Ingredients
🍞 Bread Pudding:
6 cups day-old brioche or challah bread, cubed
1 cup chopped pecans (toasted)
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
🍯 Salted Caramel Drizzle:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp water
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 tsp sea salt (or more to taste)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Spread cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8–10 minutes to dry slightly.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Add toasted bread cubes and pecans to the custard mixture. Stir to coat completely. Let soak for 15 minutes.
5. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until golden and set in the center.
6. While it bakes, make caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, stir sugar and water until dissolved. Do not stir once boiling—swirl pan gently until mixture turns amber.
7. Remove from heat. Slowly whisk in cream and butter (careful, it will bubble). Add vanilla and salt. Stir until smooth.
8. Let pudding cool slightly. Drizzle with warm salted caramel before serving.
9. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
Use stale bread for best texture—it soaks up the custard without getting mushy.
You can make the caramel sauce in advance and reheat gently before serving.
Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: caramel pecan bread pudding, salted caramel dessert, cozy holiday dessert, easy bread pudding, fall dessert