Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
This warm, rich Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce is pure Southern comfort — custard-soaked French bread baked to golden perfection and drizzled with a buttery bourbon sauce that tastes like a holiday in a bowl.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium saucepan for bourbon sauce
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 6 cups day-old French bread, cubed
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup raisins (optional)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1–2 tbsp bourbon (optional, in custard)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (for sauce)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or half brown sugar)
- ½ cup heavy cream (for sauce)
- ¼ cup bourbon (for sauce)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for sauce)
- Pinch of salt (for sauce)
- Extra cinnamon for dusting
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Add the cubed bread to the dish and let it sit out to dry slightly if too soft.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until smooth. Add milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until fully combined. Add bourbon if using.
- Pour custard over the bread in the baking dish. Press down gently to soak. Sprinkle raisins over top if using, and press lightly. Let rest 10–15 minutes.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes until top is golden and center is set but soft. Tent with foil if browning too quickly. Let cool at least 10 minutes.
- In a saucepan, melt butter. Add sugar and stir until thick and glossy. Slowly add cream, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in bourbon, vanilla, and salt.
- Cut or scoop warm bread pudding into portions. Drizzle each with bourbon sauce. Add whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Notes
For the best texture, use slightly stale bread. You can prepare the pudding a few hours ahead and bake when ready. The bourbon sauce stores well and reheats beautifully.