Woodford Bourbon Bread Pudding

This holiday season my work schedule has been rather hectic. I've been traveling a lot and not seeing my family and friends. This Thanksgiving I was able to make it home and I decided to have a huge Thanksgiving feast at my home the Saturday after. Although this is a Thanksgiving dinner, I couldn't help but be in the Christmas mood and get festive! In preparation I visited the area craft shop, antique shop, and grocery to get my beautiful decorative table scape. I must say I impressed myself on the table setting.
For my fabulous Thanksgiving dinner I wanted to make my Woodford Bourbon Bread Pudding. This is a recipe that I tend to make different each time I make it. I'm always adding different nuts, fruits, and creams. I remember the first time I made this, I had my girlfriends over for a get together. It was a hit! The second time I made it, it was just for me. Yes believe it or not I did finish the whole dish of bread pudding myself! Not in one day of course. Before I get to this delicious recipe, I'd like to discuss why I use Woodford Reserve Bourbon. It is a smooth bourbon with beautiful color. It is not only excellent to sip in relaxation but cooks excellent in desserts. I never really appreciated the taste of bourbon until I started using it in my desserts. Woodford Reserve Distillery is located in Versailles, Kentucky. Kentucky is well known for its bourbon and the beautiful and tasty Kentucky Bourbon Trail. If you aren't a bourbon fan you can substitute with your favorite booze. You can also eliminate the alcohol and just add the vanilla extract and cinnamon. That is delicious as well! 

WOODFORD RESERVE BOURBON BREAD 

PUDDING Ingredients:

 1 large loaf of Italian or French bread 

3 large eggs 

2 cups milk 

1 1/2 cups half and half 

1 tablespoon vanilla extract 

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

2 cups sugar 

1/4 cup melted butter (1/2 stick) 

1/4 cup almonds or pecans 

1/2 cup chopped apple (your favorite apple) 

1/2 cup chopped pear  

1/4 cup raisins 

Ingredients for Bourbon Sauce: 

1 stick of butter 

1/2 cup sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 cup heavy whipping cream 

1/4 cup Woodford Reserve Bourbon (or to taste) 

Non-alcoholic: Add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

Preheat your oven to 375'. 

Use butter or use oil spray to coat the inside of your casserole dish. Cube the bread and put into the casserole dish. Melt butter and set aside. 

For the bread mixture, whisk the eggs, milk, half and half, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar. Whisk the melted butter into your mixture. Add your nuts of choice, chopped apple, chopped pear, and raisins. Gently pour the mixture evenly over your bread cubes. I gently toss the bread and mixture around to make sure all the fruits and nuts get evenly distributed. Bake for 50-60 minutes. 

For your sauce, put the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream, and bourbon in a saucepan. Let it come to a light boil while whisking constantly. Reduce your heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. I like to just keep it to a very low simmer so it will remain nice and warm while eating dinner. 

You can either pour the sauce over the bread pudding or serve in a pretty dish and pour individually. I personally like to pour it individually. 

For my Thanksgiving dinner I made one sauce with bourbon and one without. To top it off there is no better way to serve this moist flavorful dessert than in a whiskey glass. Perfect portion and so adorable! 

Please enjoy! :-)