Individual bread pudding are easy to customize for each person's taste. Drizzle with a little bourbon sauce and top with whipped cream, happiness will ensue.

This is the  Best Bread Pudding Recipe, inspired by my Mom.  Thanks Mom.

My Mom didn’t have much time for baking cakes when I was a kid; I don’t think she liked making cakes much anyway.  That’s really how I got my start in cooking.  I wanted a cake one day and I asked my Mom to make one, she said “you can read, get a recipe and make one yourself.”  So I did and here we are.  It was a win/win really.  I learned how to bake and she didn’t have to bother with it anymore.  While she didn’t bake many cakes she would make a delicious bread pudding for dessert.  I loved it then and it’s still one of my favorites desserts. This is the best bread pudding recipe I’ve ever made, hands down.

Making bread pudding is a sweet way to clean out your pantry
I used some of the ingredients in my pantry and in my fruit bowl.  Making bread pudding is a great way to clean out the pantry.
Baking the bread pudding in a water bath gives you a fantastic creamy texture. Everyone gets to choose their own mix ins with individual bread puddings. Put a little of the mix ins on top to identify each bread pudding.
Baking the bread pudding in a water bath gives you a fantastic creamy texture. Everyone gets to choose their own mix ins with individual bread puddings. Put a little of the mix ins on top to identify what’s in each bread pudding.
I made a large batch of the basic bread pudding recipe and let everyone add their own mix ins. My son chose chocolate and pear for his bread pudding.
I made a large batch of the basic bread pudding recipe and let everyone add their own mix ins to individual cups. My son chose chocolate and pear for his bread pudding.
Chocolate and banana bread pudding with peanut butter caramel
Chocolate and banana bread pudding baked in a 9 by 13 pan, drizzled with peanut butter bourbon sauce. I think Elvis would be proud…and full.

 

 

The Best Bread Pudding Recipe

10 cups of bread torn into pieces (about I and a half loaves)

1 quart of half and half

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

6 large eggs

2/3 cup brown sugar plus some to sprinkle on top

4 ounces melted butter plus some to butter the pan

½ teaspoon salt

MIX-INS you can use about 2 cups total of these mix ins in any combination you like: apples, pears, chocolate chips, bananas, raisins

9 by 13 baking pan or ten 12 ounce individual oven proof cups

Large, high sided pan to use for a water bath.

Heat oven to 325°

Lightly toast the bread pieces on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes, just to dry them out a bit.

In a large bowl beat half and half, vanilla, eggs, sugar, butter and salt.

To make in a 9*13 pan:

Put the bread into the baking pan or individual cups and add the mix ins you like and pour the cream mixture over.  Let the bread absorb the cream for 10 minutes push the bread down into the cream to make sure it’s totally covered.

Place the pan of bread pudding into the larger, high sided pan and place into the oven.  For the water bath pour water into the larger pan (Don’t fill the water to the top of the pan, it will be too difficult to remove from the oven) and bake for about 1 hour.  When finished, carefully remove the pan from the oven as not to spill hot water on yourself. . When finished, carefully remove the pan from the oven and let cool.  Place the pan of bread pudding on a kitchen towel to dry and serve with sauce, whipped cream or ice cream.

To make in individual cups:

Mix the toasted bread into the cream and let soak in for about 10 minutes.  Divide the bread pudding mixture between the individual baking cups.  Add mix ins of your choice into the cups, put a little on top so you can identify what’s inside each cup.

For the water bath place the baking cups into the larger pan (you may need to use 2 pans) place the pan in the oven and pour water into the larger pan for a water bath. (Don’t fill the water to the top of the pan, it will be too difficult to remove from the oven)

Bake for about 45 minutes. When finished, carefully remove the pan from the oven and let cool.  Dry the individual cups off and serve with sauce, whipped cream or ice cream.

BOURBON SAUCE or PEANUT BUTTER BOURBON SAUCE

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cream

1/4 cup bourbon

2 tablespoons of peanut butter (optional)

In a 1 quart sauce pan, melt butter, add brown sugar and bring to a simmer.  Turn off the heat, add the cream and stir slowly (it will bubble up furiously so be careful).  Return to the heat and cook on low for about 3 minutes.  Turn off the heat and stir in bourbon.  For peanut butter bourbon sauce stir 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter into warm sauce)

Best Bread Pudding Recipe

 

26 Comments

26 Comments on The Best Bread Pudding Recipe with Bourbon Sauce

  1. Ashley M
    April 28, 2014 at 6:47 pm (10 years ago)

    I’ve heard of bread pudding but never made it or even tried it! It looks so yummy though.

