The world would not be the same without storytellers and writers. Those who have the gift of taking the most mundane thing, for example going to the mailbox to get the mail, and turning it into a captivating story gives me great envy. They can articulate a breeze blowing, the crunch of grass underfoot, or a bird sitting on the mailbox in a way which draws you in and makes you want more. This is yet another thing I struggle with in the world of being a blogger: how to put into words everything about a Pear Walnut Bread Pudding or whatever I am sharing in any post.
Some stories come easier than others. Writer’s block is a very real thing. There are days I only want to write “it’s a great recipe so just make it” and yet I know it simply will not suffice. Why it is a great recipe is the first thing that comes to mind. Someone may want to know such information. There are personal back stories to start with, like how I have never cared for mushy, cooked fruit. The pears in this bread pudding stayed firm after baking and that made it stand out to me.
The vanilla sauce added another reason this bread pudding stood above the rest. Don’t put it past me to shove a few spoonfuls of it in my face for no apparent reason. It all goes back to my family’s recipe for Apple Strudel. Vanilla sauce in Germany is ridiculously good for whatever reason. Having that dessert after German potato soup is an experience everyone should have at some point in time in their life.
So what about the pear walnut bread pudding? It has softness from milk and cream soaked bread, chewiness of golden raisins, firmness of fresh pears, crunchiness from walnuts, plus earthiness of cinnamon and nutmeg. The crowning part is the comforting vanilla sauce. The photo is no indication of how I may or may not have drowned my portion in it.
Pears are a fabulous fall food. Scroll down to find more recipes featuring the bounty of autumn. Sunday Supper contributors have really outdone themselves celebrating the season. There a many great writers and storytellers in the bunch so be sure to check out each and every one in the list. I’m quite sure you will find several recipes to add to your to-cook list. Special thanks to Coleen of The Redhead Baker and Connie of The Foodie Army Wife for co-hosting this event. And be sure to let me know which fall produce is your favorite. It may inspire me to try something new for the season.
Pear Walnut Bread Pudding
Ingredients
For the bread pudding:
- 4 cups 1-inch cubes day-old white bread
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated or ground nutmeg.
- 1 to 2 pears enough for 1 cup peeled and diced
For the vanilla sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
For the bread pudding:
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
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Combine bread cubes, walnuts, and raisins in a large bowl. Pour melted butter on top and stir to coat.
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Whisk together milk, cream, honey, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate bowl. Pour over bread cubes and stir to combine.
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Peel, core, and dice pears to get 1 cup of diced pears. Reserve any remaining pear pieces to enjoy separately.
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Add the 1 cup of pears to the bread mixture and stir to combine. Transfer bread mixture to the casserole dish.
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Bake until center of bread pudding is set, about 1 hour. Serve warm with vanilla sauce.
For the vanilla sauce:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar and flour. Add eggs and egg yolk and whisk to combine. Whisk in half-and-half and cream. Transfer mixture to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture starts to thicken and just before it reaches a simmer. Remove pan from heat. Stir in the vanilla and pour the mixture into a bowl. Press plastic wrap to the surface of the sauce to prevent a skin from forming if not serving immediately. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in hot milk, 1/4 cup at a time until desired consistency.
Recipe Notes
A recipe for Pear Walnut Bread Pudding made with fresh pears. It is a wonderful fall dessert when pears are in season. Serve warm with vanilla sauce.
Are you looking fabulous fall food recipes? Take a look at these by Sunday Supper contributors:
Appetizers and Drinks
- Hatch Chile Hummus by Shockingly Delicious
- Pearfect Harvest Cocktail by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
Soups, Stews, Chili, and Casserole
- Butternut Squash and Spinach Chowder by The Texan New Yorker
- Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Sautéed Mushrooms by Cooking Chat
- Cheesy Potato Chard Bake by Food Lust People Love
- Fall Harvest Onion Soup by MealDiva
- Homemade Poultry Seasoning & Chicken Dumpling Casserole by Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
- Kale and Sweet Potato Stew by What Smells So Good?
- Pumpkin Chili by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Smoked Gouda Cauliflower Casserole by Casadecrews
Salads and Side Dishes
- Brie and Pear Salad by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls by Life Tastes Good
- Carrot and Chevre Souffle by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Fall Harvest Panzanella by Curious Cuisiniere
- Garlicky Roasted Butternut Squash by Panning The Globe
- Maple Roasted Acorn Squash by Jelly Toast
- Roasted Vegetables, Spiced Pepitas & Sunflower Seeds by Nosh My Way
- Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash by Ruffles & Truffles
Main Dishes
- Chicken alla Vendemmia by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Oktoberfest Schnitzel Melt Sandwich by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Ratatouille by A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin over Sweet Potatoes by Family Foodie
- Streamlined Weeknight Shepherd’s Pie by The Weekend Gourmet
Desserts and Baked Goods
- Apple and Cinnamon Cake by Happy Baking Days
- Apple Challah Baked French Toast by Desserts Required
- Apple Dumplings with Salted Caramel Rum Sauce by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Apple Hand Pie {Apfeltaschen} by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Apple Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies by Pies and Plots
- Apple Pie Bars by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Caramel Apple Cider Ginger Ale Floats by NeighborFood
- Chai Tea Jello Shots by Peaceful Cooking
- Cranberry Orange Baked Doughnuts by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Maple Glazed Apple Galette by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Parfaits by Chocolate Moosey
- Peanut Butter Ginger Apple Cookies by Ninja Baking
- Pear Walnut Bread Pudding by Magnolia Days
- Pumpkin Bagels by The Redhead Baker
- Pumpkin Cheesecake by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip Cookies by Momma’s Meals
- Pumpkin Coffeecake Muffins by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Pumpkin Ice Cream by Amee’s Savory Dish
- Pumpkin Pie Cookies by Fit Foodie Runs
- Pumpkin Scones with Maple Glaze by The Foodie Army Wife
- Pumpkin Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Rustic Apple Pie by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Southern Coffee Cookies by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Sticky Gingerbread and Apple Loaf by Mess Makes Food
- White Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookie Bars with Browned Butter Pumpkin Spice Frosting by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
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The Ninja Baker says
You articulated the perfection your pear walnut pudding perfectly, Renee. Quite a feat indeed to have firm pears after a stint in the oven…Your vanilla sauce with its German history has me intrigued, too!
Renee says
Thanks so very much Kim.
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
I, too, would be enjoying a few extra spoonfuls of the vanilla sauce and I love that the pears stay firm in this bread pudding. Great job weaving me through your post!
Renee says
I think the pears stayed firm because they were so fresh and new. So try to use the firmer ones when you make it.
Jodee Weiland says
This recipe looks beyond delicious! I love bread pudding, but with pears and walnuts this goes up to a whole new level of wonderful for me. This bread pudding deserves a story…thanks for sharing!
Renee says
Thanks Jodee
Susan says
Renee, that Pear Walnut Bread Pudding looks amazing! I love anything with pear, and this says Autumn to me! The vanilla sauce is a bonus! I think that I will serve this at my next brunch! Thank you!
Susan
Renee says
No, thank you Susan for such kind words.
Stacy says
What a great bread pudding, Renee! The pears and walnuts make this so special but the vanilla sauce puts it over the top. Simon would put either vanilla sauce or cream on every dessert and bread pudding is one of his favorites. Pinning this on my Recipes to Try board!
Renee says
Thanks Stacy and let me know how Simon likes it if you make it.
Laura Dembowski says
Bread pudding is so comforting when done right and this definitely looks like it was done right.
Writer’s block is definitely real. I wish it wasn’t.
Renee says
Thanks a bunch Laura
Katy says
I have never yet strayed from my grandmother’s traditional and simple bread pudding recipe, eschewing every other version for hers. But this, with the autumnal flavors, the pear, the honey and the cream – I think I may just have to give it a go! It looks so good!
Renee says
Thanks Katy and I’d love to see your grandmother’s recipe too.
