She Strengthens

Sun-Kissed Bread Pudding with Orange Caramel Sauce

A Taste of Spain in Every Bite

Imagine a rich, velvety bread pudding infused with the warmth of orange zest and the sweetness of caramel sauce. This decadent dessert is inspired by the flavors of Spain, where blood oranges reign supreme. If you can’t find blood oranges, don’t worry – regular oranges will do the trick.

The Perfect Bread Pudding Recipe

This recipe yields 8 individual servings, perfect for a dinner party or special occasion. To make it, you’ll need:

• 4 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Grated zest of 2 oranges
• 12 cups cubed bread (1/4-inch cubes)
• 6 egg yolks
• 2 eggs

The Night Before

Heat the milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, and orange zest in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool, cover, and refrigerate overnight to steep. This step is crucial, as it allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Baking Day

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Put the bread cubes in a large bowl and reheat the milk mixture, removing the cinnamon stick. In another bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and eggs. Pour the milk mixture into the eggs and mix thoroughly. Pour this mixture over the bread and let it soak for a few minutes. Butter the insides of eight 5-ounce ramekins and divide the mixture among them. Place the ramekins in a roasting pan or on a large, deep sheet pan, adding about 1 inch of water to create a water bath. Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 1/4 hours.

The Orange Caramel Sauce

To make the sauce, bring orange juice to a simmer over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan, reducing it to 1/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl, adding heavy cream and setting it aside. In another saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, adding sugar and cooking until lightly caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add the orange juice mixture, stirring constantly, and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve and serve warm.

Garnish and Serve

Serve the pudding warm, topped with the orange caramel sauce, a dollop of whipped cream, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Beverage Pairing

Quady Winery Essensia Orange Muscat, California, pairs perfectly with this dessert. This lightly fortified wine tastes of orange peel, peaches, and spices, making it a delightful match for the sun-kissed bread pudding. Serve chilled and enjoy!