Imagine a dessert that captures the essence of holiday magic in every single bite - a decadent creation that transforms classic croissants into a luxurious bread pudding, infused with the rich, creamy goodness of eggnog and drizzled with golden caramel. This isn't just a dessert; it's a culinary experience that will transport you to a world of festive indulgence, where every spoonful tells a story of warmth, comfort, and pure deliciousness.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 6 croissants, torn into pieces
- 4 cups eggnog
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, tear the croissants into roughly 1-inch pieces, creating rustic, uneven chunks that will provide varied texture to the bread pudding.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, eggnog, sugar, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Pour the melted butter over the torn croissant pieces and gently toss to coat evenly, ensuring the butter distributes throughout the bread.
- Transfer the buttered croissant pieces into the prepared baking dish, spreading them out in an even layer.
- Slowly pour the eggnog custard mixture over the croissant pieces, making sure to saturate all the bread thoroughly. Press down gently with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.
- Allow the bread pudding to sit for 10-15 minutes before baking, giving the croissants time to fully absorb the custard mixture.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes to allow the pudding to set completely.
- While the bread pudding is cooling, warm the caramel sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Drizzle the warm caramel sauce generously over the bread pudding just before serving, creating an indulgent and glossy finish.
- Serve warm, optionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra decadence.
Tips
- Use day-old croissants for the best texture - slightly stale bread absorbs the custard more effectively.
- Let the bread pudding rest for 10-15 minutes before baking to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
- Don't overbake - a slightly jiggly center means a more custardy, moist result.
- For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or a handful of chopped pecans.
- Warm the caramel sauce gently to prevent burning and achieve the perfect drizzling consistency.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 230mg
