Lightened Up Pumpkin Bread Pudding
I never really thought I like bread pudding. Then one day while having dinner with a friend at one of her favorite restaurants, she waxed on about the how amazing their chocolate bread pudding was and how we couldn't leave without trying it. I tried to be optimistic but inside I was really wondering how I had agreed to ordering wet, soggy bread instead of the lemon curd dessert I had been eyeing. Then it came, warm and chocolaty and oh-so-comforting, and I was instantly converted to a bread pudding lover that night.
However if you have ever made traditional bread pudding, you know it is a calorie bomb. Between the half and half, heavy whipping cream, eggs, sugar, and bread - it's quite the indulgent dessert. Luckily it's pretty easy to lighten things up by making a few changes that don't sacrifice on flavor.
In this version, to celebrate the season, I added pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and plenty of pumpkin pie spice. It's the perfect dessert for Thanksgiving or any fall get together in my opinion. Depending on your will power, you may want to consider making the caramel sauce (from the Epicurious recipe this is adapted from) and some homemade whipped cream to serve on the side. You don't need a lot but it really adds a terrific flavor and in my opinion is worth the extra calories.
Lightened Up Pumpkin Bread Pudding
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 15 oz. pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 U eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1.5 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 10 oz. challah, cubed
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Instructions
(Hide Photos)Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together the half and half, whole milk, 2% milk, pumpkin, applesauce, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Add the bread cubes. Let rest for 20 minutes for the bread to absorb some of the custard mixture.
Pour into a prepared 9 X 13 baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a tester inserted into the bread pudding comes out clean.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.
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