Panettone Bread Pudding With Amaretto Sauce

A delicious recipe from Giada De Laurentiis. Prep time does not include the inactive prep time of 30 minutes to allow the bread cubes to sit.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• Sauce

• 1⁄2 cup  whipping cream
• 1⁄2 cup  whole milk
• 3  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄4 cup amaretto liqueur
• 2  teaspoons cornstarch

• Bread Pudding

• 1  loaf  panettone  bread, crusts trimmed, bread cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8  large eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups  whipping cream
• 2 1⁄2 cups  whole milk
• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar

Directions

1. To make the sauce:
2. Bring the cream, milk, and sugar to a boil in a heavy small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently.
3. In a small bowl, mix the amaretto and cornstarch to blend and then whisk into the cream mixture.
4. Simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes.
5. Set aside and keep warm.
6. (The amaretto sauce can be made 3 days ahead--cover and refrigerate--rewarm before serving).
7. To make the bread pudding:
8. Lightly butter a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
9. Arrange the bread cubes in the prepared dish.
10. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, milk, and sugar to blend. Pour the custard over the bread cubes, and press the bread cubes gently to submerge.
11. Let stand for 30 minutes, occasionally pressing the bread cubes into the custard mixture. (Recipe can be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
12. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
13. Bake until the pudding puffs and is set in the center, about 45 minutes.
14. Cool slightly.
15. Spoon the bread pudding into bowls, drizzle with the warm amaretto sauce, and serve.