Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
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)
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 3: Pour the pumpkin custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently to soak. Let stand for 15 minutes to absorb.
- Step 4: Bake uncovered for 50-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 7: Serve warm bread pudding topped with generous drizzle of bourbon sauce for a cozy holiday dessert.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 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 Pumpkin Spice 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 pumpkin puree from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pumpkin Spice 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 Pumpkin Spice 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 Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce?
American holiday 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The bourbon sauce was the perfect complement to the pumpkin spice. Made this for my holiday gathering and it was a hit!
- ★★★★★
This is the best pumpkin bread pudding I've ever had. The bourbon sauce made it special for the holidays.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely delicious. The texture was perfect and the spices were just right. A new holiday tradition!
