How was your weekend? Good, I hope. Mine was fun but a little lonely, as my husband has been away on business in Texas. However, I made the best of the last few days by lining up a bunch of feel-good treats for myself… Saturday was a stroll through the Santa Monica farmer’s market, then a warm bubble bath and a teenage favorite, Moulin Rouge (sigh). Sunday, I baked some cinnamon rolls, devoured a hundred more pages of The Help and stretched out my stresses at yoga.
It was a nice few days of quiet. Except, no matter how many things I had to keep me busy, I still spent some time missing my sweetie.
Some people have said that eating bread pudding is like receiving a good, warm hug. So, since I’ve been wanting to try bread pudding and, frankly, could have used a hug, I knew it was the perfect dessert to snuggle up with.
After toasting a cut-up loaf of French bread, soaking it in a mixture of egg, milk, brown sugar, bourbon, vanilla and raisins, it was ready to bake. Drizzled with a little caramel sauce, I scarfed on a serving while reading outside and enjoyed every warm, flavorful bite.
The bourbon in this bread pudding is very subtle and was really complimented by the sweetness of the brown sugar and my homemade vanilla extract. The juicy raisins added a slight tartness, and the caramel… Do I really need to explain the pure bliss that is caramel sauce? I think you know.
Even though this delicious dessert (or breakfast) can’t help a heart in need of her husband, it certainly gave me the temporary feeling of being “hugged.” I can’t wait to enjoy this with him when he gets back, and I know you would really enjoy it, too!
Bourbon Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce loaf unsliced French bread
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/8 cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup raisins
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce, homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Trim crust from bread using a serrated knife, and discard crust. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes, or until toasted.
- Combine skim milk, brown sugar, bourbon, vanilla extract, and eggs in a bowl; stir well. Add bread cubes and raisins; toss gently. Cover and chill 45 minutes.
- Spoon mixture into a 9-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes or until pudding is set.
- Pour caramel sauce a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until warm. Serve with bread pudding.
- Enjoy!
The pictures are just perfect ! I love that pudding and especially caramel sauce :)
Wow, it looks great! Mouth-watering, indeed. We cook this pudding with cozonac (a Romanian sweet bread, similar to the Italian panettone).
This was the first thing that caught my eye on Foodgawker, and I didn’t even realize it was you, Georgia, when I clicked it. It’s just beautiful and I hope it was the warm hug you needed.
I also really like the pictures. Bread pudding is one of my top five comfort foods and yours looks delicious!
Classic bourbon bread pudding has to be the ultimate of comfort desserts. This looks like a fantastic & simple recipe. Beautiful photos!
This bread pudding looks like it was made especially for me!! haha It contains all the things I LOVE! Great recipe :)
I love bread pudding, and your caramel sauce sounds like such a nice way to enjoy it! As always your images are stunning!
Cheers
Dennis
I must admit, I have never been a huge fan of bread puddings….but probably cause they have never looked like that!!! I would devour that…YUM!!
Want it! That caramel sauce drizzling down is just an evil picture…evil I say! ;)
Oh… I want want want to eat this right now!!!
I love using alcohol in desserts for depth of flavor. Your photo of the caramel sauce drizzling over the pudding really makes me want some.
wonderful bread pudding enjoy your hubbys return home, and wow you have a beautiful blog
Rebecca
I know exactly how you feel! I hardly step foot in the kitchen when my husband is traveling, it just seems too lonley! This bread pudding looks awesome, though, and I’m glad it brought some temporary comfort.
Now, that looks decadent. And I wish I had a giant fork to dig into it right now, still warm from the oven. Forget dinner. I’d have this as my entree. ;)
wow this is picture perfect! Might be the best looking bread pudding I have ever seen.
It’s been ages since I’ve had bread pudding…but I do luv it. Your photography is breathtaking, Georgia! I’d eat a platefull of this right now.
Hope your Hubbs is home now and that you have a fantastic week. Thanks for sharing this gorgeous dessert. :)
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Cristina. My hubby won’t be home until Thursday, but I’m making the best of this week! It sure is hard to cook for just one, ha ha.
That looks and sounds amazing! I love your first photo.
Oh man… it doesn’t get better than bread pudding. Um, unless you add bourbon of course. This looks so good – perfect for chilly weather too!
This sounds like an amazing bread pudding.. I love bread pudding! It also sounds like you had a pretty good weekend despite your hubby being gone! (ps. Moulin Rouge is one of my go-to movies.. love love love)
Georgia this looks delicious! I love caramel sauce on anything, and I like that your bread pudding isn’t drowning, it has a nice texture! Love the photos too, they make the food look amazing!
This dish simply looks fantastic…great recipe !
Oh yes!!! Your bread pudding looks fabulous. Love it!! I know your husband was away but, it looks like you had a pretty good weekend.
Cheers.
Velva
There are few things that I love more than a good bread pudding…yours looks divine, my dear! I haven’t made any in a good while, but nothing smells better than a bread pudding with raisins and nuts baking away in the oven!
That looks sooooo good- I think I’d like to drink the caramel sauce. Sigh. I bet this tasted just like a hug. :)
This looks amazing! Your pictures are fabulous! Bread pudding is my husbands favorite dessert! Thank you so much for sharing…I can’t wait to give it a try! :)
What a magical take on a classic pudding – fabulous!
Hope the time goes quickly until your husband returns.
:-) Mandy
This looks delicious and that caramel sauce, wow.
Santa Monica farmer’s market has always been a favorite of mine. Hope your “me time” is going well :)
Gorgeous pictures! This looks absolutely delicious –I adore caramel in anything (hopefully it will still be as good without the bourbon). I really need to get with the times and make bread pudding already. :)
Bread pudding is definitely my go-to comfort food dessert. All that carbohydrate-infused deliciousness…how can you not get that sense that everything will eventually be right in the world? I love the addition of bourbon and caramel in this…definitely adds to its hug-like properties!
Yum, I love the bourbon addition to this…and the caramel sounds divine! It sounds so comforting! I am thankful that my husband doesn’t have to travel far away, I would hate that!
I love me some bread pudding, it’s one of my favs! Yours looks excellent!
I hope you two are reunited very soon! I know how it can ache when your loved one is away. But this bread pudding looks SPECTACULAR. I want to stay home from work and make my own. Thank you for sharing with me today…and thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your presence in my day!
Wow, completely stunning. This is comfort food at its finest!
*kisses* HH
Heh heh, I also watch my favorite old movies and chick flicks when my husband is out of town.
Your bread pudding looks fantastic!
Stunning photography! Love that bourbon sauce. And thoroughly enjoyed that novel. She wrote kinda like I talk.
wow this looks really gorgeous.. wish we live closer :) thanks for sharing ..i am loving the caramel sauce!
dear lord woman, you are killing me. I love the action shots too…and want that bowl! ha
Jen, I got the bowl at World Market for around $2, I think. It can be yours too!
I just made some whiskey bread pudding myself! I will be posting it eventually. Yours is beautiful and looks absolutely delicious – I could go for some bourbon right about now.
I also bake a lot when my husband is away for a business trip. Plus, the hubby is happy to come home to nice home-baked goods :P I’ll make some of your caramel sauce; it sounds so good!
Bread pudding is on my to do list! My favorite dessert I have just never tackled making it! This makes me crave some even more!
Oh my goodness! LOVING this!!
I hadn’t tried bread pudding until a few years ago, and it became an instant favorite! This looks fantastic, and as a single girl, I can use a lot of hugs. :P Bring on the bread pudding!
Easy and delicious recipe!….and very affordable. I coupled it with a caramel boubon sauce from food and wine magazine’s website. I’m actually making it for a second time right now…perfect for this time of year :-)