Pear-Raisin Bread Pudding

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325F.
2. 2
   Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
3. 3
   In bowl, toss pears with 1 Tbsp.
4. 4
   sugar.
5. 5
   In cup, combine another 1 Tbsp.
6. 6
   sugar with the cinnamon.
7. 7
   Spread butter on bread slices.
8. 8
   Arrange 4 bread slices in 1 layer in prepared dish, overlapping slightly if needed.
9. 9
   Sprinkle with some of the cinnamon-sugar mixture and spread half of the pears on top.
10. 10
    Place another 4 slices of bread over pears, sprinkle with more cinnamon-sugar and top with remaining pears.
11. 11
    Cover with last 4 bread slices and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.
12. 12
    In medium bowl, whisk milk, remaining 7 Tbsp.
13. 13
    sugar, vanilla and eggs until well combined.
14. 14
    Pour egg mixture over bread slices.
15. 15
    Let stand 20 minutes, occasionally pressing bread into egg mixture.
16. 16
    Bake 50 to 60 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
17. 17
    Cool on wire rack 15 minutes.
18. 18
    Serve warm, or cover and refrigerate to serve later.
19. 19
    Top with whipped cream, if desired.