Bread Pudding Recipe with Chocolate Chips & Bourbon Sauce

There’s something about a warm dessert in winter that just feels right. The kind that steams slightly when you cut into it. The kind that makes the whole kitchen smell like butter, cinnamon, and sugar melting together. This bread pudding recipe is exactly that.

About The Recipe

The white sauce here is inspired by Preppy Kitchen, and honestly, it transforms everything. It takes something humble and makes it feel restaurant-worthy. This is what I make when I want to impress people but don’t have hours to experiment with complicated desserts. It looks elegant, tastes indulgent, and yet it’s made from something as simple as bread.
And here’s the truth, bread pudding is one of those desserts that surprises people. They don’t expect much. But then they take a bite. The soft custard-soaked bread, the little pools of melted chocolate, the hint of cinnamon warmth, and then that silky bourbon sauce poured on top… and suddenly everyone wants seconds.
This is the dessert you make when you want to be cozy. When you want something nostalgic. When you want something that feels like effort, without actually exhausting yourself.

What Is Bread Pudding?

Bread pudding is a classic baked dessert made by soaking bread in a sweet custard mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, and spices, then baking it until set. It was originally a way to use up stale bread, which honestly makes it even more beautiful. It turns leftovers into something comforting and rich. In this bread pudding recipe, we’re taking that traditional base and making it a little more special. Chocolate chips melt inside the custard, and a warm bourbon white sauce drizzled on top adds depth and silkiness. It’s still simple. Still approachable. But just elevated enough to feel special.

Why This Bread Pudding Recipe Works

This recipe works because everything is balanced. The milk mixture is gently heated with butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt before the eggs are added. That step makes sure the sugar fully dissolves and the flavors bloom before baking. Cooling it before adding eggs ensures the custard stays smooth.

Layering the bread and chocolate instead of dumping everything together ensures every bite has melted chocolate without clumping. Baking uncovered first gives structure, then covering with foil allows the center to cook without over-browning. And here’s something important: if the bread seems like too little at first, don’t worry. Once it absorbs the custard and bakes, it fluffs up beautifully. It transforms.

That’s the magic of a good bread pudding recipe.

Pro Tips

For the best texture, use slightly stale bread if you can. If your bread is fresh, simply toast it lightly at 180°C for about 10 minutes to dry it out a little. This helps it absorb the custard much better without turning soggy. Make sure the milk mixture has cooled completely before adding the eggs; warm is fine, but hot will scramble them. Don’t rush the baking process either, bread pudding sets gradually, and the center should look softly set, not runny. Once it comes out of the oven, let it rest for at least 10–15 minutes so it slices neatly and tastes even better. And if you want deeper flavor, you can assemble everything and let it sit for 20–30 minutes before baking, this gives the bread enough time to fully soak up all that custard goodness.

What Most People Get Wrong

• Adding Eggs to Hot Milk
  
  • If the milk mixture is too hot when eggs are added, they scramble instantly. Always cool the mixture to room temperature and whisk constantly when adding eggs.
• Overbaking
  
  • Bread pudding should be set but tender. If baked too long, it dries out. Check around the 40-minute mark. A knife inserted in the center should come out mostly clean but slightly moist.
• Not Letting It Rest
  
  • Cutting immediately makes it look messy and loose. Let it rest so the custard firms up slightly.

Ingredients and Why They Matter

Here’s what makes this bread pudding recipe so addictive:

• Vienna Bread: It absorbs the custard beautifully while still holding its structure, giving that soft but sliceable texture.
• Milk: It creates the creamy custard base that soaks into every piece of bread.
• Eggs: They bind everything together and give the pudding structure once baked.
• Sugar: It sweetens the dessert and helps create a golden top layer.
• Chocolate Chips: They melt into little pockets of richness throughout the pudding.
• Butter: It adds depth, richness, and a silky texture to the custard.
• Cinnamon: It gives warmth and that comforting winter aroma.
• Salt: It balances sweetness and prevents the dessert from tasting flat.
• Vanilla Essence: It enhances the sweetness and rounds out all the flavors.
• Flour (for the sauce): It thickens the white sauce smoothly without making it heavy.
• Bourbon: It adds warmth and complexity to the sauce without overwhelming it.

What to Eat It With

This bread pudding recipe is perfect on its own, but pouring warm white sauce over a freshly cut square takes it to another level. A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the top is also beautiful.

If you love comforting recipes like this, you might also enjoy my Nutella Stuffed Pancakes for sweet mornings, Eggless Orange Yoghurt Cake for tea time, Broccoli Cheddar Soup for cozy evenings, or Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms when you want something warm and hearty.

FAQs

Which breads can be used to make Bread pudding?
Rich and airy breads like brioche, challah or even classic french bread.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble it and refrigerate overnight, then bake the next day.

Can I skip bourbon?
Absolutely. Replace it with vanilla extract in the sauce.

How do I know it’s done?
The center should be set but slightly soft. It will continue to firm up as it cools.

Why is my pudding dry?
It was likely overbaked or didn’t have enough custard ratio.

This bread pudding recipe is proof that simple ingredients can become something deeply comforting. It’s warm. It’s nostalgic. It’s the kind of dessert that makes people pause mid-bite and say, “Wait… this is really good.” And honestly, that’s the kind of recipe worth sharing.

If you love cozy, comforting dishes that feel thoughtful but never complicated, you’ll always find something warm waiting for you at Birali’s Kitchen.