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Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding with Orange Cardamom Caramel Sauce Recipe

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4.2 from 54 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A delicious and aromatic Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding featuring sautéed pears infused with warm cardamom, nestled in a rich custard and baked to golden perfection. Topped with a luscious orange cardamom caramel sauce, this comforting dessert blends the fragrant spice with the natural sweetness of pears for a truly delightful treat.

Ingredients

Bread Pudding

  • 12 cups cubed French bread
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 pears, peeled and diced
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 oz (optional) – note: original recipe seems to miss specifying this ingredient; assuming 1 oz of dark rum or similar spirit for flavor
  • 2 tsp ground cardamom (divided)
  • 5 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp raw turbinado sugar (optional)

Orange Cardamom Caramel Sauce

  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 10 cardamom pods
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • Pinch ground cardamom

Instructions

  1. Prepare the bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the French bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly on a baking pan. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes until the bread cubes are dried but not browned. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.
  2. Sauté the pears: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced pears and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until they start to soften. Stir in the brown sugar, (optional 1 oz spirit), and ½ tsp ground cardamom, and cook a few more minutes until pears are tender. Remove from heat, scoop out the pears with a slotted spoon, and reserve the syrup.
  3. Make custard mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, sugar, 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom, and kosher salt. Whisk in the reserved pear syrup to incorporate all flavors.
  4. Assemble the pudding: Place half of the bread cubes into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the cooked pears. Repeat layering with remaining bread and pears. Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes. Gently toss the bread with your hands to ensure even coating. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then gently toss again to absorb the custard fully.
  5. Add topping and bake: Sprinkle the raw turbinado sugar over the surface of the bread pudding. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and the pudding is golden brown.
  6. Prepare the caramel cream: In a small saucepan, heat ¾ cup heavy whipping cream over medium heat. Lightly crush the 10 cardamom pods and add them to the cream. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Let steep for 10 to 15 minutes, watching carefully to avoid boiling over. Strain the cream and set aside.
  7. Make caramel sauce base: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 ½ cups sugar and ¼ cup water. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, gently swirling the pot to help sugar dissolve evenly. If sugar crystals appear on the sides, brush them away with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystallization.
  8. Caramelize the sugar: Continue boiling without stirring until the syrup changes color from light golden yellow to a deep amber, about 10 to 12 minutes. Keep swirling the pan gently to ensure even caramelization.
  9. Finish caramel sauce: Immediately remove from heat and carefully add 6 tbsp butter, swirling to melt and incorporate. Then slowly pour in the strained cardamom cream and ¼ cup orange juice, standing back as it will bubble and spatter. Return to heat for about 1 minute to dissolve any hardened caramel.
  10. Flavor and cool sauce: Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest, ½ tsp kosher salt, and a pinch of ground cardamom. Let the caramel sauce cool briefly before serving.
  11. Serve: Serve the warm Cardamom Pear Bread Pudding drizzled generously with the orange cardamom caramel sauce. Enjoy the comforting and fragrant dessert!

Notes

  • If you prefer, replace the 1 oz optional ingredient with your favorite spirit like dark rum or brandy to enhance flavor.
  • Raw turbinado sugar topping is optional but adds a delightful crunchy texture and caramelization.
  • Ensure the bread cubes are dried but not browned when pre-baking to avoid overly hard texture in the pudding.
  • Carefully watch the caramel to prevent burning; color changes quickly when sugar caramelizes.
  • Crushing the cardamom pods lightly releases more flavor into the cream for a deeper aroma.
  • Keep the heat moderate when simmering the cream and steeping cardamom to avoid boiling over.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American with Middle Eastern influences

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/cardamom-pear-bread-pudding-with-orange-cardamom-caramel-sauce-recipe/