Dreamy Barefoot Contessa’s French Toast Bread Pudding Recipe

Weekends call for something special, and this French toast bread pudding recipe delivers pure morning magic.

Indulgent comfort seeps through every delectable layer of this classic Barefoot Contessa dish.

Soft bread soaks up a rich custard that promises to melt in your mouth with each decadent bite.

Warm spices dance alongside creamy textures, creating a breakfast experience that feels like a luxurious embrace.

Weekend mornings deserve something extraordinary, and this recipe turns simple ingredients into a stunning centerpiece.

Breakfast lovers will swoon over the golden, crispy edges and luxurious center that make this dish irresistible.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress everyone at the breakfast table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

French Toast Bread Pudding Ingredients

• Brioche Bread: Luxuriously rich and buttery bread that creates a decadent, pillowy texture and absorbs custard beautifully. Choose day-old bread for best absorption and deeper flavor complexity.
• Challah Bread: Soft, eggy bread that offers a golden, tender base with delightful richness. Select slightly stale bread to prevent mushy consistency.

• Eggs: Provide structure and creamy binding for the entire dish. Select fresh, room-temperature eggs for smoother blending.
• Half-and-Half: Creates luscious, silky custard with balanced richness. Opt for high-quality dairy for superior taste.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and depth with subtle floral undertones. Choose local, raw honey for more complex flavor profile.
• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes that elevate the entire dessert. Use fresh oranges and grate carefully to avoid bitter white pith.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers warm, aromatic essence that complements sweet ingredients. Select pure vanilla for authentic flavor.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall sweetness, creating harmonious taste experience. Use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Icing Sugar: Creates elegant, snowy dusting that adds visual appeal and light sweetness. Sift carefully for even coverage.
• Maple Syrup: Provides rich, caramel-like drizzle that intensifies dessert's indulgence. Choose pure, Grade A maple syrup for authentic flavor.

Tools for French Toast Bread Pudding

• Large bowl: Essential for whisking custard ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending eggs, half-and-half, and other custard components.
• 23 × 33 × 5cm baking dish: Key for layering bread and holding the pudding.
• Roasting tin: Larger than the baking dish, used for creating a water bath.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for measuring ingredients accurately.
• Vegetable peeler or grater: Needed to zest the orange.
• Aluminum foil: Used to cover the roasting tin during initial baking.
• Knife: Helpful for trimming bread to fit the baking dish.
• Sifter or small strainer: Used for dusting icing sugar on top.

How to Prepare French Toast Bread Pudding

• Bread Arrangement

Layer bread slices neatly in a baking dish, cutting pieces to fit perfectly and create two delicious layers of comfort.

• Heavenly Custard Blend

Whisk together eggs, creamy half-and-half, golden honey, bright orange zest, fragrant vanilla, and a pinch of salt until silky smooth.

• Liquid Magic

Gently pour custard over bread, softly pressing down to help bread absorb all the delicious flavors. Allow mixture to rest and transform.

• Water Bath Technique

Nestle baking dish inside a larger roasting pan. Fill surrounding space with steaming hot water, creating a gentle cooking environment.

• Initial Baking

Cover roasting pan with foil, creating two small steam vents. Bake until pudding begins to set and transform into a custardy dream.

• Final Golden Touch

Remove foil covering, allowing pudding to develop a beautiful golden surface. Bake until puffy and perfectly set.

• Serving Elegance

Let pudding cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with pure maple syrup for a decadent breakfast experience.

Tips to Improve French Toast Bread Pudding

• Switch bread types like challah, brioche, or day-old croissants for different textures and richness.
• Prepare the entire dish the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake directly from the cold state, adding 10-15 minutes to baking time.
• Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the custard for extra warmth. Add dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped nuts between bread layers for delightful surprises.
• Top with fresh berries, whipped cream, or caramelized banana slices. Drizzle with chocolate sauce or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for decadent indulgence.
• Replace half-and-half with almond milk for lighter version. Use gluten-free bread for celiac-friendly adaptation. Swap honey with maple syrup for different sweetness profile.

How to Serve French Toast Bread Pudding

• Breakfast Bliss: Serve this heavenly bread pudding as a decadent weekend breakfast centerpiece that will make everyone leap out of bed.
• Brunch Showstopper: Pair with crispy bacon, fresh berries, and a dollop of whipped cream for an impressive brunch spread that will wow your guests.
• Sweet Dessert Transformation: Drizzle extra maple syrup and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn this dish into an indulgent after-dinner treat that satisfies any sweet tooth.
• Elegant Entertaining Option: Prepare ahead of time and warm just before serving, making it perfect for morning gatherings or elegant brunches with friends and family.

Store and Reheat Tips for French Toast Bread Pudding

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining the pudding's delightful texture and flavor.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 160°C for 10-15 minutes until heated through and slightly crispy on top.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled bread pudding tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Portion and Prep: Cut the pudding into individual servings before storing to make reheating and enjoying quick and convenient for busy mornings or unexpected dessert cravings.

Heavenly French Toast Bread Pudding Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s french toast bread pudding melds classic breakfast comfort with elegant dessert simplicity. Rich custard-soaked bread bakes into a creamy, golden casserole that invites leisurely weekend mornings with delightful indulgence.

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Ingredients

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• 1 challah loaf (sliced 2 cm/0.8 inch thick)
• 8 large eggs
• 1.2 liters (5 cups / 40 fl oz) half-and-half (or whole milk)
• 3 tbsps honey
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• icing sugar (for dusting)
• pure maple syrup (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center of the oven.
2. Bread Arrangement: Layer bread slices in two overlapping tiers within a 9 × 13 inch baking dish, trimming edges to create a precise fit.
3. Custard Fusion: Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, honey, orange zest, vanilla extract, and sea salt until the mixture transforms into a silky, harmonious blend.
4. Liquid Infusion: Cascade the fragrant custard over the bread layers, gently pressing to ensure complete absorption. Let the bread luxuriate in the liquid for 10 minutes, allowing flavor penetration.
5. Baking Technique: Nestle the baking dish inside a larger roasting pan. Pour scalding hot water around the dish, creating a 1-inch water bath. Tent loosely with aluminum foil, puncturing two small steam vents.
6. Baking Process: Cook the covered pudding for 45 minutes, then unveil by removing the foil. Continue baking for an additional 40-45 minutes until the surface becomes golden and the custard sets with a gentle tremor.
7. Serving Finale: Allow the pudding to rest briefly. Dust with a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar and serve warm, accompanied by a cascade of maple syrup for a decadent presentation.

Notes

• Optimize Bread Selection: Choose day-old, slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for superior texture and better custard absorption.
• Master Custard Consistency: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to prevent egg lumps and ensure a silky, smooth base that guarantees even flavor distribution.
• Perfect Water Bath Technique: Use scalding hot water and carefully transfer the pan to prevent splashing, which helps create a gentle, even cooking environment and prevents custard from cracking.
• Resting is Crucial: Allow the pudding to cool for 10-15 minutes after baking, enabling the custard to set completely and enhancing the overall texture and flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg