears, peeled and sliced
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp butter for sautéing pears
  • 1 orange, zested
Orange Caramel Sauce
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 1 pinch salt

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a medium baking dish.
  2. Sauté pears in butter for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  3. Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and orange zest.
  4. Add bread cubes and soak for 10 minutes.
  5. Fold in sautéed pears.
  6. Transfer mixture to baking dish and bake for 45–55 minutes.
  7. Heat sugar and water until dissolved, then cook until amber.
  8. Whisk in butter, then cream. Add orange zest and salt.
  9. Cool slightly, then pour over bread pudding and serve warm.

Notes

Best served warm. The orange caramel sauce can also be used on pancakes, crepes, or ice cream.