CROISSANT BREAD PUDDING

Croissant Bread Pudding image

Provided by Vickie Parks

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 7

butter (to coat baking dish)
4 large croissants (a great use of stale, day-old croissants)
1 pt heavy cream
1/2 c granulated sugar
3 large egg yolks, beaten
8 oz caramel sauce (i use the jarred caramel ice cream topping)
whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, to serve (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9x9-inch baking dish; set aside.
2. Cut the croissants in half lengthwise, then cut each piece in half. Place the croissant pieces in the bottom of the buttered baking dish, overlapping the sides of the croissants.
3. In a medium saucepan, scald the cream and sugar over low heat (heat the mixture just until it leaves a slight milky coat on the back of a spoon). Add the egg yolks, and mix just enough to blend well. Pour the mixture over the croissants. Let stand about 5 or 10 minutes (to allow the custard to thoroughly soak into the croissant pieces. Drizzle the caramel sauce on top of moist croissants.
4. Bake at 350º for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tops of the croissants are turning golden brown.
5. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes, or just enough to easily handle the pan. Cut and serve while still warm, topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.