Decadent Irish Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Drizzle
Indulge in the rich and comforting flavors of our Decadent Irish Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Drizzle. This delightful dessert features a perfectly baked bread pudding made with buttery French baguette, plump raisins, and a creamy mixture infused with Irish whiskey. Topped with a luscious caramel sauce that adds a touch of warmth and depth, this dessert is ideal for gatherings and celebrations. Serve it warm and watch it become the star of your next dinner party, leaving your guests asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
light butter
1/4 cup (melted)
French baguette
10 ounces (cut into 1-inch thick slices)
raisins
1/2 cup (soaked in Irish whiskey)
Irish whiskey
3/4 cup (for soaking raisins and caramel sauce)
1% low-fat milk
1 3/4 cups (for the pudding mixture)
sugar
1 1/2 cups (1 cup for pudding, 1 tablespoon for topping, and for caramel sauce)
vanilla extract
1 tablespoon
evaporated skim milk
1 (12-ounce) can
large eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
cooking spray
(for greasing the baking dish)
cinnamon
1 teaspoon (for topping)
water
2/3 cup (for caramel sauce)
neufchatel cheese
2 ounces (softened for caramel sauce)
Instructions
1
To prepare the Caramel-Whiskey Sauce, combine sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves. Allow the mixture to cook for an additional 15 minutes or until it turns a beautiful golden color (do not stir). Once ready, carefully remove the saucepan from heat and add light butter and neufchatel cheese, whisking continuously until fully incorporated. Let it cool slightly before stirring in the Irish whiskey and evaporated skim milk.
2
For the bread pudding, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush melted butter onto one side of each French bread slice, then place the buttered slices on a baking sheet with the butter side facing up. Bake for 10 minutes or until just lightly toasted. Remove them from the oven and cut the toasted bread into half-inch cubes. Set aside.
3
In a small bowl, combine the raisins and Irish whiskey. Cover and let it sit for 10 minutes, allowing the raisins to absorb the whiskey's flavor (do not drain).
4
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 1% low-fat milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and lightly beaten eggs until well combined. Gently fold in the bread cubes and the whiskey-soaked raisins, pressing down slightly to ensure everything is moistened. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
5
Spoon the bread mixture into a generously greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle it evenly over the top of the pudding.
6
Bake the pudding for 35 minutes or until it is set and the top is golden. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
7
Serve warm, drizzled generously with the Caramel-Whiskey Sauce for an unforgettable finish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Irish Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Drizzle?
It is a rich dessert made with buttery French baguette, raisins, and an Irish whiskey-infused custard, topped with a luscious whiskey caramel sauce.
What kind of bread is used in this recipe?
This recipe calls for 10 ounces of French baguette, cut into 1-inch thick slices and then cubed.
How do you prepare the bread before adding it to the custard?
Brush melted butter onto one side of the slices, toast them for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F, and then cut them into half-inch cubes.
What ingredients are in the Caramel-Whiskey Sauce?
The sauce is made from sugar, water, light butter, neufchatel cheese, Irish whiskey, and evaporated skim milk.
How long do the raisins need to soak?
The raisins should soak in Irish whiskey for 10 minutes to absorb the flavor.
Should I drain the whiskey from the raisins after soaking?
No, do not drain the whiskey; fold the raisins and the liquid directly into the bread mixture.
What is the oven temperature for baking the pudding?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How long should the bread soak in the custard mixture?
Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes before baking to allow the bread to fully soak up the custard.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A generously greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish is required for this recipe.
What is the topping for the bread pudding?
The top is sprinkled with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon before baking.
How long does the pudding take to bake?
Bake the pudding for 35 minutes or until it is set and the top is golden.
How is the caramel sauce started?
Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until dissolved, then cooking for 15 minutes without stirring until golden.
What provides the creamy texture in the caramel sauce?
Light butter and neufchatel cheese are whisked into the caramelized sugar to create a creamy texture.
What type of milk is used in the custard?
The custard uses 1 3/4 cups of 1% low-fat milk.
How many eggs are needed for the pudding?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs, lightly beaten.
Is evaporated milk used in this recipe?
Yes, one 12-ounce can of evaporated skim milk is stirred into the caramel sauce.
Should the pudding be served warm or cold?
It is best served warm, drizzled generously with the Caramel-Whiskey Sauce.
What flavor of extract is added to the custard?
One tablespoon of vanilla extract is added to the milk and egg mixture.
How do I prevent the sugar from burning while making caramel?
Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves, but then do not stir for the remaining 15 minutes while it browns.
What role does the neufchatel cheese play?
The softened neufchatel cheese adds richness and body to the whiskey caramel drizzle.
Can I use regular butter instead of light butter?
While the recipe specifies light butter, regular unsalted butter can typically be used as a substitute.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients used in this bread pudding and sauce recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, it is described as an ideal dessert for gatherings, celebrations, and holiday dinner parties.
What is the texture of the finished bread pudding?
The pudding should be set with a golden, slightly crisp top and a moist, custard-filled interior.
Can I substitute the French baguette?
You can use other crusty breads like brioche or challah, though the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
How do I grease the baking dish?
Use cooking spray to generously coat the 13 x 9-inch baking dish before adding the bread mixture.
How much whiskey is needed in total?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of Irish whiskey divided between soaking the raisins and flavoring the caramel sauce.
Do I need to whisk the caramel sauce ingredients?
Yes, you should whisk continuously when adding the butter and cheese to the hot sugar mixture.
What is the first step in making the pudding?
The first step is actually preparing the Caramel-Whiskey Sauce so it can cool slightly.
How do I know the caramel is ready?
The sugar and water mixture is ready when it turns a beautiful golden color after about 15 minutes of cooking.