    Reply
  2. Aimee
    April 28, 2014 at 4:51 pm (10 years ago)

    Bread pudding is one of my all time favorites! Thanks for the recipe, that sauce looks outstanding!

    Reply
  3. Virginia Higgins
    April 28, 2014 at 1:23 pm (10 years ago)

    Would you believe I have never made bread pudding? That looks delish.

    Reply
  4. Amanda H.
    April 28, 2014 at 4:33 am (10 years ago)

    I have not had bread pudding in forever! I’ve never made it myself either. Hope I don’t screw it up!

    Reply
  5. Dawn Lopez (@dawnchats)
    April 28, 2014 at 1:43 am (10 years ago)

    Wow, that looks insanely good! I’ve never attempted to make bread pudding.. this looks like an excellent recipe to start with. Yum!

    Reply
    • sweetsavant
      April 28, 2014 at 3:19 am (10 years ago)

      I love chocolate in my bread pudding, too. White chocolate chips and cranberries is another good combination. I’m not a huge white chocolate fan but that combo is SO good

      Reply
  7. Shell
    April 28, 2014 at 12:14 am (10 years ago)

    Bread pudding is my husband’s favorite! I pinned this.

    Reply
    • sweetsavant
      April 28, 2014 at 3:20 am (10 years ago)

      AWESOME! Thanks for pinning.

      Reply
  8. Felicia
    April 27, 2014 at 9:47 pm (10 years ago)

    this looks delicious! Now I’m hungry 🙂

    Reply
  9. Marvelous Mommy
    April 27, 2014 at 8:59 pm (10 years ago)

    Yum this sounds amazing! I love your pictures and the individual cups! Pinning!

    Reply
    • sweetsavant
      April 28, 2014 at 3:21 am (10 years ago)

      Thanks so much for pinning! I do a smaller version on a muffin tin too, but I love it in the wide shallow mug.

      Reply
  10. Debbie L.
    April 27, 2014 at 7:35 pm (10 years ago)

    Pinned…this looks delicious! Especially since it is cold and rainy today!

    Reply
    • sweetsavant
      April 28, 2014 at 3:22 am (10 years ago)

      Yes, it’s perfect for a cold and rainy day. Thanks for pinning.

      Reply
  11. susannabarbee
    April 27, 2014 at 7:34 pm (10 years ago)

    I have never made bread pudding, but his looks sinfully delicious! I may have to try it.

    Reply
  12. kim
    April 27, 2014 at 4:54 pm (10 years ago)

    You had me at your first photo – now that’s how to take a great photo…I just want to eat it up!!

    Reply
  13. Debra Fazio-Rutt
    April 27, 2014 at 4:41 pm (10 years ago)

    My Hubs would love this! Anything with Burbon and bread.

    Reply
    • sweetsavant
      April 27, 2014 at 6:14 pm (10 years ago)

      you really can’t go wrong with bourbon! And THAT’s the truth.

      Reply
  14. gaynycdad
    April 27, 2014 at 3:11 pm (10 years ago)

    Ow, that looks delicious. I love a good rich sauce! And the pictures are making me hungry!

    Reply
  15. Robin (Masshole Mommy)
    April 27, 2014 at 12:07 pm (10 years ago)

    I have never had bread pudding and that Bourbon Sauce sounds absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  16. Terin Garrett
    April 27, 2014 at 10:31 am (10 years ago)

    Oh my gosh, this looks delicious!! I’m going to attempt it! 🙂

    Reply
    • sweetsavant
      April 27, 2014 at 6:14 pm (10 years ago)

      Great! Please let me know when you make it. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

      Reply
  18. Carly B
    April 27, 2014 at 2:41 am (10 years ago)

    Oh that looks sinful! I mean that in the best way possible. My mom has always been a bread pudding fan- I might have to make this for her!

    Reply
  19. Nadine
    April 24, 2014 at 10:44 pm (10 years ago)

    Wow. I don’t believe I’ve ever tasted bread pudding and have never had the urge to, until now. This. Looks. So. Delicious!!! Thank you for opening my eyes. 🙂 x

    Reply
    • sweetsavant
      April 24, 2014 at 10:47 pm (10 years ago)

      It’s delicious, I don’t know why I don’t make it more often. Well, yes I do. If I make it more often ilk eat it more often.

      Reply

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