Pineapple Upside Down Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Sauce

“What do you want me to fix for you when we get home?  I’ll fix you anything you want!”  This was the question I posed to my youngest son in the recovery room after knee surgery for a torn ACL.  This was his third major surgery in the span of about 18 months.  The torn ACL occurred during his first basketball game back after the doctor released him to play from a broken elbow.  The broken elbow occurred during his first practice back after shoulder surgery  (his second shoulder surgery!)…but I digress.  Needless to say, I was prepared to fulfill whatever food desire he would name.  After all, it had been a pretty tough 18 months.  His answer surprised me.  I expected that he would request a stop at the closest fast food restaurant, or homemade pizza, after all, he was 17 years old.  His answer?  “I want your pineapple upside down bread pudding.”  Well I could certainly fulfill that request!  This is a delicious recipe that may look complicated, but it’s not.  Just layer a few ingredients together and mix up the yummy sauce that is its crowning glory!  It is delicious!  And the perfect prescription for recovery after surgery.

Ingredients:

20 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained

small jar maraschino cherries, drained

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

pinch of salt

1 loaf of rich egg bread or rolls or whatever bread you have

Brown Sugar Sauce Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 stick or 1/2 cup  butter (do not substitute)

2/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

Butter a medium baking dish and spread the crushed pineapple evenly over the bottom.

Distribute drained cherries over the pineapple.

Cut bread or rolls into 1 inch cubes and place over the pineapple/cherries.

Place enough bread cubes in the dish til it is near the rim.  Mix the eggs, egg yolks, brown sugar and salt together, then whisk in the heavy cream.

Pour the cream mixture over the top of the bread cubes in the casserole dish, and press down with the back of a spoon so the bread can soak up the cream mixture.

Bake for 30-35 minutes in a 350 degree oven, until nicely browned and custard is set.

While it bakes, prepare the brown sugar sauce.

Brown Sugar Sauce Directions:

Place butter and brown sugar in a small sauce pan.

Heat on medium. Stir constantly until melted and smooth, for 2 minutes or so.  Add cream and bring to a simmer.  Simmer until thick (5 minutes or so).

To serve bread pudding, ladle warm pudding into bowls, top with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and spoon a generous portion of brown sugar sauce over the top.