Description
A comforting, easy Pecan Pie Bread Pudding with luscious Bourbon Sauce, perfect for family dinners. Features stale bread, pecans, and a rich custard.
Ingredients
- Stale Bread: 8-10 cups (about 1 standard loaf) of day-old challah, brioche, or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Large Eggs: 4
- Whole Milk or Cream: 2 cups (480ml)
- Granulated Sugar: 3/4 cup (150g)
- Vanilla Extract: 1 tablespoon
- Chopped Pecans: 1 cup (115g)
- Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (113g) for the sauce, plus extra for greasing the dish.
- Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup (100g) for the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: 1/4 cup (60ml) for the sauce.
- Bourbon: 2 tablespoons (30ml), optional, for the sauce.
- Salt: A pinch
Instructions
- Prepare Your Bread: Cut 8-10 cups of stale bread into 1-inch cubes. If your bread isn’t quite stale, spread it on a baking sheet and let it air dry for an hour or two, or briefly toast in a low oven (200°F/95°C) for 15 minutes.
- Whisk the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the 4 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness), 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Combine & Soak: Add the bread cubes and 1 cup of chopped pecans to the custard mixture. Gently fold until all the bread is coated. Let this mixture soak for 20-30 minutes at room temperature, pressing occasionally to ensure full absorption.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Pour the soaked mixture into a buttered 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes, or until it’s golden brown on top and set in the center. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean.
- Prepare the Bourbon Sauce: While the pudding bakes, melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup heavy cream, and the 2 tablespoons of bourbon (if using). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, whisking constantly, until it’s slightly thickened, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Serve & Enjoy: Let the Pecan Pie Bread Pudding cool slightly after baking for easier serving. Drizzle generously with the warm Bourbon Sauce.
Notes
Substitutions & Variations: For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, or a dash of cinnamon. For a dairy-free option, use unsweetened almond/oat milk and a plant-based cream alternative. Make it gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free bread. Sugar alternatives like maple syrup or brown sugar can also be used.
Vegan Option: Use plant-based milk, flax ‘eggs’ (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg), and vegan butter.
Troubleshooting: Ensure bread is adequately soaked and avoid overbaking or underbaking for optimal texture. Using slightly stale bread is key.
*Nutrition information is an estimate based on ingredients and typical serving sizes.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: Pecan Pie Bread Pudding