Creamy Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Sauce
A comforting dessert featuring dense Irish soda bread soaked in a vanilla custard, topped with a warm whiskey-spiked caramel sauce. This irish-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers Irish soda bread, cut into 1-inch cubes, whole milk, heavy cream 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.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Irish soda bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Irish whiskey
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and add 6 cups cubed Irish soda bread evenly.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 3: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the soda bread cubes, pressing down gently to soak. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb.
- Step 4: Bake the pudding for 45-50 minutes until the custard is set and the top is lightly golden.
- Step 5: While pudding bakes, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 tsp salt, cooking for 3-4 minutes until bubbly.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and carefully stir in 1/4 cup Irish whiskey. Return to low heat and simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 7: Serve warm pudding drizzled generously with the whiskey caramel sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 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 Creamy Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel 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 Creamy Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel 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 Creamy Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel 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 Creamy Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Sauce?
Irish 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.
