PANETTONE BREAD PUDDING W/ BRANDY CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Soak raisins in the hot brandy for 15 minutes, drain. This makes the raisins less sweet. A nice touch.
• Meanwhile,heat a heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Butter panettone slices on both sides. In batches, brown both sides until golden. Set aside to cool on a wire cooling rack.
• Whisk together remaining ingredients (eggs, half & half, sugar, vanilla).
• Butter your baking dish or use nonstick spray.
• Tear toasted bread into bite sized pieces (not too small) and spread evenly into a 9x13 pan.
• Scatter the raisins over the top of the torn bread.
• Pour in egg mixture. Press the bread into the egg mixture using your hands.
• Let stand for 30 minutes, press the bread down into the egg mixture.
• Place the baking dish in the middle of the preheated oven.
• Bake until pudding is deep golden brown, crispy along the edges and just set. About 35-40 minutes.
• SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• For a more rustic look, spoon into your individual serving dishes.
• Top with Brandy sauce & a dollop of whipped cream (recipe below)
• WHIP the whipping cream! No need to sweeten it. The bread and caramel sauce is plenty sweet!
• BRANDY CARAMEL SAUCE.
• Please do not walk away from the stove while making this. This takes time but once the sugar starts to darken -- it goes fast!
• DO NOT STIR at any time!
• Pour water into a heavy bottom 2 quart saucepan w/ lid.
• Pour sugar into the center of the pan, taking care NOT to let the sugar crystals adhere to the sides (they will burn).
• Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
• Once boiling, uncover and continue to boil until the syrup is thick and STRAW- colored (syrup should register 300F on a candy thermometer if using), about 7 minutes. *I did not use a candy thermometer, I just watched the color carefully. Do not take your eyes off the syrup!
• Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook until syrup is a deep AMBER color (temperature should register 350F), about 1-2 minutes.
• Meanwhile bring the cream and salt to a simmer over high heat (bubbles around the edges of the pot, warmed just enough to take to chill of the cream). If the cream boils before the sugar reaches a dark amber color, pull off the burner and cover to keep warm. *covering is important so a skin does not form over the cream. You can use plastic wrap. Just place the plastic wrap it over the cream.
• NO STIRRING necessary!
• Remove the sugar syrup from the heat; VERY CAREFULLY pour 1/4 of the hot cream into the sugar mixture. *(It will bubble vigorously & may spatter). Let the bubbling subside.
• Add remaining cream, vanilla, lemon juice and brandy/whiskey; WHISK until smooth.
• Cool to desired temperature, it will thicken as it cools.
• Drizzle over bread pudding.