Pear Bread Pudding

Sliced pears and Poire William (pear brandy) add a flavorful touch to this homey bread pudding made with artisan-style bread.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 680 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 eggs
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup half-and-half cream
• 4 pears - peeled, cored and sliced
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup butter, softened
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup white sugar
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup pear brandy
• 2 (1 pound) loaves sliced artisan bread, cut into 3/4 inch strips with crusts re

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Place the pudding onto a larger pan or cookie sheet with sides. Pour boiling water into the bottom pan until it is half way full.

Step 3

Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking for 25 minutes. Pudding is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 4

Stir flour, brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium bowl. Mix in butter and 1 tablespoon of vanilla until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

Step 5

Whisk eggs, 1 cup white sugar, half-and-half, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pear brandy, and salt together in a separate bowl.

Step 6

Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with a layer of bread. Top with a layer of pear. Pour about 1/4 of custard mixture over the layers followed by about 1/3 of the heavy cream. Sprinkle with some of the crumb topping. Repeat layers until you are out of ingredients, ending with the crumb topping on top. Press down on the layers as needed to help them absorb the liquid. Cover the pan with parchment paper then seal with aluminum foil. Place another baking pan on top or two dinner plates to keep it from puffing while it bakes.