Heavenly New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Warm, comforting new orleans style bread pudding whispers stories of Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage.

Creamy textures and sweet aromas dance through traditional kitchens with nostalgic charm.

Southern bakers have perfected this delectable dessert across generations.

Soft bread soaks in rich custard, creating magical moments of pure indulgence.

Rum-infused sauce adds a spirited kick that makes taste buds celebrate.

Vanilla and cinnamon weave their aromatic magic into every delightful bite.

Dive into this classic recipe that connects you with authentic southern comfort.

You won’t be able to resist its irresistible, soul-warming appeal.

New Takes On New Orleans Style Bread Pudding

• Gluten-Free Bread Pudding: Replace French bread with gluten-free bread or almond flour bread cubes, maintaining the same rich custard and bourbon sauce.
• Chocolate Lover's Variation: Mix chocolate chips or cocoa powder into the custard mixture, creating a decadent chocolate bread pudding with dark chocolate bourbon sauce.
• Fruit-Infused Bread Pudding: Fold in fresh or dried fruits like raisins, dried cranberries, or diced apples to add natural sweetness and extra texture to the classic recipe.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute whole milk and heavy cream with coconut milk or almond milk, using plant-based butter to create a creamy, lactose-free version of the dessert.

Best Pairings For New Orleans Style Bread Pudding

• Sip Perfectly Matched Drinks: Rich bourbon whiskey or smooth dark rum complements the dessert's warm spices and creamy texture, enhancing the bourbon sauce's depth.
• Explore Complementary Beverages: Strong black coffee or creamy Irish coffee provides a bold contrast to the sweet pudding, cutting through its richness and cleansing the palate.
• Elevate with Dessert Wines: Sweet dessert wines like Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling mirror the pudding's caramel notes, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
• Serve Alongside Cool Companions: Vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream adds temperature contrast and creamy smoothness, balancing the warm, spiced pudding.

Storage Tips For New Orleans Style Bread Pudding

• Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container for up to 4 days, covering tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Wrap individual portions or entire pudding in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, maintaining quality for 2-3 months with minimal flavor degradation.
• Warm individual servings at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with aluminum foil to prevent excessive drying and preserve moisture, ensuring pudding remains soft and custard-like.
• Reheat single servings on medium power for 30-45 seconds, drizzling additional bourbon sauce to refresh texture and enhance flavor, stirring midway to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs For New Orleans Style Bread Pudding

• What makes the bread cubes different in this recipe?

The recipe uses day-old French bread torn into rustic, uneven cubes of varied sizes, which helps create complex texture and better absorption of the custard.

• Why use whole milk and heavy cream together?

Combining whole milk and heavy cream creates a richer, more luxurious custard base that provides deeper flavor and smoother consistency for the bread pudding.

• How do I know when the bread pudding is perfectly baked?

Look for a golden brown top and a center that is set but still has a slight wobble, which indicates the custard is cooked through but remains creamy and moist.

• Can I adjust the bourbon sauce's strength?

Yes, you can easily modify the bourbon amount to make the sauce more or less intense based on your personal taste preference, allowing for customization of the flavor profile.

What Makes New Orleans Style Bread Pudding So Rich

• Craft Simple Comfort: Enjoy a classic dessert that transforms basic ingredients into a luxurious treat without complex cooking techniques.
• Maximize Flavor Layers: Experience a rich culinary journey with creamy custard, spiced bread, and a boozy bourbon sauce that elevates the entire dessert.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations where you want to impress guests with a crowd-pleasing, indulgent sweet dish that serves multiple people.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adding optional mix-ins like raisins, pecans, or chocolate chips to personalize the bread pudding according to your taste preferences.

Ingredients For New Orleans Style Bread Pudding

• Day-Old French Bread: A staple ingredient that provides rustic texture and absorbs the creamy custard beautifully.

