Serves: 12
Ready in: 1-2 hrs
Difficulty: 3
Ingredients:

• 6 croissants
  
• 8 eggs
  
• 3 cups milk
  
• 2 cups sugar
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
  
• 1/4 cup almond paste -- cut into small cubes
  
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds Strawberry Caramel Sauce
  
• 2 cups sugar
  
• 2 cups whipping cream
  
• 1/2 cup frozen sweetened sliced strawberries -- thawed

Directions

Cut croissants into 1/2" pieces. Place in a greased 13x9" baking dish. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar and extracts. Pour over croissants. let stand for 10 minutes. Dot with almond paste. Sprinkle with almonds (dish will be full). Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Meanwhile, in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir sugar with a wooden spoon until sugar has melted and turned a deep amber color, about 20 minutes. Add 1 cup cream mixture (mixture will bubble). Stir in remaining cream. Cook 10-15 minutes longer or until caramelized sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in strawberries. Serve over bread pudding.