Cane Syrup-Pecan Bread Pudding with Espresso Creme Anglaise (Emeril Lagasse) Recipe

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish with the butter and dust with 4 1/2 teaspoons of the sugar.
2. Whisk together the eggs, cream, brown sugar, remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, syrup, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the pecans, orange juice, zest, brandy, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and mix well. Add the bread cubes and let soak for at least 1 hour, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 8 hours.
3. Pour into the prepared pan, and bake until the pudding is set in the center and golden, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. To serve, cut into equal portions and top with the Espresso Creme Anglaise.
4. Espresso Creme Anglaise:
5. Bring the cream to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat.
6. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until slightly thickened and lemon-colored. Whisk 1/2 cup of the hot cream into the egg mixture. Whisk in the coffee powder, and cinnamon. In a slow, steady stream, gradually add the egg mixture to the pan of hot cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Remove from the heat and strain into a clean bowl through a fine mesh strainer, pressing against the strainer with the back of a spoon. Add the brandy and vanilla, and stir to blend. Serve immediately. (If not serving immediately, press plastic wrap on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate.)
8. Yield: 3 cups