Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Recipe Ingredients

Here are the ingredients that come together to make our Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce recipe so popular.

Bread Pudding Ingredients

Milk: Provides the liquid base for the custard, softening the bread and creating a creamy texture.

Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and moisture to the bread pudding. It also contributes to a tender crumb.

Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread pudding and helps create a delicate, caramelized crust.

Ground Cinnamon or Nutmeg: Adds warmth and aromatic spice, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the bread pudding.

Large Eggs: Act as a binder, holding the bread pudding together. They also contribute to the custard-like texture and richness.

Dry Bread Cubes: The foundation of the bread pudding. Dry bread absorbs the custard mixture, creating a soft and flavorful base. Stale bread works best.

Raisins (optional): Add sweetness, chewiness, and a touch of fruity flavor.

Bourbon Sauce Ingredients

Packed Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and a deep, molasses-like flavor that complements the bourbon. It also helps create a thick, syrupy sauce.

Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and a smooth, velvety texture to the sauce.

Whipping Cream: Contributes to the creamy texture and helps emulsify the sauce.

Bourbon or Brandy Extract: Adds a distinctive boozy flavor that elevates the sauce. Bourbon provides a warm, caramel-like note, while brandy extract offers a non-alcoholic alternative.

How to Make Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Here are some important tips for making Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce, see the full recipe below for easy step by step instructions.

1. Heat Milk and Butter

Heat milk and butter in a saucepan until butter is melted. Don't boil the milk; just heat until the butter is melted.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, salt, and eggs. Whisk well to ensure the eggs are fully incorporated for a smooth custard.

3. Combine & Bake

Stir in bread cubes and raisins (optional), then pour in the warm milk and butter mixture. Make sure the bread is dry/stale so it absorbs the liquid well without becoming mushy. Transfer mixture to your baking dish, set in a 13x9-inch pan, and add boiling water to the pan to reach 1 inch deep (water bath). The water bath helps the pudding cook gently and evenly, preventing it from drying out or curdling.

4. Make the Sauce

Bring ingredients to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent the sugar from burning. Remove from heat and serve warm over bread pudding.

How to Store and Reheat Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Here's how to properly store your Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce to maintain its deliciousness.

Bread Pudding

• Refrigerator 

Allow the bread pudding to cool completely to room temperature. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the bread pudding to an airtight container. Bread pudding can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Reheating

To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds on medium-high (80%). Alternatively, you can reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

Bourbon Sauce

• Refrigerator 

Let the bourbon sauce cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container or a jar with a lid. Bourbon sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

• Reheating 

The sauce will thicken as it cools. To reheat, warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it returns to a smooth, pourable consistency. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, to prevent it from splattering.