Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

A warm and comforting pumpkin bread pudding infused with autumn spices, served with a rich bourbon caramel sauce. This American-inspired holiday recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, pairs pumpkin puree, whole milk, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Ingredients

• 6 cups day-old French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (for sauce)
• 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (for sauce)

Baking dishes worth owning for casseroles like this → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Spread 6 cups day-old French bread cubes evenly in the dish.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup pumpkin puree, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth.
3. Step 3: Pour the pumpkin custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently to soak. Let stand for 15 minutes to absorb.
4. Step 4: Bake uncovered for 50-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare bourbon sauce by melting 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar and cook for 2 minutes until bubbly.
6. Step 6: Carefully add 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey and 1/2 cup heavy cream, whisking constantly. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
7. Step 7: Serve warm bread pudding topped with generous drizzle of bourbon sauce for a cozy holiday dessert.