Rustic Pioneer Woman Bread Pudding Recipe: Homemade Joy

Pioneer Woman’s bread pudding emerges as a culinary symphony of comfort and decadence, weaving magic from everyday ingredients.

Soft, pillowy bread bathes in a luscious custard that promises pure indulgence.

Warm golden-brown edges hint at the nostalgic soul of southern cooking.

Delicate spices whisper through each heavenly layer, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert.

Generations of passionate cooks have cherished this recipe, passing down its delectable secrets.

Velvety textures and rich flavors beckon you to savor every single spoonful of this irresistible treat.

The ultimate dessert awaits, ready to transport you to a world of pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

Bread Pudding Ingredients Needed

• Eggs: Choose fresh, large eggs with clean, uncracked shells for richest flavor.
• Sourdough Bread: Select day-old bread for better absorption and enhanced texture.
• Milk: Whole milk provides creamier and more luxurious pudding consistency.
• Butter: Use unsalted butter for precise flavor control and smooth melting.
• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract to ensure deep, authentic taste.
• Sugar: Select fine granulated sugar for seamless dissolution.

• Pecans: Pick crisp, golden-brown pecans without any rancid smell for maximum crunch.

• Heavy Cream: Select high-fat content cream for silkier, richer sauce.
• Whiskey, Vanilla Extract: Choose quality bourbon or premium vanilla for sophisticated flavor depth.

Equipment for Bread Pudding Success

• Mixing Bowl: Large, spacious bowl perfect for whisking eggs and creating smooth pudding base.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending ingredients thoroughly and eliminating lumps.
• 9-inch Square Baking Dish: Ideal for layering bread cubes and creating perfect pudding texture.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for slicing sourdough bread into neat cubes.
• Sharp Knife: Precise tool for cutting bread into uniform 1-inch pieces.
• Measuring Cups: Accurate for portioning ingredients like milk and sugar.
• Saucepan: Small pot for preparing creamy whiskey sauce with even heat distribution.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring sauce and preventing scorching.
• Oven: Preheated to 325°F for baking pudding to golden perfection.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add exact amounts of vanilla and other liquid ingredients.

Easy Instructions for Bread Pudding

• Craft the Pudding Base

Whisk eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and milk together in a large bowl. Blend sugar completely into the mixture until smooth and well-incorporated.

• Layer Bread with Care

Slice sourdough into bite-sized cubes and nestle them tightly in a baking dish. Position some bread crusts around the edges for extra texture. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, ensuring every piece gets soaked thoroughly.

• Add Nutty Crunch

Sprinkle chopped pecans across the bread-filled dish. Pop the pan into a preheated oven and bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the pudding sets perfectly.

• Whip Up Creamy Sauce

Combine sugar, butter, and cream in a saucepan. Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it becomes silky smooth. Pull from heat and swirl in whiskey or vanilla for a delightful flavor kick.

• Indulge and Enjoy

Drizzle the warm, luscious sauce over each serving, creating a mouthwatering dessert that’ll make taste buds dance with joy.

Flavor Customizations for Bread Pudding

• Elevate Your Bread Pudding Experience: Delicious Tips and Twists
• Customize Bread Selection: Experiment with different bread types like challah, brioche, or cinnamon raisin for unique flavor profiles and textures. Slightly stale bread works best, absorbing the custard mixture more effectively.
• Boost Flavor Intensity: Add depth by mixing in dried fruits like cranberries, chopped dates, or golden raisins before baking. Sprinkle ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the egg mixture for extra warmth and complexity.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pudding base the night before and refrigerate, allowing bread to soak up custard thoroughly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and enhance flavor development.
• Sauce Swap Excitement: Replace whiskey cream sauce with alternatives like caramel, chocolate ganache, or maple bourbon sauce. Each variation transforms the dessert into a completely new culinary adventure, keeping your taste buds intrigued and delighted.

Bread Pudding Serving Advice

• Elevate with Fresh Berries: Scatter vibrant strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries around the pudding for a burst of color and tangy freshness that complements the rich, creamy dessert.
• Pair with Vanilla Ice Cream: Add a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream beside the warm bread pudding, creating a delightful temperature contrast that melts slowly into the nutty, custardy base.
• Garnish with Mint Leaves: Sprinkle delicate fresh mint leaves on top for a subtle herbal note and elegant presentation that adds a pop of green to the golden-brown dessert.
• Dust with Powdered Sugar: Lightly sift powdered sugar over the bread pudding just before serving, creating a delicate, sweet snowfall effect that enhances the visual appeal and adds a subtle extra sweetness.

Bread Pudding Storage and Leftovers Tips

• Store Fresh and Fabulous: Wrap leftover bread pudding tightly in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, keeping the dessert moist and delicious.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or place the entire dish in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Add a fresh drizzle of whiskey cream sauce to revive the pudding's original glory.
• Freeze for Later: Portion the pudding into individual servings, wrap securely in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a quick and delightful dessert is always within reach.
• Sauce Survival Tip: Store whiskey cream sauce separately in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Gently reheat before serving, stirring to restore its smooth, silky texture.

Heavenly Pioneer Woman Bread Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Comfort meets indulgence in this Pioneer Woman bread pudding, a Southern classic that warms hearts. Rich custard and bread meld together, creating a dessert you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 ½ cups milk
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 stick (½ cup / 113 g) butter
• 2 tbsps melted butter
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup pecans, finely chopped
• ¼ cup Jack Daniel’s whiskey (or non-alcoholic vanilla extract for non-alcoholic version)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°F (163°C) for optimal baking conditions.
2. Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and whole milk in a large mixing bowl until smoothly blended, then gradually incorporate granulated sugar until completely dissolved.
3. Bread Layering: Arrange sourdough bread cubes in a 9-inch square baking dish, strategically positioning crusts to ensure even texture and cooking, then thoroughly saturate the bread with the egg and milk mixture.
4. Nutty Enhancement: Sprinkle finely chopped pecans evenly across the surface of the soaked bread, distributing for consistent flavor and texture.
5. Baking Process: Bake for 55-70 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a slightly wobbly center that indicates perfect doneness.
6. Whiskey Cream Sauce: Simultaneously prepare the sauce by combining sugar, unsalted butter, and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture simmers.
7. Sauce Finishing: Remove sauce from heat and incorporate whiskey (or non-alcoholic alternative), blending flavors thoroughly.
8. Serving Presentation: Allow pudding to rest briefly after baking, then serve warm with a generous drizzle of whiskey cream sauce, creating a luxurious and comforting dessert experience.

Notes

• Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old or slightly stale sourdough bread for better absorption and richer texture, preventing soggy results.
• Even Saturation Technique: Pour egg mixture slowly and gently, ensuring each bread cube gets completely and uniformly coated for consistent flavor and moisture.
• Temperature Precision: Keep oven temperature steady at 325°F and place rack in center to prevent uneven baking or burnt edges.
• Sauce Stirring Strategy: Continuously stir whiskey cream sauce while heating to prevent burning and achieve smooth, silky consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 39 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg