Famous Dave's Bread Pudding

(UPDATED 3/31/20) In view of the baffling negative reviews here are some clarifications. PLEASE, READ THIS BEFORE YOU START. (Caveat: if you are counting calories/carbs or don't like sweets, this is NOT for you.) I have made this recipe at least once a year for the last 10 years; it always comes out perfect. On the matter of the CONSISTENCY OF THE BAKED PUDDING: I let it cool down completely after baking and it gets pretty solid; BUT remember: this is NOT a cake, but a pudding, it will NOT be “dry.” (Use a very large baking dish, for this is a very big pudding.) Also, I skip the bain-marie step and maybe this changes the consistency? About the BREAD: I use what the recipe specifies, one loaf of Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon-Swirl bread. I don’t remove the crusts and also use the ends. Link to the Pepperidge Farm web site: https://www.pepperidgefarm.com/product/cinnamon-swirl-bread/. On the PRALINE SAUCE: it is a SAUCE, so, it is somewhat runny! I hope this helps.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 1  loaf  pepperidge farm  cinnamon-swirl bread
• 2⁄3 cup golden raisin
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 3  cups milk
• 2  cups heavy whipping cream
• 1⁄4 cup vanilla extract
• 8  eggs, beaten
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon

• PRALINE SAUCE

• 2  cups unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chopped pecans
• 3  cups light brown sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 1⁄2 cups sour cream
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Coat bottom and side of a 2" deep (very large) baking dish heavily with butter.
2. Tear bread (including ends) into 1" pieces. Mix with raisins and spread it evenly in the prepared dish; be sure to turn as much of the crusts side down as they tend to burn easily.
3. Whisk sugar, milk, whipping cream, vanilla, eggs and cinnamon until blended. Pour over bread mixture.
4. (I skip this step) Place baking dish in a 4" deep baking pan. Add water to reach halfway up side of the baking dish. Bake for 1 hour in 325 F oven.
5. Remove from water bath and let stand until completely cold. (Keep in mind that this is a pudding, so it will NOT be "dry" like a cake.).
6. Spoon into dessert bowls, warm in the microwave and drizzle with warm praline sauce. Top with whipped cream and add a scoop of ice cream.
7. PRALINE SAUCE: (THIS IS A LOT OF SAUCE, SO I CUT IT IN HALF AND IT IS STILL PLENTY. Remember: this is a SAUCE, so it is somewhat "runny.") Heat 1 cup of butter in a large saucepan until melted. Add the pecans and mix well. Bring to a boil. Cook until pecans begin to change color. (Mixture will foam over, so use a large saucepan.) Add remaining butter and mix well. This will cool the pecan mixture and stop the cooking process. Remove from the heat. Combine brown sugar, whipping cream and cinnamon in a saucepan and mix well. (Do not beat after you add whipping cream, just mix.) Cook over low heat until blended, stirring constantly; increase heat--but be sure NOT to let it boil. Cook to 230 F on a candy thermometer. (This step is crucial, so find yourself a candy thermometer!) Stir in pecan mixture. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix well. Remove from heat.