60°F
weather icon Mostly Cloudy

Pumpkin adds seasonal twist to bread pudding

In a season traditionally filled with good things to eat, let’s add another entry to the dessert table, shall we? I’m talking about bread pudding. Now, here is a dish that radiates nostalgia. Once eaten mainly by the poor to use up stale bread, bread pudding is now considered comfort food extraordinaire.

While we all love classic bread pudding, this one is different. This recipe offers a twist on ordinary bread pudding that elevates it to holiday-worthy status. We’re adding pumpkin puree and warm spices to the bread pudding and topping it with a velvety caramel pecan praline sauce to create bread pudding that’s bursting with intense flavors and aromas of the season. If pumpkin pie and bread pudding had a baby, it would be this.

Don’t reserve this recipe only for Thanksgiving because it makes any day a special occasion. Bread pudding can be served warm or cold and for dessert, breakfast, brunch or snack. It’s also perfect to bring to a potluck or make as a gift for friends and neighbors.

As always, my recipes are developed with low cost in mind. In this spirit, I’ve omitted the heavy cream found in most bread pudding recipes and replaced it with a can of evaporated milk to add creamy richness. Please note - I’m using evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk. You’ll use part of the can of evaporated milk in the pudding and the remainder in the sauce.

Part of the frugal appeal of this recipe is that it uses stale bread. Use any kind of bread you find on the “oops, we baked too much” rack. You can use loaves of breads like French, Italian or artisan breads. You can also use bolillo rolls, baguettes, challah, croissants, doughnuts or even cinnamon rolls.

Here’s a great tip - keep a large zip-top bag in the freezer to save up bits of leftover breads. You can even throw in slightly stale doughnuts, cinnamon rolls or bagels, too. When you’ve collected enough, you can use them to make breadcrumbs, stuffing or, you guessed it, bread pudding.

Bread pudding is a stellar example of simple ingredients coming together to make something greater than the sum of their parts.

As I was making this, my niece suggested that since pumpkin is a vegetable and the pudding is mostly bread and eggs, she should be able to have it for dinner. Of course, I said yes. I’m the cool auntie.

There will be plenty of time for eating properly. Tomorrow.

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING

What you’ll need:

1 1-pound loaf day old bread

2 cups milk or half and half

¾ cup evaporated milk

1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree

¾ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons melted butter

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

½ teaspoon kosher salt

Here’s how:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9-by-13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Slice or tear the bread into small pieces and place them in the baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together the half and half, evaporated milk, pumpkin, sugars, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Carefully pour this custard mixture over the bread pieces in the baking dish. Lightly press the bread down until it’s completely covered in the custard mixture.

Let this rest for about 15 minutes to let the custard soak all the bread pieces. Bake in your preheated oven for 50 minutes to an hour or until set and browned.

While the bread pudding is baking, make the praline sauce.

EASY PECAN PRALINE SAUCE

What you’ll need:

1¼ cups light brown sugar

¾ cup evaporated milk

1 tablespoon butter

Pinch salt

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup chopped pecans

Here’s how:

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the brown sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt. Cook, stirring the sauce until it is syrupy and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and pecans. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Pour over bread pudding to serve.

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is a recipe developer and food writer of the website “Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous!” Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Popular block party moving location

It’s no secret that Boulder City residents enjoy their community events, especially in fall. One more to mark on the calendar is the annual street dance/block party that in recent years has been hosted by The Dillinger owner Grant Turner. It’s set for Saturday, Oct. 25 beginning at 2 p.m. and ending around 11:30 p.m.

King Elementary launches into learning at STARBASE

Fifth-graders from Martha P. King Elementary School recently took part in an unforgettable learning experience at STARBASE Henderson, a hands-on STEM program hosted at a Department of Defense lab.

BCR offers first-ever holiday magazine

With fall comes cooler temperatures and a crispness in the air as the holidays quickly approach.

Rating reflects teachers’ commitment and determination of students

There’s no better way to begin this school year than by celebrating a truly incredible accomplishment of Garrett Junior High School officially earning a 5-Star school rating. This distinction represents the highest level of achievement under Nevada’s School Performance Framework and recognizes not only strong academic performance, but also growth, teamwork, and a positive school culture.

Everything from A to Z available at Country Store

Whether you call it a garage sale, yard sale or tag sale, Grace Community Church’s Country Store is one of the largest of its kind in the area.

Homecoming: Small town tradition

There’s something special about Homecoming in Boulder City.

Student achievement main focus at Mitchell

Mitchell Elementary has enjoyed a great beginning to our school year as our staff continues to serve our students and families as their children learn and grow their leadership skills.

What is a PSA test and why you need one

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate gland, which is found in small amounts in the blood. The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test is a blood test used to screen for prostate health and to help detect prostate cancer.

Wurst Fest kicks off fall event season

For nearly three decades it kicks off a very busy event season in Boulder City; one that goes up into the holidays.

Chugging Along

Photos by Ron Eland/Boulder City Review