Southern Pecan Praline Bread Pudding 🍞🥜

This Southern Pecan Praline Bread Pudding is the kind of dessert that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. Cubes of soft bread soak up a rich vanilla custard, then bake until golden and slightly crisp around the edges. Toasted pecans add a delicious crunch, while a buttery brown sugar praline sauce melts into every bite.

It is cozy, old-fashioned Southern comfort food at its best—and it is especially delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Bread Pudding

• 8 cups day-old French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup raisins, optional

For the Pecan Praline Topping

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

2. Prepare the Bread

Place the cubed bread into a large mixing bowl.

If your bread is very fresh, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and let them sit uncovered for about 30 minutes so they can dry slightly. Day-old bread works best because it absorbs the custard without becoming completely mushy.

3. Make the Custard

In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the sugars are mostly dissolved.

4. Combine Everything

Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes.

Gently toss until every piece of bread is coated.

Fold in the chopped pecans and raisins if using.

Let the mixture sit for 10–15 minutes, giving the bread time to absorb the custard.

5. Bake the Bread Pudding

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.

The pudding should still have a soft, moist center but should not look liquid when gently shaken.

Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

🥜 Make the Pecan Praline Sauce

While the bread pudding is baking, prepare the topping.

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the brown sugar and heavy cream.
3. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth.
4. Bring it to a gentle simmer and cook for about 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Remove from the heat.
6. Stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and chopped pecans.

The sauce should be thick, glossy, and buttery.

6. Finish the Bread Pudding

Drizzle the warm pecan praline sauce generously over the freshly baked bread pudding.

For an extra indulgent dessert, reserve a little sauce for serving.

Let the pudding rest for another 5–10 minutes before slicing.

🍨 Serving Suggestions

Serve the bread pudding warm with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Extra toasted pecans
• Caramel sauce
• A drizzle of warm praline sauce
• A light dusting of powdered sugar

The combination of warm bread pudding + cold vanilla ice cream + buttery pecan praline sauce is hard to beat.

⭐ Tips for the Best Bread Pudding

Use sturdy bread: French bread, brioche, challah, or thick Texas toast all work beautifully.

Don’t skip the soaking time: Allowing the bread to sit in the custard helps create that soft, creamy interior.

Toast the pecans: For even deeper flavor, toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3–5 minutes before adding them.

Don’t overbake: Overbaking can make bread pudding dry. The center should remain soft and custardy.

Let it rest: A short resting period after baking allows the custard to finish setting.

🍂 Easy Variations

Bourbon Pecan Praline

Add 1–2 tablespoons bourbon to the praline sauce for a classic Southern twist.

Chocolate Pecan

Add 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips to the bread mixture before baking.

Apple Pecan

Fold in 1 cup peeled, diced apples along with the pecans.

Maple Pecan

Replace 1/4 cup of the brown sugar in the custard with pure maple syrup for extra warmth and sweetness.

Raisin Bread Pudding

Use cinnamon-raisin bread instead of French bread and skip the additional raisins.

🧊 Storage and Reheating

Store leftover bread pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave for about 30–60 seconds, or warm them in a 325°F oven until heated through.

Store the praline sauce separately if possible. Warm it gently before drizzling over the leftovers.

⏱️ Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Soaking Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour 25 minutes
• Servings: 10–12
• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: Southern American

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Southern Dessert

This Southern Pecan Praline Bread Pudding is rich, buttery, creamy, nutty, and incredibly comforting. The soft custard-soaked bread pairs perfectly with crunchy pecans and the sweet brown sugar praline topping.

It’s easy enough for a cozy family dessert but special enough for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday dinners, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.