Layered Almond-Cream Cheese Bread Pudding With Amaretto Cream Sa

A rich, decadent bread pudding from Southern Living.

• Ready In: 1 hr 40 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

•  vegetable oil cooking spray
• 16  ounces  white bread, sliced and divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 9  large eggs, divided
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 3  teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 1 1⁄4 cups  almond filling
• 1  cup butter, melted and divided
• 2 1⁄2 cups half-and-half
• 1  dash salt
• 2  tablespoons  almond filling
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1  egg yolk
• 1⁄4 cup  slivered almonds

• Amaretto Cream Sauce

• 1⁄2 cup amaretto liqueur
• 2  tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1⁄2 cups  whipping cream
• 1⁄2 cup sugar

Directions

1. Coat a 13- x 9-inch pan with cooking spray. Arrange 4 1/2 bread slices in bottom of prepared pan, cutting slices as necessary to fit pan.
2. Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread half of cream cheese mixture over bread.
3. Whisk together 1 1/4 cups almond filling and 1/2 cup melted butter. Spread half of almond mixture over cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers once, using 4 1/2 bread slices, remaining cream cheese mixture, and remaining almond mixture.
4. Cut remaining bread slices into 1-inch cubes, sprinkle evenly over almond mixture.
5. Whisk together remaining 8 eggs, remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla, half-and-half, and salt; pour over bread cubes. Cover and chill 30 minutes or until most of egg mixture is absorbed.
6. Whisk together remaining 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons almond filling, 2 tablespoons sugar, and egg yolk until blended. Drizzle evenly over bread pudding; sprinkle with almonds.
7. Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until set. Serve warm or chilled with Amaretto Cream Sauce.
8. Combine amaretto and cornstarch, stirring until smooth.
9. Cook cream in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, just until bubbles appear; gradually stir in amaretto mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and boil, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Remove from heat; stir in sugar, and let cool completely.