If you have a craving for something warm, comforting, and bursting with Southern charm, this New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe will quickly become one of your all-time favorites. Combining the humble beginnings of day-old French bread with a luscious custard and a decadent bourbon sauce, this dessert is a perfect blend of creamy, sweet, and slightly boozy. It’s a classic treat that’s both simple to make and wonderfully satisfying, evoking the spirit and soul of New Orleans in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe is a breeze because each one plays a key role in creating the rich texture, warm flavors, and delightful aroma that make this dessert unforgettable.
- French bread – Using day-old bread cut into cubes ensures it soaks up the custard perfectly without turning mushy.
- Whole milk – Adds creaminess and helps balance the richness of the eggs and butter.
- Heavy cream – Boosts the custard’s silky texture and gives the pudding its luscious body.
- Large eggs – The binding agent that sets the pudding’s custard base beautifully.
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens the custard while creating a tender crumb.
- Brown sugar – Brings a subtle molasses flavor that deepens the taste complexity.
- Unsalted butter (melted) – Enhances richness without overpowering the delicate spices.
- Vanilla extract – Infuses every bite with warm, aromatic notes.
- Ground cinnamon – Adds comforting, sweet-spicy undertones essential to this Southern classic.
- Ground nutmeg – Offers a hint of exotic warmth that rounds out the seasoning.
- Salt – Balances sweetness and heightens the overall flavors.
- Raisins (optional) – Provides juicy bursts of sweetness and texture contrast.
- Chopped pecans (optional) – Adds a delightful crunch to complement the creamy custard.
How to Make New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Bread and Custard
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, granulated and brown sugars, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is perfectly smooth and fragrant. This custard base is where all the magic begins, and it sets the stage for the bread to soak up that rich, spiced flavor.
Step 2: Soak the Bread Cubes
Add your cubed French bread into the custard and gently fold it in, ensuring each piece is well coated. Letting the bread sit and absorb the custard for 15 to 20 minutes is crucial because it mellows the textures and guarantees that velvety custard center everyone loves. This soaking is a quiet step that makes a world of difference to the final pudding.
Step 3: Add the Extras and Bake
If you’re including raisins and chopped pecans, now is the time to gently fold them into the soaked bread mixture. Pour the whole delicious concoction into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden color and the center is just set. The aroma filling your kitchen will start to feel like a warm hug from New Orleans itself.
Step 4: Whip Up the Bourbon Sauce
While your pudding bakes, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth and glossy. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in bourbon, or substitute with vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version. This sauce is that perfect final touch—sweet, buttery, with a hint of kick—that makes this bread pudding truly irresistible.
How to Serve New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe
Garnishes
Serve your warm bread pudding with a generous drizzle of the bourbon sauce for maximum indulgence. A sprinkle of additional chopped pecans or a dusting of powdered sugar can add that elegant finish, inviting guests to dive right in. Fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream also pairs beautifully, balancing warm and cold sensations to delight the palate.
Side Dishes
While this dessert can stand alone, pairing it with fresh fruit like sliced bananas or berries gives a refreshing contrast to the richness. For a Southern-style twist, try serving alongside a cup of bold coffee or chicory tea, enhancing the authentic New Orleans experience right at your table.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties or special occasions, serve individual portions in small ramekins topped with the bourbon sauce and a pecan sprig for elegant flair. Alternatively, turn leftovers into decadent bread pudding French toast by frying slices lightly in butter before topping with extra sauce—an amazing next-day treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe keeps beautifully covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure it’s wrapped tightly to preserve moisture and prevent it from drying out. The flavors even meld further with time, making leftovers almost as good as freshly baked.
Freezing
You can freeze portions of bread pudding by wrapping them individually in foil and sealing in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to enjoy that comforting taste whenever you crave it.
Reheating
Reheat slices gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15 minutes or until warmed through to maintain the perfect texture without drying. Microwaving works too but be careful to avoid overcooking. A quick reheat with an extra splash of bourbon sauce brings back the luscious richness that makes this dish so memorable.
FAQs
Can I use another type of bread instead of French bread?
Yes, you can use other sturdy bread like brioche or challah, but French bread’s texture and firmness are ideal for soaking up custard without falling apart too much, staying true to the authentic New Orleans style.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the bourbon sauce?
Absolutely! Simply replace the bourbon with vanilla extract or even a splash of additional heavy cream. This keeps the sauce flavorful and rich without the alcohol.
Can I prepare this pudding a day ahead?
Definitely. You can assemble the pudding the night before, cover, and refrigerate it. Just bake it fresh the next day for best results. This step allows the bread to absorb even more custard, enhancing the final creaminess.
How do I know when the bread pudding is fully baked?
The top should be golden brown, and the center should feel set but still slightly soft, like a firm custard. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs.
Can I add other mix-ins besides raisins and pecans?
Yes, feel free to customize with chocolate chips, dried cherries, or even chopped apples. Just be mindful that traditional New Orleans style favors simple, classic ingredients to let the custard and bread shine.
Final Thoughts
Making this New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe is like wrapping yourself in a warm, fragrant embrace from the South. It’s a dessert that’s rich in history, flavor, and heart, perfect for sharing with friends, family, or treating yourself on a cozy evening. Once you try this comforting dish, I’m sure it will become a beloved part of your dessert repertoire. So gather your ingredients, and let’s bring a little slice of New Orleans magic into your kitchen today!
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New Orleans Style Bread Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This New Orleans Style Bread Pudding is a classic Southern dessert featuring soft, custardy bread soaked in a rich mixture of milk, cream, eggs, and warm spices. It’s baked to golden perfection and served with a luscious bourbon sauce that adds a perfect touch of indulgence, making it an ideal treat for holidays or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Bread Pudding
- 6 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (preferably day-old)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup raisins (optional)
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Bourbon Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons bourbon (or vanilla extract as substitute)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Soak Bread Cubes: Add the 1-inch cubes of French bread to the custard mixture and stir gently to coat all pieces thoroughly. Let the mixture sit for 15–20 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Fold in raisins and chopped pecans if using, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
- Bake the Pudding: Pour the soaked bread mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set and firm to the touch.
- Prepare Bourbon Sauce: While the bread pudding bakes, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in powdered sugar and heavy cream, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in bourbon or vanilla extract as a non-alcoholic substitute.
- Serve: Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly and serve warm with a generous drizzle of bourbon sauce on top for a rich, flavorful finish.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute vanilla extract for the bourbon in the sauce.
- This bread pudding is best served warm but can be reheated the next day with excellent results.
- Using stale or day-old bread is ideal since it soaks up the custard better without becoming overly mushy.
- Raisins and pecans are optional but add wonderful texture and a traditional flavor profile.
