Food and Recipes Desserts Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Recipe 5.0 (1) 1 Review This bread pudding is from New Orleans chef Leah Chase, the queen of Creole cuisine. And yes, it does call for 5 tablespoons of vanilla extract! By Leah Chase Leah Chase (1923–2019) Leah Chase, also known as the "Queen of Creole Cuisine" was a James Beard award-winning chef who spent seven decades creating countless meals in her establishment, Dooky Chase's Restaurant, one of the best-known and most culturally significant restaurants in the Treme-Lafitte neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. The oldest of 14 children, Leah Lange Chase, was born and raised in Madisonville, Louisiana, and first began cooking in 1946. Over the years, Leah morphed from being a local-restaurant powerhouse into a national culinary legend. Presidents stopped by to eat, and she was even the inspiration for the character Tiana in Disney's The Princess and the Frog. And while Leah passed away in 2019, her restaurant continues her traditions today. Find it at dookychaserestaurants.com. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 6, 2022 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell Hands On Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins Yield: 10 to 12 servings Ingredients 2 (12-oz.) cans evaporated milk 6 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 (16-oz.) day-old French bread loaf, cubed 1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained 1 large Red Delicious apple, unpeeled and grated 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 cup raisins 5 tablespoons vanilla extract 1/4 cup butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and softened Bourbon Sauce Directions Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together evaporated milk, eggs, and 1 cup water in a large bowl until well blended. Add bread cubes, stirring to coat thoroughly. Stir in pineapple and next 4 ingredients. Stir in butter, blending well. Pour into a greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes or until set and crust is golden. Remove from oven, and let stand 2 minutes. Serve with Bourbon Sauce. Print