Decadent Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Golden Brown Sugar Sauce

Discover ultimate comfort with this sensational Pumpkin Bread Pudding, lavishly coated in a delectable Brown Sugar Sauce. This recipe isn’t just a dessert; it’s a culinary experience elevated to pure bliss, especially when a hint of whiskey is added to its sweet, warm embrace.

Are you a devoted fan of pumpkin-infused delights? Then you simply must try these Pumpkin Spice S’mores Bars for another incredible seasonal treat!

Contents

Embracing Autumn’s Lasting Charm with Pumpkin Bread Pudding

While the holiday season often brings thoughts of peppermint and gingerbread, let’s not forget that fall, with its cozy warmth and rich flavors, still graces us. It’s easy to get swept away by early winter preparations, especially when some parts of the country are already seeing significant snowfall. For instance, my dad recently texted me a photo of his front yard in Wyoming, blanketed in a foot of snow – a stark contrast to the surprisingly mild 70-degree day we experienced here in the Midwest. Even with a sick little one keeping me indoors, my thoughts remained firmly rooted in comforting, seasonal baking.

Just last night, I ran a poll on my Facebook page, asking you, my wonderful readers, what recipe you’d love to see next on the blog. To my delightful surprise, this Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Sauce won by an overwhelming landslide! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it. I had my money on the Pecan Pie Slab Bars, but my husband wisely pointed out that perhaps the “slab bars” moniker wasn’t universally understood. Maybe if I had simply called them “Giant Pecan Pie,” the outcome might have been different! Either way, your collective taste is impeccable, as both desserts are undeniably delicious.

Speaking of “slab,” if you’re curious about what I mean by a dessert or dish served in a large, thin pan, you’re in for a treat! The “slab” style is perfect for feeding a crowd, offering a generous, easy-to-serve format. I previously shared a fantastic recipe for Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Slab Pizza – a truly bomb recipe that transforms leftovers into an exciting new meal. But today, our focus is on something sweet and utterly decadent.

The Secret Ingredient: A Touch of Indulgence

What you might not have known, but perhaps had a delightful hunch about, is that this Pumpkin Bread Pudding contains a touch of spirited indulgence. Yes, there’s booze in it! And here’s another secret: I actually whipped up this incredible dessert back in September. The moment I tasted it, I was transported to pure culinary heaven. Its warmth, infused with vibrant pumpkin spices, and the rich, complex whiskey brown sugar sauce created an experience unlike any other. However, with a beach vacation just a week away, I knew I couldn’t keep that entire pan of blissful bread pudding to myself. So, in a moment of self-preservation (and generosity!), I immediately sent the pan off to my husband’s workplace. No “bread pudding thighs” for this trip!

Let me tell you, this might just be the absolute best bread pudding I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. The harmonious blend of warm, inviting pumpkin spices creates a cozy foundation, while the whiskey brown sugar sauce elevates every bite to an extraordinary level. Imagine that richness, topped with a dollop of freshly homemade whipped cream – it’s a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly unparalleled. Each spoonful delivers a comforting embrace, making it the quintessential autumn dessert.

Versatility on Your Table: From Holiday Feasts to Weekend Brunches

In fact, I believe this Pumpkin Bread Pudding deserves a prominent spot on your Thanksgiving dessert table. Its comforting flavors and elegant presentation make it a perfect finale to any holiday feast. But why stop there? This delightful dish is also entirely acceptable, and even encouraged, for breakfast! Who’s to say a little whiskey-infused warmth isn’t the perfect way to start a crisp autumn morning? While you could certainly serve this bread pudding without the luscious brown sugar sauce, I wholeheartedly recommend including it. The sauce truly completes the experience. And, of course, if you prefer to keep it family-friendly, feel free to omit the bourbon from the sauce – it will still be heavenly, I promise.

This was my very first attempt at making bread pudding, and I can confidently say it won’t be my last. For so long, I had this preconceived notion of bread pudding being merely a “mush” – after all, it’s essentially bread soaked in a rich mixture of cream and eggs. But this experience completely transformed my perspective. What I discovered was the most incredibly moist, flavorful, and perfectly textured “egg-soaked bread” I’ve ever encountered. It breaks all the stereotypes and sets a new standard for what bread pudding can be.

The original inspiration for this recipe came from Better Homes and Gardens, but I couldn’t resist putting my own spin on it. That’s truly the beauty of cooking and baking – the freedom to experiment and adapt. It’s what I love most about being in the kitchen. I encourage you to embrace that same spirit of culinary adventure! Don’t be afraid to tweak recipes to suit your taste, swap ingredients, or add your unique touch. You never know what incredible creation you might conjure up. In this particular case, my adaptations led to this keeper of a Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Sauce, and I’m so excited to share it with you.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Sauce

Prep 25 mins

Cook 25 mins

Total 50 mins

Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 8 servings

Warm and toasty, this Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Sauce is pure bliss and then taken to another level with sweet brown sugar {whiskey} sauce

Ingredients

6 cups 1-inch cubes Brioche bread (I used Specially Selected Chocolate Chip Brioche)*
2 cups crumbled (I used 1 package Nonni’s Salted Caramel Biscotti)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup Pumpkin spice coffee creamer
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
Brown Sugar Sauce
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup pumpkin spice coffee creamer
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 cup bourbon
*If you can’t find brioche, you could use challah or french bread.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
Place brioche and biscotti into prepared dish.
In a large bowl or the stand mixer, combine sugar and eggs and beat until fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
To bowl, add milk, pumpkin, coffee cream, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Beat until combined.
Pour mixture over brioche and biscotti, in prepared dish, and allow bread to absorb liquid for at least 10 minutes. Dot the top of the bread with 1/4 cup butter.
Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until set and the edges are slightly browned.

Brown Sugar Sauce

While the bread pudding is baking, make the Brown sugar sauce.
In a medium pot, over medium high heat, melt 1/2 cup butter.
Add brown sugar and pumpkin spice creamer and whisk until sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat and add vanilla and bourbon, if desired.
Serve warm sauce over with Pumpkin Bread Pudding.
You could also serve the brown sugar sauce over ice cream or pie.

Notes

Adapted from Pumpkin-Biscotti Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce

Courses Pudding

Cuisine Dessert

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 8 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 683
% Daily Value
Total Fat 35 g		54%
	Saturated Fat 19 g	95%
Cholesterol 180 mg		60%
Sodium 1682 mg		70%
Total Carbohydrates 78 g		26%
	Dietary Fiber 2 g	8%
	Sugars 51 g
Protein 10 g		20%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Irresistible Brown Sugar Sauce: Customize to Your Liking

Can you envision that luscious pool of rich brown sugar sauce nestled right in the center of the warm bread pudding? It’s absolutely divine. While I often refer to it as “whiskey brown sugar sauce,” I purposefully avoid making that its official name because it is equally heavenly without the addition of spirits. You can absolutely leave out the booze, and the sauce will still deliver that incredible depth of flavor and caramel-like sweetness that complements the pumpkin bread pudding so perfectly.

And remember, just as I did, feel free to make this recipe truly your own. Don’t be constrained by the exact ingredients. For instance, if brioche bread isn’t readily available, a good quality challah or even a sturdy French bread makes an excellent substitute, offering a slightly different but equally delicious texture. Get creative with your flavor choices too! Instead of pumpkin spice coffee creamer, perhaps try a vanilla or caramel creamer for a different twist. I can already imagine how amazing a peppermint or gingerbread version of this bread pudding would be once the colder depths of winter truly set in. Who knows, I think I might have just stumbled upon my next bread pudding recipe idea!