• Eggs: Creates a rich and smooth foundation for the pudding.
• Whole Milk: Adds creaminess and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances the luxurious and velvety texture of the pudding.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the top during baking.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and depth of flavor to the pudding.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm and aromatic sweetness to the dessert.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Delivers warm, spicy undertones that complement the sweet custard.

• Butter: Forms the base of the sauce and adds a rich, smooth quality.
• Powdered Sugar, Bourbon, Vanilla Extract, Salt: Combines to create a glossy, decadent sauce with complex flavor notes.

Steps To Bake New Orleans Style Bread Pudding

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to ensure nothing sticks.

Step 2: Create Bread Cubes

Rip the day-old French bread into uneven, rustic chunks of different sizes to add interesting texture.

Step 3: Whip Eggs

Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl until they transform into a smooth, pale mixture that will become the pudding’s creamy foundation.

Step 4: Blend Custard Base

• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Granulated sugar
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Whisk continuously to create a perfectly blended custard.

Step 5: Soak Bread Cubes

Fold bread chunks into the liquid mixture, allowing them to absorb the creamy custard for about 15 minutes.

Step 6: Arrange in Baking Dish

Transfer the soaked bread mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly and ensuring all bread pieces are fully coated.

Step 7: Bake the Pudding

Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center sets with a subtle jiggle.

Step 8: Craft Bourbon Sauce

• Powdered sugar
• Bourbon
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Stir until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Remove bread pudding from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to settle.

Step 10: Final Touch

Serve warm with a generous drizzle of bourbon sauce, creating a luxurious New Orleans-style dessert that will delight everyone at the table.

Tips For New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Success

• Select Bread Wisely: Use day-old French bread for the best texture and absorption of custard, preventing soggy or overly mushy pudding.
• Soak Bread Perfectly: Allow bread cubes to rest in custard mixture for exactly 15 minutes, enabling maximum flavor infusion without breaking down bread's structure.
• Prevent Overbaking: Watch pudding closely during last 10 minutes of baking to achieve golden-brown top without drying out the center, maintaining a soft, custardy consistency.
• Create Silky Sauce: Whisk bourbon sauce ingredients slowly and continuously over medium heat to develop smooth, glossy texture without burning sugar or separating butter.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Let pudding rest 10 minutes after baking to help it set properly, then serve warm with sauce for optimal flavor and presentation.

New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty New Orleans Style Bread Pudding beckons with Southern charm, blending rich custard and tender bread into a classic dessert. Warm bourbon sauce and delicate spices invite comfort, promising a delightful journey through Louisiana’s sweet culinary traditions you won’t soon forget.

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Ingredients

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Bread Base:

• 1 loaf day-old french bread, cubed
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Sweet Additions:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Bourbon Sauce:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Tear the day-old French bread into rustic, uneven cubes, ensuring varied sizes for textural complexity.
3. Whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl until smooth and pale, creating a rich custard base for the pudding.
4. Gradually incorporate whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to blend thoroughly.
5. Gently fold bread cubes into the liquid mixture, allowing them to soak and absorb the creamy custard for approximately 15 minutes.
6. Transfer the saturated bread mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly and ensuring all bread pieces are submerged in the custard.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the center is set with a slight wobble.
8. While the pudding bakes, prepare the bourbon sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
9. Whisk in powdered sugar, bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
10. Remove bread pudding from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes to allow slight cooling and settling.
11. Serve warm, generously drizzling bourbon sauce over each portion, creating a decadent New Orleans-style dessert experience.

Notes

• Rescue stale bread by transforming it into this luxurious dessert, preventing food waste while creating a rich, comforting treat.
• Allow bread to sit in custard mixture for maximum flavor absorption, ensuring each bite is saturated with creamy goodness.
• Consider using gluten-free bread for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the classic texture and taste of the traditional recipe.
• Experiment with different liquors like rum or brandy in the sauce for unique flavor variations that complement the spiced pudding base.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Creole

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg