11.14.2012

Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Eggnog Sauce


It's that time of the week again: 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats blog hop hosted by Meal Planning Magic! As always, it's never to late to join the blog hop. If you are a blogger and want to get in the Christmas spirit a little early this year, head on over to get more information and sign up!


This week I'm bringing you a treat that is a little different: Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Eggnog Sauce. This idea was inspired by a dessert I had on a recent visit at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, VA. If y'all have never been there, be sure to check it out the next time you go through Richmond. It is something amazing. And the food...is out of this world!


The inspiration behind this recipe is a scrumptious gingerbread bread pudding with a cream cheese sauce and scoop of eggnog ice cream. Now tell me that isn't making your mouth water. In attempts to re-create this masterpiece, I did some research and came up with my own version.


While my version is not as rich or decadent (because I like to keep things somewhat skinny and "healthy"), my recipe is still mouth-wateringly delicious. The spicy, flavorful gingerbread cake makes this bread pudding smell and taste like Christmas. The eggnog sauce adds a smooth and sweet richness to the spicy bread pudding. Served right out of the oven, this dessert is great for filling you stomachs and hearts with warmth and happiness. Yes I realize how corny that sounds, but it's so true. :-)

Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Eggnog Sauce (adapted from AllRecipes)
(6-9 servings)

Gingerbread Bread Pudding:
1 box gingerbread mix (plus ingredients to make), or 6 cups cubed gingerbread cake
2 cups milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
4 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed*
2 Tbsp unsalted butter

Eggnog Sauce:
3/4 cup eggnog
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract

If preparing gingerbread cake from mix, make and bake according to box directions. Once cake is cooled, cut into cubes. Allow cake to sit uncovered overnight; or place cubes on baking sheet and toast in 250 degree oven for about 25 minutes. You want the gingerbread cake to be "stale" or somewhat dried out so that it soaks up all of the liquid.

Combine milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, salt, vanilla extract, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until ingredients are combined. Add cubed gingerbread to mixture, pressing down to make sure all of bread is covered. Place in refrigerator to soak for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare an 8 inch square baking pan by placing butter in the baking dish and putting it in heated oven. Allow butter to melt and remove dish from oven. Pour soaked bread into prepared baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until bread pudding is set.

While bread pudding is baking, make the eggnog sauce. Add eggnog and flour to a saucepan. Whisk together. Add butter, sugar, and nutmeg. Heat mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove mixture from heat and mix in vanilla. Set aside until bread pudding is ready.

When bread pudding is set, remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Serve warm with eggnog sauce.

*This bread pudding recipe does not call for a lot of sugar because the sauce adds sweetness. If you do not plan on serving a sauce with this recipe, I would suggest increasing the brown sugar to 1/2-3/4 cup, depending on how sweet you want your bread pudding to be.

Print this recipe!

Nutritional Info (for bread pudding)
Servings Per Recipe: 9
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 281.1
Total Fat: 10.9 g
Cholesterol: 111.1 mg
Sodium: 458.5 mg
Total Carbs: 43.2 g
Fiber: 0.2 g
Sugars: 24.9 g
Protein: 3.2 g

Nutritional Info (for bread pudding and sauce)
Servings Per Recipe: 9
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 368.7
Total Fat: 17.6 g
Cholesterol: 137.6 mg
Sodium: 470.6 mg
Total Carbs: 49.4 g
Fiber: 0.2 g
Sugars: 29.5 g
Protein: 4.1 g

Pros:
-Great holiday treat
-Easy to make
-Impressive presentation
-Great leftovers-just heat bread pudding in the microwave for 30-45 seconds and spoon warm sauce over top
-Versatile-mix in raisins, dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, or other mix-ins to the bread pudding

Cons:
-Caloric and high in sodium

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Check out some of the link parties that I shared this recipe on!

Check out all of the Christmas treats from this week! Click on the picture to see the full recipe.


30 comments:

  1. Oh man. This looks so good. I don't even like gingerbread and when I look at this bread pudding, it doesn't even matter. I might have to give gingerbread a try again. =) Thanks for stopping by!

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    1. Oh I love gingerbread! I look forward to Christmas so I can get my fill. You could always try making this recipe with other types of bread if gingerbread isn't your thing...I think banana bread would be delicious too. :)

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  2. Love the sounds of that eggnog sauce!

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    1. Thank you Ed! It's so easy, and could go with so many different desserts. It's a great staple recipe for holiday baking!

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  3. That eggnog sauce sounds so good. What a great idea!

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    1. Thanks Karen! While this bread pudding is absolutely delicious without it, I think it makes this recipe extra special.

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  4. This looks absolutely delicious! I can't wait for December to hit so I can start making gingerbreadish things :)

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    1. Good for you for waiting until December. I couldn't hold out!! I love gingerbread everything. :)

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  5. Elaine, this looks SO good! I am going ginerbread CRAZY lately! i made a gingerbread cake last weekend. And your photos are vastly improving. I want to jump through the screen and takea big bite! and I'm not even hungry right now :) Love that eggnog sauce!

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    Replies
    1. That means so much! Thank you Sally!! Can't wait to read your tips and improve my pictures and blog even more. :)

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you Aimee! I have been craving gingerbread for a while, so I just dove right in with this bread pudding. It is even more amazing than I imagined. :)

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  7. Nice recipe. I found it over at Recipes for my Boys' Thursday Treasures, and now I've found your blog hop too. Thank you for both. :) I've pinned the recipe to my sweets board.

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    1. I'm so glad that you stopped by and like what you see! I hope to see you around again very soon. :)

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  8. I have to admit-I'm not usually a fan of bread pudding but add some gingerbread and I think you sold me! This sounds good!

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    1. That's quite the compliment Dawn! Thank you!!

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  9. Wow, all those flavors just scream Christmas. Love it.

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    1. I know! It makes me so excited for the holidays. :)

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  10. I believe I know what someone will be contributing to Thanksgiving dinner!

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    1. Haha I thought you might like the looks of this! I'd be more than happy to make a batch or two next week!!

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  11. This sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party.

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    1. Thank you Kelly! I love Foodie Friends Friday, so it's my pleasure. :)

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  12. Now normally I'm not a huuuuuge bread pudding fan, but I think this could easily convert me! The gingerbread looks SO plump and delicious, and that eggnog sauce is screaming my name. Love this, Elaine!

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    1. I think I've converted a couple of people! I used to feel the same way, but if you have bread pudding made correctly it is deeelicious. Especially with the rich and yummy eggnog sauce. :)

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  13. OH DEAR GOD this looks and sounds AH-MAY-ZING! I only ever had my first bread pudding a few years ago and I'm in love with how decadent, smooth, creamy and rich they are. I love that you combined the two quintessential Christmas flavours of eggnog AND gingerbread - YUM! (I'm really excited - you can tell by my over-use of the caps lock button).

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    1. Haha I'm so glad this recipe gets you that excited Nancy! I hope you love it as much as I do. :)

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  14. Oh My! I am in love with this bread pudding!! I have bookmarked this and I am sure to make it for Christmas Eve! Thanks for sharing! I love the look of your blog! I plan to stop by often!

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    1. Thank you Chandra! You are going to love this recipe...it'll be a hit on Christmas Eve! I hope to see you around again soon. :)

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