Description
Creamy lemon bread pudding celebrates Southern dessert traditions with tangy citrus notes. Rich custard and zesty lemon create a delightful finale you’ll savor after any hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf challah bread
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 ml) half-and-half
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsps (30 g) softened butter
- 2 medium lemons (¼ cup/60 ml juice and 2 tbsps zest)
- 1 cup (240 ml) very cold heavy cream
- 2 tbsps sugar
- 2 tbsps bourbon
Instructions
- Bread Preparation: Cube challah loaf into 1-inch pieces and let air-dry on a baking sheet for a minimum of 1 hour, creating a texture ideal for custard absorption.
- Dish Setup: Thoroughly butter a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking during the baking process.
- Custard Mixing: Whisk half-and-half and eggs in a large bowl, blending lemon zest, juice, and sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and fully incorporated.
- Assembly: Arrange dried bread cubes in the buttered dish, then gently pour the custard mixture over the bread. Softly press cubes with a fork to ensure complete saturation.
- Baking Process: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and bake for 50-55 minutes, achieving a golden-brown surface with a firm, set center.
- Resting and Cream Preparation: After removing from oven, let pudding rest for 15 minutes. Simultaneously, whip heavy cream, sugar, and bourbon using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Serving: Plate the warm bread pudding and top with a generous dollop of bourbon-infused whipped cream, creating a decadent dessert that harmonizes rich, tangy, and creamy flavors.
Notes
- Bread Preparation Tip: Allow challah cubes to dry completely for optimal custard absorption, ensuring a luxurious texture and preventing soggy results.
- Butter Coating Technique: Generously grease the baking dish to guarantee effortless serving and prevent stubborn sticking.
- Custard Mixing Precision: Whisk ingredients thoroughly, incorporating lemon zest and juice gradually to develop a smooth, well-integrated flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestion: Rest the bread pudding briefly after baking to stabilize the custard and enhance overall texture, creating a perfectly set dessert.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 180mg