BUTTERMILK PEAR PUDDING WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Christmas Memories

 

"Granny used to make homemade biscuits for our family breakfast each Christmas morning. One year, we decided to save her the work and bought store bought biscuits at the fast food restaurant the day before; however, not everyone in the family was in our little secret. As we ate breakfast, my cousin said, "Granny, these are the best biscuits you ever made!" My how we all laughed. For the record, although she didn't use a recipe, Granny made the best biscuits in the world!"

~Robin Wilson, Altamonte Springs, FL.

Gooseberry Patch Christmas

Savor the joys of Christmas Morning

with Buttermilk Pear Pudding

 

BUTTERMILK PEAR PUDDING WITH CARAMEL SAUCE
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar, divided
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cup flour
1 t. cinnamon, divided
1/4 t. allspice
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup pear preserves
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, softened

Beat 1/3 cup butter at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and beat well. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine 1 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 t. cinnamon and next 2 ingredients. Stir well and set aside. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Stir in pear preserves.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9-inch baking pan. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour and remaining 1/2 t. cinnamon. Cut in 1/4 cup butter with pastry blender until you have coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over batter and bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 minutes. Cool completely. Cut and serve with warm caramel sauce.

CARAMEL SAUCE
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup whipping cream
3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Sprinkle sugar into a small  skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring until sugar melts and turns light brown. Remove from heat and add the butter, stir until blended. Return to low heat and gradually add the whipping cream. Continue to cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. Mixture will be thickened and creamy when done. Serve warm.