Description
Pecan pie bread pudding merges classic Southern dessert traditions into a comforting sweet treat. Rich custard-soaked bread and caramelized pecans create a delightful experience you will savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (330 grams) brown sugar
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 16 oz (454 g) day-old French bread
- 2 ½ cups (590 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) half & half
- 1 cup (chopped) pecans
- ½ cup (113 g) butter (softened)
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Bread Preparation: Cube bread into uniform pieces and distribute evenly in a large mixing bowl.
- Custard Fusion: Whisk eggs, milk, half & half, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract into a silky, homogeneous liquid.
- Bread Soaking: Pour custard over bread cubes, allowing complete liquid absorption for 5-10 minutes, creating a rich, saturated base.
- Pecan Crumble Creation: Blend softened butter, brown sugar, and chopped pecans until achieving a coarse, moist texture.
- Dish Assembly: Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish, then layer half the soaked bread mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Layering and Topping: Scatter half the pecan crumble over the initial bread layer, then add remaining bread mixture, gently pressing to compact.
- Final Pecan Embellishment: Sprinkle remaining pecan crumble across the top, creating a textured, golden-brown surface.
- Baking Preparation: Place baking dish on a rimmed cookie sheet to catch potential overflow.
- Oven Transformation: Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes, monitoring until the center maintains a subtle jiggle.
- Settling and Serving: Allow pudding to rest 20-30 minutes for proper setting, then slice into desired portions and indulge.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption and richer texture; brioche or challah work exceptionally well.
- Custard Soaking Technique: Allow bread cubes to soak for the full 5-10 minutes, ensuring maximum flavor infusion and a perfectly moist consistency.
- Crumble Coverage Strategy: Distribute pecan crumble evenly between layers and on top for a rich, crunchy texture in every single bite.
- Baking Precision Tip: Check doneness at 45 minutes; slight center wobble indicates perfect moisture while preventing over-baking and dryness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg