Name: Bourbon Apple Pecan Bread Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: 1 20 ounce challah loaf, cubed; 2 cups milk; 2 cups heavy cream ((or 4 cups half & half)); 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 3/4 cup butter; 1 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed); 1/2 cup white sugar; 4 large eggs (beaten lightly); 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 4 tbsps bourbon; 1 large apple (chopped, (I use a sweet but firm apple)); 3/4 cup chopped pecans (divided); 2 tbsp turbinado sugar; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 cup butter (melted); 2 tbsp bourbon; 1/2 cup heavy cream

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Bourbon Apple Pecan Bread Pudding is a decadent dessert made with butter, cream, brown sugar, apples, pecans, challah bread, cinnamon, and bourbon. They all add up to a most delicious sweet treat! And I haven't even gotten to the sauce! Keep reading you won't be sorry!

A pot of this bourbon apple pecan bread pudding recipe with a slice missing

*This post is sponsored in conjunction with AppleWeek . I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Fall baking is one of my favorite times of the year! Isn't it a season all to itself?? Well, if not I am declaring it one!

So you have to realize how giddy I became when this Swiss Diamond Cast Iron was laid on my doorstep! If you have been following along you know how much I love to cook in cast iron. And this, my friends, is one gorgeous pan. The quality is amazing and have you gotten a look at this brilliant blue color??

I just could not wait to debut my new pan for Apple Week! I knew just the thing to christen this bad boy! Bourbon Apple Pecan Bread Pudding!

Easy Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding is really a very classic dish. Cubed bread and a custard (Eggs and Milk/Cream) are the base of this dessert. You can change the flavors by incorporating spices, nuts, fruits, and in this case a little bourbon.

I cannot express how easy bread pudding really is to make. It does take a few simple steps to bring it together, but it really isn't rocket science, like you may think! So, do not let this dish intimidate you! If I can make so can you!

And let me say you will be so glad you did!

How to make Bourbon Apple Pecan Bread Pudding

It really is best to start by getting organized. Gather your ingredients, so you will have everything right at your fingertips for each step.

the ingredients for this bourbon apple pecan bread pudding recipe in an arrangement of bowls on a wooden cutting board

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then start creating your base. Mix the milk, cream, and vanilla in a large bowl. Then cube up your bread and let it soak in the mixture and come to room temperature,

A bowl of torn day-old white bread cubes for this bourbon apple pecan bread pudding recipe

Second head over to the stove and place your Cast Iron Skillet over medium-high heat. Get that butter melted. Whisk in your brown and white sugar until well combined. Remove it from the heat and let it cool off for a minute or two.

Whisking together the butter and sugars for this bourbon apple pecan bread pudding recipe

Third At this point, I like to temper the eggs with a little bit of the butter mixture. That just means pour a little of the warmer butter mixture into the eggs and whisk before you add them back into the pan of sugar and butter mixture.

Slowly whisk in those (room temperature) eggs and then 4 tablespoons of the bourbon. Followed by the apples, cinnamon, and ½ cup of pecans.

The bourbon pecan apple mixture in a cast iron skillet for this bourbon apple pecan bread pudding recipe

At this point, the kitchen is smelling heavenly! But it only gets better! Pour in the bread mixture into the skillet and stir it all together until well combined.

Now sprinkle on the rest of the pecans and the turbinado sugar! This just gives the top some extra crunch!

A close up of the wet ingredients for this bourbon apple pecan bread pudding recipe before it is cooked

It is ready for the oven. Cover with a lid (or foil) and bake for 55 minutes. Then remove the lid or foil and bake for about 15 more minutes, until it is golden brown and a wooden pick comes out clean when placed in the center.

While it is finishing off those last 15 minutes, it's time to make the SAUCE!

A close up of this bourbon apple pecan bread pudding recipe after it is browned and cooked through

BREAD PUDDING SAUCE

Bread pudding is known for being served with a sauce! Many are made with a rum sauce, but in this case, we are using Bourbon! It gives it such a smooth flavor and pairs so well with the apples and pecans.

The sauce is made with powdered sugar, melted butter, and bourbon. Mixed until smooth (I use a whisk or fork). Add in the cream and mix again until smooth! SIMPLE RIGHT? But it is DIVINE!

If you are opposed to the bourbon, you can omit it and add in water or milk to get the desired thickness.

Pour the sauce over the Apple Pecan Bread Pudding. I usually only pour about half and reserve the rest to drizzle over individual servings. But you can pour it all on as well!

A close up of this bourbon apple pecan bread pudding recipe after it has cooked topped with the glaze

SERVING BOURBON BREAD PUDDING

Bread pudding can be served warm or at room temperature. However, I think it is best served warm! There is just something about a warm bite with that sauce! YUM!

Store leftovers in the refrigerator covered for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. You may want to slice it into individual servings and freeze them. Then thaw and enjoy!