Description
A warm and indulgent bread pudding made with challah bread soaked in a creamy custard, topped with a brown sugar pecan crumble, and finished with a homemade caramel drizzle. Perfect for holidays, brunch, or cozy family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (5–6 cups)
- 5 large eggs
- 3 cups Caramel Macchiato coffee creamer (or any flavored creamer)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (for caramel sauce)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for caramel sauce)
- 2 tablespoons milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 3-quart baking dish.
- Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and let dry 30 minutes, or toast in oven 5–10 minutes.
- Whisk eggs, creamer, and cinnamon in a large bowl until smooth. Add bread cubes, stir gently, and let soak 10–15 minutes.
- Pour mixture into prepared dish and spread evenly.
- In another bowl, mix brown sugar, pecans, flour, and melted butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over bread pudding.
- Cover with foil and bake 55–60 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10–15 minutes more until golden and set.
- Meanwhile, make caramel sauce: in a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened (3–5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Cool pudding for 10 minutes. Drizzle with warm caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
- Use stale or lightly toasted bread to avoid sogginess.
- Can be prepared a day ahead and baked when ready to serve.
- Substitute brioche, French bread, or Italian loaf for challah.
- Omit nuts or replace with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Store-bought caramel sauce can be used in place of homemade.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
