Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, we can’t stop thinking about what dessert we’re going to serve with our corned beef and cabbage. This traditional Irish Bread Pudding soaked in a rich whiskey caramel sauce is sweet, gooey, and so comforting– the perfect ending to a day filled with celebration.

Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Irish Bread Pudding

This traditional Irish bread pudding recipe is much easier to make than it seems. And the rich whiskey caramel sauce is what really sets this dessert apart. It’s the best St. Patrick’s Day dessert!

  • Bread: French bread is a great option for bread pudding because it has a tough and chewy texture that holds up well when soaked in the egg mixture. Brioche, challah, or another sturdy loaf also works well.
  • Eggs: Eggs create the thick custardy texture of the bread pudding mixture.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar adds the right amount of sweetness.
  • Milk + Cream: Heavy cream and evaporated milk add richness to the custard, and regular milk helps thin the sauce.
  • Whiskey Caramel Sauce: This indulgent sauce is made from whiskey, milk, sugar, water, butter, and cream cheese.
  • Raisins: Raisins add a nice texture and sweetness to the dessert.
  • Cinnamon: This adds the perfect level of warmth.

Variations on Irish Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

We love this delicious bread pudding with traditional raisins, but it’s also delicious with golden raisins, dried cranberries, or even dried apricots. If you’re not a fan, try using chocolate chips instead. The flavor is different but still delicious!

Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

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How to Store and Reheat

Let the Irish bread pudding cool to room temperature before storing, but be sure to move it to the fridge within 2 hours of baking. Wrap the casserole dish or ramekins tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the extra whiskey caramel sauce separately.

For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F until fully warmed through. You can reheat the sauce on the stove.

How to Freeze

Freeze bread pudding in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. We don’t recommend freezing the whiskey sauce.

Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

Serving Suggestions

This Irish bread pudding is honestly the best way to cap off a St. Patrick’s Day feast. Make our favorite crockpot corned beef and cabbage and colcannon for dinner, and cap off the night with some homemade Irish cream or green mint vanilla milk. Delish!

Notes from the Test Kitchen

Stale or day-old bread works best, so this recipe is a great way to use up leftover bread. If your bread is too fresh, just let it sit out overnight before making this delicious dessert.

5-Star Review

“I just looked this recipe up in order to make it for St. Patrick’s Day again this year. I don’t think I have ever left a review for this recipe. It is absolutely delicious. The Whisky Caramel Sauce is freakin’ amazing. I can’t decide whether I want to eat it with a spoon or just take a bath in it. This is the dessert of choice for St. Pat’s in this Irish household.” -Sandi Latham

Recipe

Irish Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel Sauce

4.58 from 33 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 20 minutes minutes

Cook: 35 minutes minutes

Total: 55 minutes minutes

Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Serves8

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This Irish Bread Pudding soaked in a rich whiskey caramel sauce is sweet, gooey, and so comforting– perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Email This Recipe

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Ingredients

For the Whiskey Caramel Sauce

  • cups granulated sugar 300 grams
  • cup water 151 grams
  • ¼ cup salted butter 57 grams, cubed (½ stick)
  • 2 ounces cream cheese 57 grams, cubed (¼ brick)
  • ¼ cup Irish Whiskey 57 grams
  • ¼ cup milk 57 grams

For the Bread Pudding

  • ¾ cup heavy cream 170 grams
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
  • ¾ tablespoon pure vanilla extract 9 grams
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk 341 grams (1 can)
  • 2 large eggs 100 grams, lightly beaten
  • ¾ cup Whiskey Caramel Sauce divided (see above)
  • 10 cups cubed French bread 454 grams, from a 1-pound loaf
  • ½ cup raisins 85 grams
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 9 grams, for topping
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 25 grams, for topping

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Make the whiskey-caramel sauce: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves.

    1½ cups granulated sugar, ⅔ cup water

  • Stop stirring and allow to simmer until mixture is golden, about 17 minutes. Do not stir!

  • Remove from heat.

  • Carefully add the butter and cream cheese, whisking constantly until all clumps are dissolved. CAUTION! Mixture will be very hot and can bubble up during this time.

    ¼ cup salted butter, 2 ounces cream cheese

  • Stir in the whiskey and milk. Mixture will bubble a bit at this step as well. Set aside.

    ¼ cup Irish Whiskey, ¼ cup milk

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • If using a casserole dish, spray with nonstick spray, or spray each ramekin with nonstick spray (approximately 6 ramekins)

  • Combine heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, evaporated milk, eggs, and ⅔ cup whiskey-caramel sauce in a large bowl. Stir well with a whisk.

    ¾ cup heavy cream, 1 cup granulated sugar, ¾ tablespoon pure vanilla extract, 12 ounces evaporated milk, 2 large eggs, ¾ cup Whiskey Caramel Sauce

  • Add bread cubes, using a spatula to push down and make sure each piece of bread is coated.

    10 cups cubed French bread

  • Cover and allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to soak up all the goodness.

  • Pour the bread mixture into the prepared 13 x 9-inch baking dish or ramekins.

  • Sprinkle top with raisins, cinnamon, and sugar.

    ½ cup raisins, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • Bake for 35 minutes, or until set.

  • Serve warm with more caramel-whiskey sauce.

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • If you don’t have salted butter, add a pinch of salt to unsalted butter.
  • If you don’t like raisins, feel free to use chocolate chips instead.
  • Feel free to use your favorite brand of whiskey.
  • You can also divide the mixture between two 8×8-inch casserole dishes.

Storage:Store Irish bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 727kcal (36%) Carbohydrates: 112g (37%) Protein: 14g (28%) Fat: 24g (37%) Saturated Fat: 13g (81%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 107mg (36%) Sodium: 475mg (21%) Potassium: 371mg (11%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 75g (83%) Vitamin A: 786IU (16%) Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) Calcium: 252mg (25%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

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Do you eat bread pudding hot or cold?

It’s best served warm, soon after coming out of the oven. But once it’s been fully cooked, you can also eat it cold if you prefer.

Why is my bread pudding soggy in the middle?

If it’s still soggy, let it continue cooking in the oven until it sets. But this might also be caused by too much liquid and not enough/sturdy enough bread to soak it all up. That’s why it’s important to use the right bread and stick to the right measurements.

How can you tell when bread pudding is done baking?

It should be set in the center, but more importantly, it should reach an internal temperature of 160°F to make sure the eggs are fully cooked.

How long does breading pudding need to soak?

Let the bread soak in the egg mixture, in the fridge, for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

More Caramel Dessert Recipes To Try

  • Caramel Pie
  • Caramel Stuffed Cookies
  • Salted Caramel Chocolate Fudge
  • Salted Caramel No Bake Cheesecake

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Irish Bread Pudding Recipe with Whiskey Caramel Sauce - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is Ireland's national dessert? ›

The national dessert of Ireland is the traditional Irish apple pie. This delicious dessert is made with sweet, tart apples, warm spices, and a buttery pastry crust. How is Irish apple pie different from other apple pies? Irish apple pie is often made with a lattice crust on top, giving it a distinctive appearance.

What is black or white Irish pudding? ›

White pudding is broadly similar to black pudding, but does not include blood. Modern recipes consist of suet or fat, oatmeal or barley, breadcrumbs and in some cases pork and pork liver, filled into a natural or cellulose sausage casing.

Why is my bread pudding watery? ›

Perhaps you didn't add enough bread to sop up the egg and milk mixture. With this recipe, make sure you measure everything out first and you shouldn't have a watery bread pudding.

What are cookies called in Ireland? ›

Irish cookies, also called “biscuits,” are part of the grand tea tradition in the British Isles.

What is Ireland's signature food? ›

Irish stew: This is the dish Irish people are most likely to roll out for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Hearty chunks of lamb are slow-cooked in a rich gravy with onion, potatoes, carrot and parsley. Coddle is a traditional Dublin stew with sausages, onion, potato and bacon – or rashers as they're known locally.

What is Irish bread made of? ›

Containing just four ingredients — all-purpose wheat flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk — this Irish soda bread recipe is very much in line with what's eaten in Ireland. In addition to this version made with white flour, the Irish do make a whole wheat (aka wholemeal) variety as well.

What does bread pudding contain? ›

Bread pudding is a bread-based dessert popular in many countries' cuisines. It is made with stale bread and milk or cream, generally containing eggs, a form of fat such as oil, butter or suet and, depending on whether the pudding is sweet or savory, a variety of other ingredients.

What makes Irish bread different? ›

In the United States, "Irish soda bread" generally means a somewhat sweet white bread made with eggs and butter and studded with raisins and caraway seeds — the "soda" in the name comes from the baking soda (or "bread soda" in Ireland) used to leaven it instead of yeast and kneading.

What is the difference between Irish and English black pudding? ›

flanneruk writes: "In essence,Irish black pudding is the same as English, Scottish, French or Spanish black pudding, though there are some variations on flavourings. " There are also variations of 'fillers. ' Some use grain; some use rice.

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