Bread pudding is a classic recipe that can be served as a dessert or even for Christmas brunch! It has a delicious rich custard that soaks into the bread with a decadent cinnamon bourbon sauce drizzled over top! You will love the warm cinnamon flavors in this delicious bread pudding recipe!
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Classic bread pudding is my husband's all time favorite desserts. I've made several different bread pudding recipes for him and this cinnamon bread pudding recipe is the best! Even our daughter has requested this recipe for Christmas morning and I think it will be perfect with a cup of coffee!
Why this is the best Bread pudding!
If you love bread pudding this will be your new favorite dessert recipe! This easy dessert recipe can be assembled in just 20 minutes and then the oven does the work while you are eating dinner. While this is a very simple recipe, it is worthy of a special occasion. The rich flavor from the custard is the perfect combination with the cinnamon bourbon sauce!
Key Ingredients
stale bread- I love the rich buttery taste of a brioche loaf. If your store does not have this bread available in the bakery you can choose another bakery style loaf of hearty white bread like French bread or challah bread. A cinnamon swirl bread could also be good in this recipe.
You could save stale bread for this recipe by placing pieces in a freezer bag and freezing until needed.
I would not recommend a commercially produced white bread because the texture would not hold up as well with the custard.
If your bread is not stale follow the directions to dry the bread in the oven. It only takes a few minutes and gives the same effect.
bourbon- Personally I'm not a big bourbon drinker (although I'm from Kentucky where it is produced) but I always keep a bottle in the house for when my brother visits. The bourbon gives the sauce an amazing flavor. You can easily substitute with a dark rum if you prefer.
pure vanilla extract- when a recipe calls for only a handful of ingredients I am a strong believer in making sure they are quality product. Skip the imitation and always go for pure vanilla extract in your baked goods and desserts!
milk- I used a combination of whole milk and heavy cream. You could use 2% or skim milk if you are trying to make this a little lighter. But this recipe is meant to be decadent!
Step-by-step Instructions
Start by cutting your bread slices into small 1-inch cubes and spread on a baking tray. Place in the oven to dry while oven is preheating. Stir to dry evenly. If your bread is stale you may skip this step.
Grease a large baking dish and place dried bread into dish.
In a large bowl combine eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, melted butter and cinnamon. Use a whisk to mix the custard ingredients, making sure to thoroughly beat eggs. There may be small clumps of cinnamon but that is okay.
Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes. Gently stir to saturate all of the bread pieces. Allow the bread mixture to soak for 20 minutes before baking. Heat oven while the bread is soaking.
Place the baking dish in a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 50-55 minutes. The bread pudding mixture will rise and is finished when it is no longer jiggly in the center. The top of the bread pudding with be slightly browned.
When the bread pudding is finished it is time to make the cinnamon bourbon sauce. In a small saucepan melt a stick of butter and add brown sugar and a teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Allow this mixture to come to a slight boil while whisking. Cook for 5 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the bourbon.
how to serve
Cut the cinnamon bread pudding into squares and plate each piece. Bread pudding can be served warm or at room temperature. Drizzle a good amount of the bourbon sauce over the top. You can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipping cream to the top.
How to store leftovers
Bread pudding does require refrigeration because of the eggs and cream. It is best to store in an airtight container. If your casserole dish does not have a lid simply cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Bread pudding will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Reheating leftover Bread pudding
Bread pudding is best served warm. You can reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute.
The sauce will need to be warmed as well because the butter settles to the top when its refrigerated. Just microwave for 30 seconds and give it a good stir before drizzling over the top.
Make-ahead instructions
You can completely assemble and bake the bread pudding a day ahead if needed. Allow the pudding to cool before covering with aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator if you are serving the following day. You can warm the entire dish in a heated 300 degree oven for 20 minutes or until warmed through. Before placing the dish in the oven let it sit on the counter to come to room temperature and keep covered while reheating. (It is not recommended to take a cold dish to a hot oven).
Variations
- Add a cup of raisins or dried cranberries to the pudding.
- Omit the bourbon in the sauce and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.
Looking for other delicious dessert recipes? Try these!
Easy Individual Tiramisu Cups {without Eggs}
Key Lime Pie with Chocolate Crust and Raspberry Sauce
Mini Egg Easter Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust
faq
Is bread pudding better warm or cold?
You can eat it either way, but I think it is the best when it is warm!
Is bread pudding supposed to be soggy?
Because bread pudding is made with lots of eggs and cream it has a soft texture. When it is finished cooking the bread will have absorbed all of the liquid.
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!
Cinnamon Bread Pudding {with Cinnamon Bourbon Sauce}
Ingredients
Bread Pudding
- 1 loaf brioche or other stale bread
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cinnamon Bourbon Sauce
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
Instructions
Bread Pudding
- Cut loaf of bread into small pieces. This should be around 10 cups once cubed. Lay bread on a rim lined baking sheet and place in oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While oven preheats dry bread, stir once and remove from oven when bread is slightly dry.
- While bread is in oven, make the custard by whisking together the egg, milk, cream. melted butter cinnamon, vanilla extract and sugar.
- Once bread is dried, place into a greased casserole dish. Pour custard mixture over bread. Stir gently to cover all pieces. Allow bread to soak for 15 minutes before placing in oven.
- Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 50-55 minutes or until the custard is set. The bread pudding will puff up and no longer be giggly in center. Set aside to cool. Pudding will sink as it cools which is completely normal.
Cinnamon Bourbon Sauce
- While bread pudding is cooling, melt butter on a sauce pan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cinnamon to the butter and stir with a whisk until the sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in bourbon.
- To serve, cut bread pudding into squares. Plate and pour cinnamon sauce over top. Serve immediately.
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Sam
Wow. This is absolutely delicious! Will definitely be making again!
Kayla DiMaggio
This cinnamon bread pudding is so delicious! I loved how easy it was to come together and it was the perfect easy breakfast for the family.
Emily Flint
This sound and looks divine! This will be on my table this weekend!! Yum!
Julie
I have been looking for a recipe just like this one and I almost gave up and then found yours! Amazing!!!!
Geetanjali Tung
It was so good! Making my second batch 🙂
Shilpa
This bread pudding is so yumm.. can’t get enough of it! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Cynthia Gonzalez
I added sliced apple , used 1 cup sour cream added rum and used maple syrup and poured on top , baked
I omitted the sauce and baked in a water bath
I also used cardamom
I know I did my own variation
Used less sugar and butter
bobbieblue
Hi Cynthia! I think apples sound so good with the cinnamon in the bread pudding! I'll have to try that!
Kathy Niesen
Hi I've had bread pudding before with pineapple and it's so good. I think your Christmas Bread Pudding Recipe sounds good too. Could you tell me if I could cook this in a air fryer and at what temperature and for how long. I have the 12 in 1XLPower Air Fryer, so that includes air frying and baking. I thought I would change the bourbon for Kahlua instead. Thankyou so much. Waiting to hear from you soon.
bobbieblue
Hi Kathy, that’s a great question! I have many air frying recipes, however I have not attempted to make bread pudding. I know my air fryer would not hold a casserole dish large enough for this recipe, but maybe you could make it in two smaller dishes and air fry at different times? That’s what I would do and set the temperature to 350 and cook for 20 minutes and see if it’s browned and set. I hope this helps! Let me know how it turns out with the Kahlua! My daughter loves this so I’ll be making it again for Thanksgiving!!