Leave the popsicles in the freezer and treat your family to a warm, homemade dessert straight from a winter's night in the grove.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 12 eggs, beaten
• 1-1/4 cups whipping cream
• 1-1/4 cups Florida's Natural® Brand orange juice
• 1 tbsp. finely shredded orange peel
• 2 day old 8-oz. French baguettes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (12 cups)
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Orange Caramel Sauce

• 4 cups Florida's Natural® Brand orange juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut up
  

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a very large bowl combine 1-1/2 cups sugar and the cinnamon. In a large bowl combine eggs, and 1-1/4 cups whipping cream; whisk into sugar mixture. Stir in 1-1/4 cups orange juice and the orange peel. Add bread cubes; let stand 15 minutes. Stir in almonds and chocolate.

Transfer bread mixture to a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 30 minutes more or until knife inserted into a portion off center (with no chocolate) comes out clean. Let stand 30 to 45 minutes before serving.

Meanwhile, in a 12-inch skillet combine 4 cups orange juice and 1/4 cup sugar. Bring to boil; reduce heat and boil gently, uncovered, until reduced to 1 cup (about 30 minutes), stirring and scraping sides of pan occasionally. Whisk in remaining 1/2 cup whipping cream; bring to boil. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; whisk in butter. Serve warm bread pudding with warm sauce.

Serves 12 to 16

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