Warm Ginger Molasses Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
A cozy bread pudding infused with spicy ginger and molasses, topped with a rich bourbon caramel sauce that lingers on the palate. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes pairs cubed day-old brioche bread, whole milk, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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, cubed day-old brioche bread
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup dark molasses
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9x13-inch baking dish with 2 tbsp unsalted butter.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 large eggs, 1/3 cup dark molasses, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Step 3: Add 6 cups cubed day-old brioche bread to the custard mixture and gently fold to coat all pieces. Let sit for 15 minutes to allow bread to soak.
- Step 4: Transfer the soaked bread mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Step 5: Bake for 45-50 minutes until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
- Step 6: While baking, prepare bourbon sauce by combining 1/4 cup bourbon and 1/2 cup light brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Step 7: Serve warm bread pudding with bourbon sauce drizzled on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Warm Ginger Molasses 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 Warm Ginger Molasses 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 cubed day-old brioche bread from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Warm Ginger Molasses 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 Warm Ginger Molasses 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 Warm Ginger Molasses 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.
