Eggnog Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich, creamy bread pudding infused with eggnog and topped with a smooth bourbon caramel sauce for a special Christmas morning. This American-inspired Christmas recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, pairs brioche bread, whole milk, eggnog for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 25 min Cook: 50 min Serves 8 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cut 6 slices brioche bread into 1-inch cubes and place in dish.
  2. Step 2: Whisk 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup eggnog, 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg in a large bowl until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour mixture over bread cubes, pressing gently to submerge, and let sit 15 minutes for bread to absorb liquid.
  4. Step 4: Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until center is set and knife inserted comes out clean.
  5. Step 5: While baking, make caramel: combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup bourbon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook without stirring until sugar dissolves and turns amber, about 5 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Carefully whisk in 2 tablespoons heavy cream and cook 1 minute until smooth, then cool 10 minutes.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle caramel over baked bread pudding before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Eggnog Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (25 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Eggnog Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep brioche bread from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Eggnog Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel?

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 Eggnog Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel 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 Eggnog Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel?

American christmas 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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