Bread Pudding

This recipe is really simple.  I make it a lot and it is really good served warm or cold.  I like to add some caramel to the top when it is warm and it just tops it off great!

INGREDIENTS:

1  loaf of cinnamon bread
1/2  pack of any kind of pastry, I use bowtie doughnuts or a cinnamon roll 

5  egg yolks
3  whole eggs
1  cup sugar
5  cups heavy whipping cream
1/4  tsp cinnamon
1/4  tsp nutmeg
1/4  tsp cardamom
1/2  tsp vanilla flavoring
1/2  tsp butter flavoring
4  tbsp bourbon  (optional)


PREPARATION:  Preheat oven to 220 degrees

Cut  the  loaf of cinnamon bread and pastry into about 1 inch pieces and set aside in a large bowl.

After separating the 5 eggs,  put the yolks into a large bowl.  Add the 3 whole eggs.  Using a mixer,  slightly mix the eggs together to blend, about 30 seconds.   Add the sugar,  heavy whipping cream, spices, flavorings and bourbon if you choose to put it in.
Note: the alcohol will mostly cook out and it will just add the flavor.
With mixer on medium speed , blend together to incorporate all the ingredients together.
Pour the mixture over the bread in the large bowl.  Let it stand to soak up the liquid for about 5 to 10 minutes. 
Prepare a large pan,  usually I use a 9x13 
You can oil it slightly if you wish but I do not.
When the mixture is soaked into the bread , pour  the mix into the pan.  The way to cook this is in a water bath.  You need a larger pan than you are cooking the pudding in.  If you don't have one that large , then I would separate it into two smaller pans.  Put them into the larger pan with about 1 inch of water in the bottom of the pan you are using for the water bath.

Cook for about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
It will rise a lot, that is normal.  Usually it does not come over the top of the pan . Depending on how hot your oven gets,  check it at about 55 minutes to see if it is browning.  It  does not always test done in the usual way, with a toothpick.  It may still seem a little doughy.  It it has risen and is golden brown on the top and has cooked at least one hr. to one hr. and 10 minutes it is probably done.  Allow it to cool a few minutes.
 While still warm, I pour some caramel topping over it.
Serve Hot or Cold. 

ENJOY!!!