FRENCH TOAST BAGEL PUDDING
Panera Bread Recipe
Serves 6
2 Panera Bread French Toast Bagels, cut into bite-size pieces
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
4 large eggs
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 cup half-and-half
grated zest of a 1/2 orange
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 2-quart baking dish or eight 6- to 8-ounce ramekins with cooking spray and set the dish or ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet. Put bagel pieces in baking dish or ramekins in an even layer. If using raisins, scatter on top. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until blended. Whisk in milk, half-and-half, and orange zest. Pour egg mixture over bagel pieces, then press down with a spatula until completely coated. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, pressing down now and then to saturate bagel pieces.
Put baking sheet with the baking dish or ramekins in the oven, then pour very hot tap water into the baking sheet to about 1/4 inch up the sides of the baking dish or ramekins. Bake until pudding is just set in the center, 60 to 75 minutes for the baking dish or 35 to 45 minutes for ramekins. Remove and let cool until warm to the touch.
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