Maple Pecan Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
A warm bread pudding enriched with toasted pecans and sweet maple syrup, served with a luscious bourbon caramel sauce. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes pairs day-old brioche bread, cubed, large eggs, whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 6 cups day-old brioche bread, cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread 6 cups cubed day-old brioche evenly in the dish.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon until smooth.
- Step 3: Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently to soak. Stir in 1 cup chopped toasted pecans.
- Step 4: Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to absorb the custard.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden and the custard is set.
- Step 6: While baking, prepare the bourbon sauce by melting 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Step 7: Stir in 1/2 cup dark brown sugar and cook until melted and bubbling, about 3 minutes.
- Step 8: Remove from heat and carefully whisk in 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey until smooth.
- Step 9: Serve warm bread pudding drizzled with the bourbon sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple Pecan Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 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 Maple Pecan Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce?
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 day-old brioche bread, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple Pecan 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 Maple Pecan 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 Maple Pecan Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce?
American 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.
