Decadent White Chocolate Bourbon Bread Pudding
Indulge in the ultimate comfort dessert with our Decadent White Chocolate Bourbon Bread Pudding. Inspired by the delightful flavors of Don's Seafood in Lafayette, LA, this rich and creamy bread pudding elevates the classic dessert with the luxurious sweetness of white chocolate and a touch of bourbon. Perfectly baked to a golden finish, each bite offers a warm, sumptuous experience that makes any gathering feel special. Serve it warm with the silky bourbon caramel sauce drizzled on top for a truly unforgettable treat.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
whipping cream
3 cups (none)
white chocolate
10 ounces (chopped)
milk
1 cup (none)
sugar
1/2 cup (none)
eggs
2 (beaten)
egg yolks
8 (none)
French bread
1 loaf (cut into 3/4-inch cubes and dried in oven)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
sugar for sauce
2 cups (none)
water for sauce
1/2 cup (none)
heavy cream for sauce
1 cup (none)
Bourbon
1/4 cup (none)
salt
1 pinch (optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2
Generously spray a large casserole dish with non-stick vegetable spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a double boiler, combine the whipping cream and white chocolate. Heat gently, stirring continuously, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.
4
In a separate double boiler, whisk together the milk, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla. Heat gently until just warm, making sure not to cook the eggs.
5
Carefully pour the warm milk mixture into the melted white chocolate mixture, whisking to combine until fully blended.
6
Place the dried French bread cubes evenly in the greased baking dish and pour half of the cream mixture over the bread, ensuring all pieces are moistened. Allow it to soak for about 5-10 minutes.
7
After the bread has absorbed some of the mixture, pour the remaining cream mixture over the top, gently pressing the bread down to ensure it absorbs all the liquid.
8
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
9
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
10
While the pudding is baking, prepare the bourbon caramel sauce. In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of sugar and 1/2 cup water. Heat over medium heat, swirling the pan gently without stirring, about 15 minutes, or until the mixture turns a deep amber color.
11
Remove from heat and slowly whisk in 1 cup of heavy cream, being careful as it may bubble up. Stir in a pinch of salt and the bourbon, then return to low heat for a minute while stirring.
12
Transfer the caramel sauce to a heat-safe container and let it cool. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve, reheating as needed.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent White Chocolate Bourbon Bread Pudding?
It is a rich and creamy comfort dessert inspired by Don's Seafood in Lafayette, LA, featuring white chocolate and a bourbon caramel sauce.
What are the primary ingredients for the pudding?
The main ingredients include whipping cream, white chocolate, milk, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, French bread, and vanilla extract.
How should the French bread be prepared?
The French bread should be cut into 3/4-inch cubes and dried in the oven before being used in the recipe.
What amount of white chocolate is needed?
The recipe requires 10 ounces of chopped white chocolate.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius).
How do I prepare the baking dish?
Generously spray a large casserole dish with non-stick vegetable spray to prevent the bread pudding from sticking.
How do I melt the white chocolate?
In a double boiler, combine the whipping cream and white chocolate, heating gently and stirring continuously until smooth.
How many egg yolks are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 egg yolks in addition to 2 whole beaten eggs.
How is the milk mixture prepared?
Whisk together milk, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla in a separate double boiler until the mixture is just warm.
Why should I be careful when heating the milk mixture?
It is important to heat the mixture gently to ensure you do not accidentally cook the eggs.
How do I combine the chocolate and milk mixtures?
Carefully pour the warm milk mixture into the melted white chocolate mixture and whisk until the two are fully blended.
What is the first step in assembling the pudding?
Place the dried bread cubes in the baking dish and pour half of the cream mixture over them to ensure all pieces are moistened.
How long should the bread soak initially?
The bread should soak for about 5 to 10 minutes before the remaining cream mixture is added.
What should I do after adding the second half of the cream mixture?
Gently press the bread down to ensure it absorbs all the liquid before baking.
How long does the bread pudding bake?
The pudding bakes for a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes: 1 hour covered with foil and 15 minutes uncovered.
Why is the foil removed for the last 15 minutes of baking?
Removing the foil allows the top of the bread pudding to become golden brown and set.
What ingredients are used for the bourbon caramel sauce?
The sauce is made from sugar, water, heavy cream, bourbon, and a pinch of salt.
How do I make the caramel base?
Heat 2 cups of sugar and 1/2 cup water over medium heat for about 15 minutes until it reaches a deep amber color.
Should I stir the sugar while it is caramelizing?
No, you should swirl the pan gently without stirring to prevent crystallization.
How do I safely add cream to the hot caramel?
Remove the pan from the heat and slowly whisk in the heavy cream, being careful as the mixture may bubble up.
When do I add the bourbon to the sauce?
Stir in the bourbon after the heavy cream and salt have been incorporated into the caramel.
How much bourbon is required for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of bourbon.
How should the caramel sauce be stored?
Transfer the sauce to a heat-safe container and store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Can the bourbon caramel sauce be reheated?
Yes, the sauce can be reheated as needed before drizzling it over the warm bread pudding.
Is the salt in the sauce optional?
Yes, a pinch of salt is listed as an optional ingredient to enhance the flavor of the caramel.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 13 total ingredients used across the pudding and the sauce.
What is the best way to serve this dessert?
Serve the bread pudding warm with the silky bourbon caramel sauce drizzled on top for an unforgettable experience.
What culinary style does this recipe represent?
This recipe is a classic example of Southern cuisine, specifically inspired by flavors from Lafayette, Louisiana.
What size should the bread cubes be?
The bread should be cut into approximately 3/4-inch cubes for the best texture.
What makes this bread pudding particularly decadent?
The use of 10 ounces of white chocolate, heavy whipping cream, and 8 egg yolks creates an exceptionally rich and luxurious texture.