Pecan Pie Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz) loaf day-old French bread
• 2 and ½ cups milk
• 1 cup half & half
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 and ½ cups packed brown sugar
• 1 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cube the French bread and place it in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, half & half, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla. Pour this mixture over the cubed bread and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and chopped pecans using a fork. The mixture should resemble wet sand.
5. Pour half of the bread mixture into an 8×8 inch pan. Top it with half of the pecan mixture. Spoon the remaining bread mixture over it and top with the remaining pecan mixture. Press down slightly into the pan. The pan will be quite full.
6. Place the pan on a cookie sheet with an edge to catch any mixture that may boil over.
7. Bake at 350°F for 45 to 55 minutes. The center will be slightly wiggly but will set when cooled. This recipe can be doubled for a 9×13 inch pan.

Enjoy!