Description
Warming comfort comes from this pioneer woman cinnamon bread pudding, a classic dessert blending rich custard with tender bread cubes. Caramel and cinnamon notes meld perfectly, inviting you to savor each luxurious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz cinnamon challah (or plain challah or brioche), approximately 7 cups
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
- ⅓ cup nut-flavored liqueur (such as Di Saronno or Frangelico)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon (if using plain bread)
- ½ cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tbsp for garnish
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning the rack centrally for uniform heat circulation.
- Custard Creation: Whisk whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, sugar, liqueur, vanilla extract, and salt until silky smooth, ensuring complete ingredient integration.
- Bread Preparation: Distribute bread cubes and walnuts evenly across a 2-quart baking dish, creating a robust base layer for the pudding.
- Custard Infusion: Pour the prepared custard over the bread and nuts, allowing 15-20 minutes of resting time for thorough liquid absorption and flavor melding.
- Water Bath Setup: Prepare hot water and generously sprinkle additional sugar atop the soaked mixture to develop a caramelized exterior.
- Baking Process: Position the baking dish within a larger roasting pan, adding simmering water halfway up the dish’s sides, then transfer to the preheated oven.
- Final Baking: Cook for 50-60 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the custard sets with a gentle tremor when nudged.
- Serving: Rest the pudding for 5-10 minutes, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream for a decadent finish.
Notes
- Soak Strategically: Let bread cubes rest in custard for 15-20 minutes to absorb maximum flavor and achieve perfect texture.
- Master the Water Bath: Use simmering water carefully to create gentle, even heat that prevents custard from cracking or becoming rubbery.
- Check Doneness Carefully: Look for a golden-brown top and a custard that jiggles slightly when gently shaken, indicating perfect baking.
- Serve with Style: Enhance the dessert by pairing with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to elevate the rich, comforting flavors.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg