Alabama-Style Pecan Praline Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A decadent bread pudding studded with toasted pecans and swirls of brown sugar, topped with a warm bourbon caramel sauce inspired by Alabama’s rich dessert traditions. This southern-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers day-old French bread, cubed, toasted pecans, chopped, whole milk into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 8 Southern cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread 6 cups cubed day-old French bread evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup chopped toasted pecans over bread.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 large eggs, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter until combined.
  3. Step 3: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and pecans, pressing down slightly to soak. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb.
  4. Step 4: Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden and custard is set.
  5. Step 5: While pudding bakes, make bourbon sauce by combining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup, and 1/4 cup bourbon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Serve warm bread pudding drizzled with bourbon sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Alabama-Style Pecan Praline Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Alabama-Style Pecan Praline Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Alabama-Style Pecan Praline Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Alabama-Style Pecan Praline Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Alabama-Style Pecan Praline Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce?

Southern desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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