Cranberry-Pecan Bread Pudding with Bacon
from: Food & Wine

(bread, stuffing, side dishes)

Cranberry-Pecan Bread Pudding with Bacon
Cranberry-Pecan Bread Pudding with Bacon

A good loaf of cranberry-nut bread from a bakery has so much flavor that there's no need to trick it up with lots of ingredients. As the pudding bakes, the bread becomes almost custardlike, with a crispy brown top.

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 40 min
Total Time: 2 hr 30 min

Ingredients

2 1-lb loaves cranberry-pecan bread, bottom crusts
      removed, remainder cut into 1-inch cubes (12 cups)
      (HEB makes a good cranberry-pistachio bread.)
1 lb thickly sliced bacon, diced
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp chopped sage
2 tsp chopped thyme
4 C turkey stock or low-sodium chicken broth
2 large eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
(optional) extra dried cranberries and pecan bits

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a shallow 9" X 13" baking dish. Spread bread cubes on a large baking sheet and bake until golden and crisp, about 25 min.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, cook the bacon over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally until browned, about 7 min. Transfer the bacon to a plate and pour off all but ¼ C of the fat. Add the onion, celery and garlic and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 min. Add the sage and thyme.
  3. Scrape the onion mixture into a large bowl and stir in the toasted bread cubes, bacon and turkey stock. Season with salt and pepper, then add the beaten eggs and stir well.
  4. Let the mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.
  5. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish and brush the top with the melted butter.
  6. Cover with foil and bak for 45 minutes, until just set. Remove the foil and bake until golden, about 40 minutes longer.
  7. Let the bread pudding rest for 15 minutes before serving.
  8. Make Ahead: The Cranberry-pecan bread pudding can be prepared through Step 5 (before baking) and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.