This smooth and creamy, golden-orange bread pudding gets rave reviews from all of our taste testers here at King Arthur. It's a great change-of-pace autumn dessert (think Thanksgiving).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, cream or half-and-half, milk, sugars, rum, salt, spices, and vanilla, stirring to blend.
Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish or a 9" x 13" pan; if you're going to refrigerate the pudding before baking, be sure to use a dish that can go from the fridge to a hot oven.
Place the cubed bread in the dish in an even layer, and pour the liquid mixture over it. Let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, or for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
When you're ready to bake the pudding, stir it together to redistribute the custard; quite a bit of it will have been absorbed by the bread.
Sprinkle with grated nutmeg, and bake in a preheated 350°F oven until set and beginning to brown, about 40 to 50 minutes.
Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream; garnish with minced crystallized ginger.
Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Try using our Pumpkin Yeast Bread. Or use any non-savory bread: brioche, a sweet bread, or plain white or whole wheat bread.
Want to use fresh pumpkin purée rather than canned? It’s simple to make your own; see how it’s done.
