There will be a potluck tomorrow at the Ladies Bible Class that I attend. It was said that each of us should bring a dish that you crave during this season.

“One dish???” M-am gândit. Bine, that’s the most difficult part!!! I absolutely love food. And my mind is always full of ideas. Rețete, ah, I have tons and tons of them, as well as cravings.

“I have to narrow down all the options a bit,” I told myself… otherwise, I’ll wind up showing up there empty-handed.

Since apple, pumpkin, nuci pecan, and sweet potato dishes are my fall favs – with chocolate and bread being my all time-favorites regardless of the season– I decided to make a Chocolate-Pumpkin-Pecan Bread Pudding this time.

All I can say is that I wish you were there to taste at least a spoonful. I must admit that I made not one but two baking dishes of the bread pudding– one for the ladies and one for my family, desigur. It just wouldn’t be fair to them (read ”me”) to not be able to enjoy some too, don’t you agree?

Enjoy the season — and this plate-licking dessert too!!!!!!!!

Chocolate-Pumpkin-Pecan Bread Pudding

Randament: Despre 10 portions

(Segment: De la masa mea cu a ta)

For the Bread Pudding

Ingrediente:

5 oua mari

2 (15-oz. or 425g) cans pumpkin

1-1/4 cups whole milk

1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream

1-1/2 cups granulated sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 lingurita de sare

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (12-oz. or 340g) French bread loaf, cut into 1-inch or 2.5 cm pieces**

** Pentru o fără gluten versiunea, use a gluten-free bread.

Direcții:

Într-un castron mare, whisk together the eggs. Apoi, mix the next 10 ingredients until well blended. Add the bread pieces, stirring gently to thoroughly coat. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 8 la 24 oră.

Preheat oven to 350° F (about 180° C).

Spoon bread mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake, covered, for 35 minute. Uncover and bake for additional 15 minute. During these last 15 minutes of baking, prepare the Chocolate-Pecan Sauce as follows.

For the Chocolate-Pecan Sauce

Ingrediente:

1 cup pecans, tocat

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 ceașcă unt nesărat

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/2 ceașcă pudră de cacao neindulcit

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Heat pecans in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, amestecand des, 3 la 5 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant.

Cook brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and cocoa powder in a small saucepan over medium heat, amestecand ocazional, for 3 la 4 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and pecans.

Remove bread pudding from the oven; drizzle/spoon with the Chocolate-Pecan Sauce. Bake for 5 minutes or until sauce is begins to bubble. Serve by itself or with vanilla ice cream. Se bucura!

Nota: Reteta pe baza Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings from Southern Living magazine.

_____________________________________________________________________________________