Spiced Fig Bread Pudding

 

Prep: 25 minutes ...Start to finish : 10 hours ... Makes 10 servings

10 ................ounces  Brioche , Challah or french bread , cut into  3/4-inch slices  then cut  into 3/4-inch cubes  (7 cups)
27 ................dried  Mission figs  (about 7 ounces) stems removed
2 ..................cups boiling water
2 ..................teaspoons  butter , softened
4 ..................whole eggs
1...................egg yolk
1/4 ...............cup granulated sugar
3 ..................cups half-and-half
1 ..................teaspoon grated orange peel
1 ..................teaspoon vanilla
1/2 ...............teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 ...............teaspoon ground allspice
1 ..................tablespoon coarse sugar , if desired
1 ..................cup whipping cream
2 ..................tablespoons granulated sugar

1)       On 17x12-inch half-sheet pan , place bread  cubes  . Let stand uncovered  8 hours to dry .
2)       In a small bowl , place figs covered with boiling water . Let stand 15 minutes   or until figs  are softened . Drain , coarsely chopped figs .
3)        Greased  11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish  with softened butter . In a large bowl , beat whole eggs  , egg yolk  . 2/4 cup granulated  sugar , the half-and-half  , orange peel  , vanilla  , ginger  and allspice  with wire whisk  until well blended . Gently stir in bread  cubes  and figs . Pour into baking dish  . Let stand 30 minutes  .
4)         Heat oven 325*F. Sprinkle  coarse sugar over bread pudding  . Bake 1 hour 20 minutes  or until top  is puffed and light golden brown . Cool 5 minutes .
5)         In chilled medium bowl  , beat whipping cream  and 2 tablespoons  granulated  sugar with electris mixer  on high  speed until stiff peaks  form (do not overbeat) Serve with warm berad pudding .
Heart healthy