Bread pudding is one of our very favorite desserts. As a matter of fact, Mama Roza has one entire recipe file devoted to only bread pudding recipes. This one, by Paula Jones, is one of Mama G’s favorites, and we thought you may enjoy giving it a try over the Thanksgiving holidays. It qualifies as “amazing” if you are a bread pudding lover.

Ingredients
• 1 16 oz loaf of day-old French bread
• 2 and 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup half & half (you can substitute whole milk or heavy cream)
• 4 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 1 and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1-2 cups pecan chopped or whole (choose to your liking)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cube bread then place in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs, milk, half & half, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Pour over the bread and allow to sit 5 to 10 minutes
4. In another small bowl, combine with a fork, softened butter, brown sugar, and pecans. This mixture will have the consistency of wet sand.
5. Pour half of the bread mixture into a greased 8×8 inch pan. (Yes, 8×8-inch pan.)
6. Top with half of the pecan mixture.
7. Spoon remaining bread mixture over and top with remaining pecan mixture. Press down into pan slightly. Pan will be really full.
8. Top with remaining pecan mixture.
9. Place pan on a cookie sheet with a 1-inch edge to catch any mixture that may boil over. (It will.)
10. Bake at 350 degrees F 45 to 55 minutes.
11. The center will be slightly jiggly but will set when cool.
12. Allow to cool 20 to 30 minutes before serving so that the slices will hold together. (This makes the juice creamy.)
13. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if you want.