Cozy Comfort: Pioneer Woman Bread Pudding Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s bread pudding transforms humble ingredients into a decadent southern classic that whispers comfort and nostalgia.

Warm, custardy textures merge with sweet, golden-brown edges in this iconic dessert that feels like a culinary embrace.

Traditional baking methods elevate simple pantry staples into something magical and irresistible.

Rich, indulgent flavors dance between soft bread, creamy custard, and a hint of nutty crunch.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this soul-warming recipe that speaks directly to your hunger for something extraordinary.

Each bite promises a delightful journey through classic southern baking traditions.

Bread Pudding That Feels Like Home

• Craft a Comforting Classic: Dive into a dessert that wraps you in pure homestyle warmth with its rich, custard-soaked bread and nutty crunch. This bread pudding transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious treat that feels like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Customize with Clever Touches: Elevate the traditional recipe by using sourdough bread, which adds a subtle tangy depth, and sprinkling pecans for an unexpected textural contrast. The whiskey cream sauce takes this dessert from ordinary to extraordinary, delivering a sophisticated adult twist.
• Quick and Approachable Baking: Require minimal technical skills while producing restaurant-quality results. With just one hour and fifty minutes of total time, home bakers can easily create a show-stopping dessert that looks and tastes incredibly impressive without complex techniques.
• Versatile Dessert for Any Occasion: Perfect for holiday gatherings, weekend family dinners, or as a decadent weeknight treat. Its universal appeal means everyone from kids to grandparents will appreciate this crowd-pleasing dessert that balances sweet, creamy, and nutty flavors.

Bread Pudding Ingredient Basics

Main Ingredients:

• Sourdough Bread: A sturdy bread that provides perfect texture and absorbs the custard beautifully, best when slightly stale.
• Eggs: Crucial for creating the rich, creamy custard base that binds the pudding together.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth, silky custard mixture with a rich consistency.
• Butter (Melted): Adds richness and helps create a smooth, tender texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the top of the pudding.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.

• Pecans: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the bread pudding, chopped finely for even distribution.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, smooth base for the whiskey cream sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a silky sauce texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens the sauce and helps it thicken.
• Whiskey (or Substitute): Provides a deep, complex flavor to the cream sauce, optional for those who prefer a non-alcoholic version.

Make Bread Pudding with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Delicious Pudding Base

• 4 eggs
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

Stir in sugar until completely dissolved.

Step 2: Layer Bread Perfectly

Cut sourdough bread into 1-inch cubes. Place bread cubes tightly in a 9-inch square baking dish. Arrange crusts facing up around edges and scattered throughout. Pour egg and milk mixture over bread cubes, ensuring even soaking.

Step 3: Sprinkle Nutty Goodness

Evenly distribute finely chopped pecans across the soaked bread. Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 70 minutes until top turns golden brown and pudding sets.

Step 4: Create Dreamy Whiskey Cream Sauce

• Sugar
• Butter
• Heavy cream

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture starts to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in whiskey (or vanilla extract for non-alcoholic version).

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Drizzle warm whiskey cream sauce generously over each serving.

Pudding Tips That Work

• Select Stale Bread Strategically: Grab day-old bread for maximum flavor absorption and perfect pudding texture.
• Modify Whiskey Sauce Masterfully: Customize sauce intensity by adjusting whiskey levels or swapping with vanilla extract for family-friendly versions.
• Control Baking Precision: Monitor pudding closely to achieve golden top and creamy center without drying out the dessert.
• Embrace Resting Period: Allow pudding to settle for 20 minutes after baking, ensuring stable slicing and optimal consistency.
• Ensure Complete Liquid Integration: Submerge bread pieces thoroughly in egg mixture, letting them soak completely before baking to prevent dry spots.

Store Bread Pudding Properly

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect your bread pudding's freshness by vacuum sealing individual portions. Remove excess air completely to prevent freezer burn and maintain original texture. Perfect for meal preppers and those wanting long-term storage.
• Container Layering Method: Stack bread pudding portions between parchment paper in airtight glass containers. This prevents sticking and allows easy separation when you're ready to enjoy. Keeps dessert pristine and prevents flavor mixing with other refrigerated items.
• Portion Wrap Method: Individually wrap each serving tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe zip-lock bag. Label with date and contents for quick identification. Minimizes potential freezer damage and allows convenient single-serving defrosting.

