This classic holiday dessert is one of our favorites! It uses a simple egg based custard that’s perfect for farm fresh eggs. We’ve included options for gluten and dairy free versions as well as optional additions of raisins or chocolate chips. We’ve also included two versions of whiskey sauce – a quick and easy one and the advanced version that uses an egg for extra richness. It’s so good that you may just stand there and eat it with a spoon. Not that we’ve ever done that. More than once. Really.
Bread Pudding
Ingredients
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups whole milk – or non dairy milk – we love oat creamer in this recipe!
1/4 cup butter, cut in small cubes – or Earth Balance or another non dairy “butter”
2/3 light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-1/2 to 5 cups soft bread cubes (about 9 or 10 slices)
1/2 cup whiskey soaked raisins or chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat oven to 350.
Grease an 11×7″ baking dish.
Place the bread cubes in the baking dish. Drop cubes of butter over top of the bread. If using, sprinkle chocolate chips or raisins over top of butter and bread.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
Very gently pour the custard mixture into the baking dish. Try not to disturb the butter too much. Use a fork or spoon to redistribute butter/raisins/chips as necessary. Give it a nice grating or sprinkle of nutmeg on top of the custard. If your bread is stale or toasted you can put the baking dish in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour to let the custard soak in. Otherwise, place in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick or knife comes out mostly clean.
Easy Whiskey Sauce
Ingredients
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter or Earth Balance or any other non dairy “butter”
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream or thick dairy free creamer like Oat Pods or Silk Whipping Cream Alternative
4 tablespoons of good rye, bourbon, or whiskey of choice
Pinch of salt
In small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the rest of the ingredients. With heat turned down to medium low, stir frequently for 4 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken. Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving or eating with a spoon.
Whiskey Sauce with an Egg
Ingredients
1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter or Earth Balance or any other dairy free “butter”
2tablespoons water
1large egg
1cup sugar
2tablespoons of good rye, bourbon, or whiskey of choice
In a small saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter over low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. In small bowl whisk egg and water together, then add to butter and whisk until combined. Whisk in 1 cup sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar has dissolved and sauce just begins to boil. Remove from heat and stir in whiskey. Allow to cool about 10 minutes before serving or eating right out of the bowl. Enjoy!!