Maple Walnut Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Comforting bread pudding infused with maple syrup and crunchy walnuts, served warm with a rich bourbon cream sauce. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers cubed day-old brioche bread, 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 450 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 cubed day-old brioche bread
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1 tbsp for garnish powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: Spread 6 cups cubed day-old brioche bread evenly in the baking dish and sprinkle 1 cup chopped walnuts over the top.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 large eggs, 3/4 cup pure maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently to soak; let sit 15 minutes to absorb.
- Step 5: Drizzle 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter over the top.
- Step 6: Bake for 45-50 minutes until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
- Step 7: Meanwhile, make the bourbon sauce by combining 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup bourbon, and 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Step 8: Serve warm bread pudding with bourbon sauce drizzled on top and a sprinkle of 1 tbsp powdered sugar for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple Walnut 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 Maple Walnut 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 Maple Walnut 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 Walnut 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 Walnut 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.
