Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding Autumn Baking Bliss

Ingredients

• 6 cups (approximately 350g) challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup (225g) pumpkin puree (canned, not pumpkin pie filling)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (50g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (50g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)