Creative Bread Pudding Flavors

• Chocolate Chunk Delight: Replace pecans with dark chocolate chunks and mix them into the bread mixture before baking. Sprinkle extra chocolate pieces on top for a rich, decadent version of the classic recipe.
• Fruit Fusion Pudding: Fold fresh or dried berries like raspberries, blueberries, or cranberries into the bread cubes before adding the egg mixture. The fruits will create bursts of tangy sweetness throughout the pudding.
• Caramel Pecan Bread Pudding: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the pudding before serving instead of whiskey cream sauce. Top with toasted pecan halves for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Cinnamon Raisin Comfort: Swap sourdough bread with cinnamon raisin bread and add ground cinnamon to the egg mixture. Serve with a vanilla bean custard sauce for a warm, comforting dessert experience.

Bread Pudding Snapshot

Southern comfort meets culinary artistry in Pioneer Woman’s bread pudding, where rustic sourdough transforms into a luxurious dessert.

Pecans scattered across golden-brown layers add delightful crunch and nutty complexity.

Whiskey cream sauce elevates each spoonful with rich, smooth indulgence.

Dessert enthusiasts will savor this nostalgic recipe that connects generations through sweet memories.

Kitchen adventures reveal unexpected magic when simple ingredients merge with expert technique.

Passionate bakers, this masterpiece awaits your personal touch – share your delicious creation, inspire fellow culinary explorers, and spread joy through one remarkable dessert.

Pioneer Woman Bread Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Pioneer Woman Bread Pudding offers a classic Southern comfort dessert with rich vanilla custard and a buttery caramel sauce. Warm spices and custardy bread create a luscious treat that wraps you in nostalgic kitchen memories.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 ½ cups milk
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar

Dairy and Eggs:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 stick (½ cup / 113 grams) butter
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ cup heavy cream

Flavor Enhancers and Extras:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup pecans, finely chopped
• ¼ cup Jack Daniel’s whiskey (or non-alcoholic vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and position the rack in the center, ensuring even heat distribution for optimal baking results.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs, melted butter, pure vanilla extract, and whole milk until the mixture achieves a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
3. Gradually incorporate the granulated sugar into the liquid mixture, stirring continuously until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a silky base for the bread pudding.
4. Select a 9-inch (23-centimeter) square baking dish and carefully layer the sourdough bread cubes, positioning the crusts strategically around the edges and throughout the interior to promote uniform cooking and texture.
5. Gently pour the egg and milk mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring each piece is thoroughly saturated and evenly coated.
6. Delicately sprinkle the finely chopped pecans across the surface of the soaked bread, distributing them uniformly for a consistent nutty flavor and crunch.
7. Transfer the prepared dish to the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 70 minutes, monitoring until the top turns a rich golden brown and the pudding sets with a slight wobble.
8. While the pudding bakes, prepare the whiskey cream sauce by combining sugar, unsalted butter, and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat.
9. Stir the sauce ingredients constantly, allowing the sugar to dissolve completely and the mixture to reach a gentle simmer, then remove from heat.
10. Introduce the whiskey or its non-alcoholic substitute to the sauce, stirring to integrate the flavors seamlessly.
11. Once the bread pudding is done, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to set.
12. Serve individual portions warm, generously drizzling the rich whiskey cream sauce over the top, creating a decadent and comforting dessert experience.

Notes

• Create a cozy texture by using slightly stale bread that absorbs the egg mixture perfectly without falling apart.
• Ensure complete egg mixture coverage by gently pressing bread pieces, allowing them to soak thoroughly for maximum flavor absorption.
• Monitor baking time carefully to achieve a golden-brown top with a soft, custardy center that isn’t dried out or overcooked.
• Allow the pudding to rest and set for about 20 minutes after baking, which helps maintain its structural integrity when serving.
• Customize the whiskey sauce by adjusting alcohol intensity or substituting with vanilla extract to match personal taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 746 kcal
• Sugar: 63 g
• Sodium: 315 mg
• Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 79 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 205 mg