bourbon pudding recipe.

 

🥃 Bourbon Bread Pudding Recipe – Classic Southern Dessert

Bourbon Bread Pudding Recipe – Easy Southern Dessert

Make this rich and comforting Bourbon Bread Pudding with day-old bread, warm spices, raisins, and a creamy bourbon sauce. An easy Southern dessert for holidays and special occasions.

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Bourbon Bread Pudding Recipe

This Bourbon Bread Pudding is a rich, comforting Southern dessert made with day-old bread soaked in a creamy vanilla custard and baked until golden brown. It's finished with a silky bourbon sauce that adds warm, caramel-like flavor to every bite.

The combination of soft custardy bread, raisins, cinnamon, vanilla, and bourbon makes this an irresistible dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas, family dinners, and special occasions.

If you love classic Southern desserts, this bourbon bread pudding is one recipe you'll want to keep coming back to.

Why You'll Love This Bourbon Bread Pudding

• 🍞 Great way to use day-old bread
• 🥃 Rich bourbon flavor
• ✨ Soft, creamy custardy center
• 🍇 Sweet raisins throughout
• 🧈 Delicious buttery bourbon sauce
• 🍂 Warm cinnamon and vanilla flavors
• 🎉 Perfect for holidays and celebrations
• 🍨 Delicious served with vanilla ice cream
• 👨‍🍳 Easy enough for beginner bakers

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Ingredients

For the Bread Pudding

• 1 large loaf day-old French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins
• ¼ cup bourbon

For the Bourbon Sauce

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons bourbon, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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How to Make Bourbon Bread Pudding

1. Prepare the Bread

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Cut the day-old French bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large bowl.

Day-old bread is ideal because it absorbs the custard while maintaining enough structure to produce a satisfying texture.

2. Make the Custard

In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Whisk until smooth.

3. Add the Bourbon

Stir ¼ cup bourbon into the custard mixture.

If you prefer a milder bourbon flavor, reduce the amount.

4. Soak the Bread

Pour the custard over the bread cubes.

Gently toss until every piece of bread is coated.

Let the mixture stand for 15–20 minutes, stirring once or twice.

5. Add the Raisins

Fold the raisins evenly into the soaked bread mixture.

6. Transfer to a Baking Dish

Grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with butter.

Pour the bread mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.

7. Bake

Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still moist.

Don't overbake—the pudding should remain soft and tender inside.

8. Prepare the Bourbon Sauce

While the pudding is baking, add butter, sugar, and heavy cream to a saucepan over medium-low heat.

Stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.

Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Remove from the heat and carefully stir in the bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt.

9. Serve

Allow the bread pudding to rest for about 10–15 minutes.

Cut into portions and serve warm.

Drizzle generously with bourbon sauce and, if desired, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Pro Tips for the Best Bourbon Bread Pudding

Use day-old bread

Slightly stale French bread absorbs the custard beautifully without falling apart.

Don't rush the soaking process

Allow the bread to absorb the custard for at least 15 minutes. This helps create the soft, creamy center.

Don't overbake

Take the pudding out when the center is set but still moist. Overbaking can produce a dry texture.

Choose a good bourbon

You don't need an expensive bourbon. A smooth bourbon that you enjoy will work well.

Let the sauce cool slightly

The bourbon sauce thickens as it cools, making it easier to drizzle over the pudding.

Add pecans

For extra Southern flavor and crunch, add ½ cup chopped pecans to the bread mixture.

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What Bread Is Best for Bourbon Bread Pudding?

Day-old French bread is one of the best choices.

You can also use:

• French baguette
• Brioche
• Challah
• Italian bread
• Texas toast
• Plain white bread

Brioche produces an especially rich and tender bread pudding.

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Can I Make Bourbon Bread Pudding Without Alcohol?

Absolutely.

Replace the bourbon in the pudding with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and replace the bourbon in the sauce with 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract or a small amount of bourbon-flavored non-alcoholic flavoring.

This produces a family-friendly version while retaining some of the traditional flavor profile.

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Bourbon Bread Pudding Variations

Bourbon Pecan Bread Pudding

Add ½ cup toasted chopped pecans for a crunchy Southern twist.

Chocolate Bourbon Bread Pudding

Add ½–1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips to the bread mixture.

Apple Bourbon Bread Pudding

Add 1 cup peeled and diced apples along with the raisins.

Bourbon Banana Bread Pudding

Fold in sliced ripe bananas for extra sweetness and moisture.

Raisin Bourbon Bread Pudding

Increase the raisins to 1½ cups for a fruitier version.

New Orleans-Style Bourbon Bread Pudding

Use French bread, raisins, warm spices, and a generous bourbon sauce for a Louisiana-inspired dessert.

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What to Serve With Bourbon Bread Pudding

Serve it warm with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Bourbon sauce
• Caramel sauce
• Toasted pecans
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries
• A drizzle of heavy cream

For a Southern dessert spread, pair it with New Orleans Bread Pudding, Bananas Foster, Louisiana Pecan Pie, New Orleans Beignets, and Louisiana Pralines.

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How to Store Bourbon Bread Pudding

Allow leftovers to cool completely.

Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Store the bourbon sauce separately when possible.

Reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm them gently in the oven.

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Can You Freeze Bourbon Bread Pudding?

Yes.

Cool the bread pudding completely, then wrap individual portions tightly and place them in a freezer-safe container.

Freeze for up to 2–3 months for best quality.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is bourbon bread pudding made of?

Bourbon bread pudding is made with bread, milk, eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, warm spices, raisins, and bourbon. It is usually served with a sweet bourbon sauce.

What kind of bread is best?

Day-old French bread is an excellent choice because it absorbs the custard while maintaining its texture.

Can I use fresh bread?

Yes, but slightly stale bread is preferable. You can dry fresh bread cubes in a low oven for several minutes before using them.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes. Bake the pudding a day ahead, refrigerate it, and gently reheat it before serving.

Why is my bread pudding soggy?

It may have been underbaked, or the bread may not have absorbed the custard properly. Allow adequate soaking time and bake until the center is set.

Why is my bread pudding dry?

Overbaking is the most common cause. Remove the pudding when the center is set but still moist.

Can I leave out the raisins?

Yes. You can omit them completely or replace them with pecans, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped apples.

Can children eat bourbon bread pudding?

Because this recipe contains bourbon, it is best treated as an adult dessert. If you want a family-friendly version, use the alcohol-free variation above. Cooking does not guarantee that all alcohol is removed.

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Nutrition Facts

Approximate per serving, including bourbon sauce:

• Calories: 475
• Protein: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 125mg
• Sodium: 390mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 42g

Nutrition information is an estimate and varies according to ingredients, brands, portion size, and the amount of sauce served.

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Similar Recipes

• New Orleans Bread Pudding
• Bananas Foster
• Louisiana Pecan Pie
• New Orleans Beignets
• Louisiana Pralines
• Sweet Potato Pie
• Southern Peach Cobbler
• Banana Pudding
• Chocolate Bread Pudding
• Apple Bread Pudding

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Final Thoughts

This Bourbon Bread Pudding Recipe combines everything you want in a classic Southern dessert: tender custard-soaked bread, warm spices, sweet raisins, and a rich buttery bourbon sauce.

Using day-old French bread and avoiding overbaking are the two biggest secrets to getting the perfect texture. Serve it warm with bourbon sauce and vanilla ice cream for an especially indulgent dessert.

It's a wonderful choice for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinners, or any occasion when you want a comforting homemade Southern dessert.

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🍞 Recipe Card

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Soaking Time: 15–20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Cuisine: Southern American
Category: Dessert

Ingredients

Bread Pudding

• 1 large loaf day-old French bread, cubed
• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins
• ¼ cup bourbon

Bourbon Sauce

• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut day-old French bread into cubes.
3. Whisk milk, eggs, sugars, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Stir in bourbon.
5. Pour the custard over the bread and soak for 15–20 minutes.
6. Fold in raisins and optional pecans.
7. Transfer to a greased 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
8. Bake for 45–55 minutes, until golden and set.
9. Simmer butter, sugar, and cream to make the sauce.
10. Remove from heat and carefully stir in bourbon, vanilla, and salt.
11. Rest the pudding for 10–15 minutes.
12. Serve warm with bourbon sauce and vanilla ice cream.

⭐ Pro Tip: For the best texture, use day-old French bread and let it soak thoroughly before baking.