Description
Sultry New Orleans Bread Pudding brings Southern comfort to dessert tables with rich bourbon-vanilla custard and silky caramel sauce. Creamy, indulgent slices invite sweet revelations that connect you to Louisiana’s soulful culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Base:
- 6 cups stale bread, cubed (preferably French bread or challah)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Sweeteners and Binding:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup raisins or chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup bourbon or dark rum
Instructions
- Arrange bread cubes evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring uniform coverage for optimal absorption.
- Craft a luxurious custard by vigorously whisking milk, cream, sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smoothly integrated.
- Incorporate optional raisins, pecans, bourbon, or rum into the custard mixture for enhanced depth of flavor.
- Delicately cascade the custard over bread cubes, gently pressing to guarantee complete saturation and even distribution.
- Position the dish in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven, allowing the pudding to transform for 45-50 minutes until golden and set with a subtle wobble.
- While pudding bakes, craft the decadent sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, dissolving sugar, and introducing cream and optional spirits.
- Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly, then remove from heat and infuse with vanilla extract.
- Allow pudding to rest momentarily after removing from oven, creating a perfect temperature for serving.
- Present warm, generously drizzling the rich sauce over the pudding, creating an indulgent New Orleans-style dessert experience.
Notes
- Choose stale, day-old bread for maximum absorption and rich texture that prevents soggy results.
- Experiment with bread varieties like brioche, challah, or French bread to add unique flavor profiles and textures.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting regular bread with gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut bread.
- Reduce sugar content by using half the recommended amount or replacing sugar with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg