Move over Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie, I have a new love!

I am making something new this year for the Thanksgiving dessert collection at my house! Move over Pumpkin pie, I am in LOVE! I tried this recipe out for Sunday Supper last night, and my non dessert eating guest, Jerry had 2 helpings! Whoa now that's a rave review at my house.

I served it with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, the ooozzee yumminess of the melting ice cream on the warm, spicey pumpkiny earthy goodness of the bread pudding, made me swoon.

I have a new love!

Pumpkin Bread Pudding~

yield: Makes 8 servings

active time: 15 min

total time: 45 min

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy cream, *milk can be a substitute for cream
• 3/4 cup canned solid-pack organic pumpkin
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 large eggs 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 cups cubed (1-inch) day-old raisin bread
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
Whisk together cream, pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs, yolk, salt, and spices in a bowl.
Toss bread cubes with butter in another bowl, then add pumpkin mixture and toss to coat. Transfer to an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish and bake until custard is set, 25 to 30 minutes.
Serve with a dollop of vanilla ice cream ~optional*

I got a message today, from my adorable girlfriend in Italy she had a great suggestion and a great question as well

*From Nicky in Siena ~ "The Pumpkin recipe you posted sounded good, but its all in cups and can I use fresh pumpkin ? I will use Xmas Panettone for the raisin bread... xx"

my answer was that I would bring her measures from the U.S. next time I come, and that she could use fresh pumpkin, to roast it first, Panettone, brilliant, I will use this myself!

Nicky and her husband,GianLuca own an amazing restaurant in Mykonos, called Bandanna, they winter in Tuscany and summer in Mykonos. I have asked her to share some of her fav recipes, and she said yes, so look for wonderful Tuscan inspired recipes from this amazing couple coming soon...