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
I have never made a bread pudding, and I need to correct that huge oversight post haste! This looks so perfect for a cool autumn day or night. The flavors are perfect!
Renee says
I can’t believe you haven’t made bread pudding yet. You must because I know you will love homemade so much more.
Carla says
This bread pudding definitely has fall written all over it! And you’re a great storyteller. So much better than me 🙂
Renee says
Thanks Carla and you are so kind. I appreciate your compliment on my writing very much.
Nichole says
“It’s a great recipe, so make it”, may not suffice, but it’s a pretty TRUE statement! I love this one, Renee!
Renee says
Thanks a bunch Nicole and glad I’m not the only one who has writing days like that.
Christie says
Oh, Renee, this looks decadent!! And that vanilla sauce? To die for!
Renee says
Thanks Christie
Liz says
Whoa, as a huge fan of pears, this looks like one spectacular dessert. And I could drizzle your vanilla sauce over so many desserts…and I think a few spoonfuls would make their way directly into my mouth!
Renee says
You can drizzle the vanilla sauce over lots of desserts. I certainly do.
Lisa says
Renee, this looks amaaazing! I’m not a big dessert person, but I have a weakness for bread pudding. This one – with the pears, walnuts and vanilla sauce – sounds divine! Just the thought of vanilla sauce alone – I love vanilla!
Renee says
Thanks Lisa and this is by far my favorite bread pudding to date.
Shannon R says
Holy cow this looks amazing. I LOVE the pears and walnuts! The vanilla sauce just brings it over the top.
Renee says
Thanks Shannon
Amee says
I’ve got some serious cravings this morning, thanks to your inviting post!! I would love a sample of your bread pudding (that vanilla sauce-oh my!!) and a piece of apple strudel (one of my German favorites!) I can completely relate to your sentiment here, it’s hard putting our dishes into words some days. It seems that my writer’s block gets worse every time I have a deadline to make! Great post Renee!
Renee says
Thanks Amee and I’ll be sure to let you know when I’m making these again so you can come by and enjoy it.
Shaina says
Bread pudding is one of my favorite kinds of desserts. I’ve had some incredible combinations before, but never pear and walnut. YUM!
Renee says
I see more apple bread pudding and thought pears would be so much better.
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I love bread pudding! Pears work great in it and the walnuts sound perfect!
Renee says
Thanks Cindy
Katie @ ThePerfectBrownie says
Hi there! I found you today from a tweet by Choclette of the Chocolate Log Blog. (I like her “We Should Cocoa” event!)
Although I’m not a huge fan of raw pears, if you put them in a baked good I’ll probably eat the whole thing. Doubly true if they’re covered in vanilla sauce.
My mom is Southern, but her recipe repertoire tends toward the savory rather than the sweet. I’m looking forward to reading your blog; maybe I can pick up a few sweet recipes to add to my collection. Plus, #sundaysupper sounds like fun!
And do stop by The Perfect Brownie some time! 🙂
Renee says
Thanks Katie and I’m so glad you found my blog. I do hope you will come back and visit often and I’ll head over and take a look at yours too.
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Your words definitely convinced me! That sauce!! I could eat it with a spoon!
Renee says
Thanks Courtney and both my husband and I polished off the sauce one big spoonful at a time.
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
I’m drooling!!! I love bread pudding, and I love pears, and I love walnuts. Almost too much, I so wish I had a piece of this right now!!
Renee says
Thanks a bunch Julie!
[email protected] Tastes Good says
Renee, your thoughts on this recipe definitely made me want to give it a try, and your pictures are drool worthy too! Thank you for sharing this deliciousness!
Renee says
Thanks so much Marion.
Jennifer says
Writers block stinks….but your beautiful Pear Walnut Bread Pudding definitely does not! This looks sinfully delicious – wish I had a big piece right now!
Renee says
I wish I could give you a big piece of it right now too. One day they will invent a way to send it through the computer.
Sarah says
Bread pudding is so comforting and homey, I love it!
Renee says
Thanks Sarah