Pecan Pie Bread Pudding without the crust!

Pecan Pie Bread Pudding without the crust!

Ingredients :

• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 and ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup pecan, chopped
• 1 (16 oz) loaf day old French bread
• 2 and ½ cup milk
• 1 cup half & half
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup granulated sugar

Directions :

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cube bread the place in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs, milk, half & half, sugar, salt, and vanilla to eggs; whisk. 
4. Pour over bread. 
5. Allow to sit 10 to 15 minutes
6. In another small bowl, combine with a fork, softened butter, brown sugar, and pecans. 
7. Mixture will have the consistency of wet sand.
8. Pour half of the bread mixture into a 8×8 inch pan.
9. Top with half the pecan mixture.
10. Spoon remaining bread mixture over and top with remaining pecan mixture. 
11. Press down into pan slightly. Pan will be really full.
12. Top with remaining pecan mixture.
13. Place pan on a cookie sheet with a edge to catch mixture that may boil over. 
14. Bake at 350 45 to 55 minutes. 
15. Center will be slightly wiggly, but will set when cool. 
16. This recipe easily doubles for a 9×13 pan.
17. Enjoy!