Pumpkin Hazelnut Bread Pudding

Sophie made a wonderful bread pudding using Pumpkin Hazelnut Bread (recipe from this blog) that we all loved. It was adapted from a recipe that was itself an adaptation of another recipe. That's how things go. Each of us improving a bit on what we find. Try this version and see if it makes you as happy as it made us-

Pumpkin Caramel Apple Bread Pudding
5 cups cubed Pumpkin Hazelnut Bread
4 cups diced, peeled apples, tarter rather than sweeter variety
4 eggs
3 egg yolks
1 cup half and half
2 cups milk ( 2%)
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 tablespoon butter
Caramel Sauce:
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cube bread into 1 1/2 inch pieces. If it is soft and fresh, place on a baking sheet and dry in 300 degree oven for 10 minutes. Peel and dice apples. Whisk eggs and yolks, half and half and milk in a bowl. Add sugars, salt, extracts and spices then mix well. Butter a glass 9 x 13 inch baking dish and toss bread cubes and drained apple pieces together and place in baking dish. Pour milk mixture over bread and apples. Allow to stand for at least 15 minutes, pushing bread into liquid with the back of a spoon every 5 minutes. Put dots of butter across the top and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is just set. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Meanwhile, make caramel sauce by combining buttermilk, sugar, butter, corn syrup and baking soda in a large pan. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat. Keep at a slow boil for 9 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and serve 2 or 3 tablespoons warm over the top of each serving of pudding.

Hints: Dry or stale bread allows the custard to soak in better. A store bought caramel sauce will work great. Tart apples are a bit better than sweet varieties simply because of the sugar content in the custard and sauce.

This tastes so much like Autumn! It was delightful and we all enjoyed it so much. Thanks Soph for the "Halftime treat".  The football game could have gone better but the treat was just perfect!