Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Directions

1. 1
   For Pumpkin Bread:
2. 2
   Preheat the oven to 350F.
3. 3
   Butter a 9-inch loaf pan.
4. 4
   Whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves in a small bowl.
5. 5
   Beat the butter, sugar, and oil on high speed in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl a few times, until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
6. 6
   If you don't have a mixer, use a beater or mix by hand.
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   Add the pumpkin puree and mix until combined.
8. 8
   Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until just incorporated.
9. 9
   Mixing on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture and 23 cup water and mix until just combined.
10. 10
    Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
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    Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
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    Remove from the pan and let cool completely.
13. 13
    For Pumpkin Bread Pudding:
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    Preheat the oven to 325F.
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    Grease a 10-inch glass baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.
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    Spread the bread cubes on a large baking sheet and bake in the oven, turning once, until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes.
17. 17
    Let cool.
18. 18
    Combine the cream, milk, and vanilla bean and seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
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    Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, maple syrup, and pumpkin puree in a large bowl.
20. 20
    Slowly whisk in the hot cream mixture until combined.
21. 21
    Discard the vanilla bean and whisk in the bourbon.
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    Scatter the pumpkin bread cubes in the prepared baking dish.
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    Pour the custard over the bread, pressing down on the bread to totally submerge it in the custard.
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    Let sit for 15 minutes to allow the bread to soak up some of the custard.
25. 25
    Place the dish in a larger roasting pan and pour hot water into the roasting pan until it comes halfway up the sides of the glass dish.
26. 26
    Bake until the sides are slightly puffed and the center jiggles slightly, about 1 hour.
27. 27
    While bread pudding is baking, make your Spicy Caramel Apple Sauce.
28. 28
    For Spicy Caramel Apple Sauce:
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    Combine the cream, apple juice, star anise, ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
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    Remove from the heat and let steep for at least 20 minutes.
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    Strain the mixture into a clean small saucepan and place back over low heat while you make the caramel.
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    Combine the sugar, 12 cup water, and the vinegar in a medium saucepan over high heat and cook without stirring until a deep amber color, 8 to 10 minutes.
33. 33
    Slowly and carefully whisk in the warm cream mixture a little at a time, and continue whisking until smooth.
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    Add the apple schnapps and cook for 30 seconds longer.
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    Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.
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    The sauce can be made 2 days in advance and refrigerated.
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    Reheat over low heat before serving.
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    When the bread pudding is done, remove it from the oven and the water bath and let cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before serving.
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    Serve the warm bread pudding topped with whipped cream and drizzled with spice caramel apple sauce.
40. 40
    Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, if desired.