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Bread pudding is more than just a dessert; it’s a warm embrace on a chilly evening, a sweet reminder of family gatherings, and a delicious way to utilize leftover bread. This timeless dish has graced tables for centuries, evolving into various forms across cultures while maintaining its core essence of comfort and satisfaction. What makes our version truly special is the infusion of bourbon, which elevates this classic dessert into a luxurious indulgence.

Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Indulge in the comforting flavors of bourbon-infused bread pudding, a delightful twist on a classic dessert that evokes sweet memories of family gatherings. With ingredients like day-old brioche, creamy custard, and a touch of bourbon, this dish delivers rich, nostalgic goodness. Perfect for chilly evenings, serve it warm with a luscious bourbon sauce and a scoop of ice cream for an unforgettable treat. Discover the joy of creating new memories around this timeless recipe.
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Ingredients
  

For the Bread Pudding:

6 cups day-old bread, torn into pieces (preferably brioche or challah)

4 cups whole milk

1 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup raisins or currants (optional)

¼ cup butter, melted

A pinch of salt

For the Bourbon Sauce:

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup unsalted butter

½ cup bourbon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

Instructions
 

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter.

    Prepare the Bread: In a large mixing bowl, combine the torn bread pieces with melted butter. Toss until the bread is coated and set aside.

      Make the Custard Mixture: In another bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. You can also add a splash of bourbon if you like a stronger flavor.

        Combine Bread and Custard: Pour the custard mixture over the buttered bread pieces. Gently fold in the raisins or currants, if using. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes, allowing the bread to soak up the custard.

          Bake the Bread Pudding: Pour the soaked bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until the pudding is set and golden brown on top.

            Prepare the Bourbon Sauce: While the pudding is baking, make the bourbon sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, heavy cream, butter, salt, and bourbon. Stir until the mixture begins to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

              Serve: Once the bread pudding is finished baking, allow it to cool for a few minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm drizzled with the bourbon sauce.

                Enjoy! Revel in the warm, comforting flavors of this old-fashioned dessert that brings back memories of simpler times.

                  Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 20 min | 1 hr 10 min | 8 servings