Decadent Cajun Bread Pudding with Whiskey Vanilla Drizzle
This decadent Cajun bread pudding is a delightful twist on a classic comfort food, melding the rich, creamy texture of bread pudding with a mouthwatering whiskey vanilla sauce. Originating as a resourceful way to use up stale bread, this dessert has transformed into a Southern culinary treasure, especially beloved among Cajun and Creole cultures. The subtle warmth of spices and the crunch of toasted pecans elevate this pudding to new heights, making it a perfect ending to any meal. Indulge yourself and your guests with this sweet, aromatic dish that’s sure to leave everyone asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Softened Butter
1 tablespoon (Grease the baking pan)
Chopped Pecans
1.5 cups (Toast in a dry frying pan)
Eggs
3 (Whisk into the mixture)
Sugar
1.25 cups (Whisk into the mixture)
Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon (Whisk into the mixture)
Ground Cinnamon
1.5 teaspoons (Whisk into the mixture)
Ground Nutmeg
0.5 teaspoon (Whisk into the mixture)
Melted and Cooled Butter
1/4 cup (Whisk into the mixture)
Milk
3 cups (Whisk into the mixture)
Sugar
3 cups (For the sauce)
Cream
3 cups (For the sauce)
Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (For the sauce)
Ground Cardamom
1 teaspoon (For the sauce)
Freshly Grated Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (For the sauce)
Additional Butter
2 tablespoons (For the sauce)
Whiskey
1/3 cup (For the sauce)
Cornstarch
1.5 tablespoons (For the sauce)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (For the sauce)
Whipping Cream
1 cup (For garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with the softened butter.
2
In a dry frying pan over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans for 5-10 minutes or until they become fragrant. Be careful not to let them burn. Set aside.
3
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, melted butter, and milk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
4
Layer half of the bread cubes in the greased baking dish, sprinkle the toasted pecans over this layer, and then pour half of the egg and milk mixture over the bread.
5
Add the remaining bread cubes on top and pour the rest of the egg mixture over. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, pressing down to ensure all bread cubes are soaked, and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
6
Remove the plastic wrap and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
7
After baking, uncover the pudding and drizzle 1 cup of the warm Whiskey Vanilla Drizzle evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, uncovered.
8
Allow the bread pudding to set for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with any remaining Whiskey Vanilla Sauce.
9
For the Whiskey Vanilla Sauce: While the pudding bakes, in a small saucepan, combine sugar, cream, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, freshly grated nutmeg, and the additional butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
10
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the whiskey, cornstarch, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually whisk this mixture into the boiling sauce.
11
Simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring often until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
12
For an optional garnish, whip the cream and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this bread pudding recipe?
The recipe is for Decadent Cajun Bread Pudding with Whiskey Vanilla Drizzle.
What is the origin and significance of this dish?
This dessert originated as a resourceful way to use up stale bread and is a beloved Southern culinary treasure among Cajun and Creole cultures.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking pan is required?
A 9 x 13-inch baking pan is required for this recipe.
How should the pecans be prepared?
The chopped pecans should be toasted in a dry frying pan over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until fragrant.
How many eggs are used in the pudding?
The recipe requires 3 eggs.
What spices are included in the pudding mixture?
The pudding mixture includes ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
How much milk is needed for the bread pudding?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of milk.
How long should the bread cubes soak before baking?
The bread cubes should rest and soak at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Should the bread pudding be covered while soaking?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and press down to ensure all bread cubes are soaked.
How long is the initial baking time?
The pudding should be baked for 45 minutes covered with aluminum foil.
When do you apply the Whiskey Vanilla Drizzle?
After the initial 45-minute bake, uncover the pudding and drizzle 1 cup of the warm sauce over the top before returning it to the oven for 5 minutes.
How long should the pudding set before serving?
Allow the bread pudding to set for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
What are the primary ingredients in the Whiskey Vanilla Sauce?
The sauce is made with sugar, cream, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, butter, whiskey, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.
What type of nutmeg is used specifically for the sauce?
The sauce uses freshly grated nutmeg.
How much whiskey is required for the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of whiskey.
How is the Whiskey Vanilla Sauce thickened?
The sauce is thickened by whisking a mixture of whiskey, cornstarch, and vanilla into the boiling cream mixture and simmering for 5 minutes.
Is there a recommended garnish for this dish?
Yes, an optional garnish of whipped cream is suggested.
How much sugar is used in the pudding itself?
The bread pudding mixture contains 1.25 cups of sugar.
How much sugar is used in the sauce?
The sauce requires 3 cups of sugar.
How much cream is needed for the sauce?
The sauce requires 3 cups of cream.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 19 ingredients in total.
How much softened butter is used for greasing the pan?
1 tablespoon of softened butter is used to grease the baking pan.
Is cardamom used in the pudding or the sauce?
Ground cardamom is used specifically in the Whiskey Vanilla Sauce.
What amount of vanilla extract is in the pudding mixture?
The pudding mixture uses 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
What amount of vanilla extract is in the sauce?
The sauce uses 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How much butter is added to the sauce?
2 tablespoons of additional butter are added to the sauce.
Should the pecans be toasted with oil?
No, the pecans should be toasted in a dry frying pan.
What is the consistency of the butter added to the pudding?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of melted and cooled butter for the pudding mixture.
How much cinnamon is used in the sauce?
The sauce uses 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.