Description
A decadent bread pudding featuring rich, flavorful babka bread soaked in a spiced custard and baked to perfection, topped with an indulgent homemade brown butter bourbon sauce. This dessert is perfect for special occasions or any time you want a comforting, show-stopping treat.
Ingredients
Bread Pudding
- 6 cups babka bread, cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Brown Butter Bourbon Sauce
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F to ensure it’s ready for baking the bread pudding.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish with butter or non-stick spray, then evenly spread the cubed babka bread inside.
- Make Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until smooth and fully combined.
- Assemble Bread Pudding: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the babka cubes, gently pressing the bread down with a spatula or spoon to ensure it soaks up the custard.
- Rest the Mixture: Allow the mixture to rest for 15 minutes so the bread absorbs the custard, resulting in a moist and flavorful pudding.
- Bake: Bake the bread pudding uncovered in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
- Make Brown Butter Bourbon Sauce: While the pudding bakes, melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow it to brown lightly, stirring frequently until it has a nutty aroma.
- Add Sugar and Cream: Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, then let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Finish Sauce: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the bourbon and vanilla extract. Mix well to combine.
- Serve: Serve the warm bread pudding with a generous drizzle of the brown butter bourbon sauce on top for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- Either chocolate or cinnamon-flavored babka works wonderfully for this recipe.
- The brown butter bourbon sauce can be prepared ahead of time and gently reheated before serving.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute bourbon with additional vanilla extract or a splash of apple juice.
- Use a sturdy bread like babka to ensure the pudding holds its shape and soaks up the custard well.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Modern American
