Instant Pot Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 01/7/22
Instant Pot bread pudding with sauce.
Diana Rattray
Prep: 13 mins
Cook: 52 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
728 Calories
32g Fat
102g Carbs
11g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 728
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 41%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 210mg 70%
Sodium 480mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 102g 37%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 73g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 135mg 10%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 275mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This classic bread pudding is rich and silky-smooth, flavored with just the right amount of vanilla and spice. A silky Kentucky bourbon or whiskey sauce provides the wow factor, or replace the alcohol with apple juice. Not only is this bread pudding fast and easy; it's an impressive and comforting dessert. It's also an excellent option if there's no room in the oven.

Because of their buttery flavor and soft texture, brioche bread or challah are excellent choices for bread pudding, but any good-quality bread will work just fine.

Feel free to omit the pecans if you aren't a fan, or replace them with extra raisins or another kind of chopped nut.

Ingredients

For the Bread Pudding:

  • 12 ounces bread, cubed, about 8 to 10 cups

  • 1/2 cup raisins

  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

  • 2 cups half-and-half

  • 2/3 cup sugar

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1 dash salt

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Sauce:

  • 2/3 cup sugar

  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter

  • 1/3 cup heavy cream

  • 2 tablespoons bourbon, whiskey, or apple juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Instant Pot bread pudding.
    Diana Rattray

  2. If the bread is fresh and somewhat moist, spread the cubes out on a large rimmed baking sheet. Put the pan in a preheated 325 F oven and lightly toast for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until dry. If your bread is already quite dry or stale, you may skip this step.

  3. Generously butter a 7 x 3-inch round baking pan or soufflé dish (2-quart). If you plan to remove the pudding from the pan for an attractive presentation, cut out a round of parchment paper and place it in the bottom of the greased baking pan. Grease the paper or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

  4. Transfer the bread cubes to a large bowl; add the raisins and pecans, and toss to combine. Set aside.

    Toss the bread cubes, raisins, and nuts.
    Diana Rattray

  5. In a medium bowl, combine the half-and-half, 2/3 cup of sugar, the eggs and egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the melted butter and whisk until well blended.

    Combine the eggs, milk, and spices in a bowl.
    Diana Rattray

  6. Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes and stir gently until the bread cubes are well-coated. Spoon the bread mixture into the prepared baking pan.

    Instant Pot bread pudding in the pan.
    Diana Rattray

  7. Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into a 6-quart Instant Pot.

  8. Butter a 10- or 12-inch sheet of foil. Cover the pan of bread pudding tightly with the foil (buttered side-down). Place the pan in a baking sling or on the steaming rack. Carefully lower the pan and sling or rack into the pot.

    Lower the bread pudding into the Instant Pot.
    Diana Rattray

  9. Lock the lid in place and ensure the steam vent is in the sealing position. Choose the manual setting (or pressure cook button), high pressure, and set the time for 42 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 12 minutes.

  10. Carefully release the remaining pressure and remove the lid. Remove the bread pudding to a rack. Let the pudding stand for about 5 minutes. Remove the foil.

    Instant Pot bread pudding cooked.
    Diana Rattray

  11. Set the bread pudding aside to cool slightly while you prepare the sauce.

Prepare the Bourbon Sauce

  1. Melt the 6 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 2/3 cup of granulated sugar, the heavy cream, and the bourbon (or juice). Bring the mixture to a boil; reduce the heat to low, and simmer uncovered for about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla into the sauce and set it aside to cool slightly. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.

    Bread pudding bourbon sauce.
    Diana Rattray

  2. If desired, when the bread pudding is cool enough to handle, run a knife around the side of the pan and carefully remove it to a serving plate. Alternatively, spoon the warm pudding into bowls.

    Bread pudding from the Instant Pot with a pitcher of bourbon sauce.
    Diana Rattray

  3. Pour the warm sauce into a small pitcher or cup and serve it with the bread pudding.

    Instant Pot bread pudding in a bowl.  Diana Rattray

  4. Enjoy your bread pudding.