Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Bread pudding is often thought of as a winter dessert, but it is just as scrumptious in the summertime when filled with fresh peaches and topped with a boozy caramel sauce. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is optional—but highly recommended. A spiked caramel sauce makes this bread pudding truly spectacular. Resist the urge to stir the caramel as it cooks, and watch it closely. Once it starts to brown, it can easily turn too dark and become bitter.
How to Make It
Step 1
Prepare the Bread Pudding: Whisk together egg yolks, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, 2 cups heavy cream, and 2/3 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Add bread pieces, and toss to coat pieces evenly. Cover and chill 8 to 12 hours to allow bread to absorb the liquid.
Step 2
Preheat oven to 350°F. Gently rub peaches under running water to remove fuzz, and chop peaches. (You will have about 6 1/2 cups.) Beat egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Remove soaked bread from refrigerator; stir in 4 tablespoons salted butter pieces and chopped peaches. Fold in whipped egg whites until combined. Transfer mixture to a well-greased (with butter) 13- x 9-inch baking dish or a large cast-iron skillet. Cover loosely with aluminum foil, and bake in preheated oven until it puffs in the center, about 45 minutes. Remove foil, and bake until the top is lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes.
Step 3
Prepare the Bourbon Caramel: Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high; stir in water and 1 cup granulated sugar. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is a medium shade of brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Carefully whisk in 1 cup heavy cream. (Mixture will bubble up as the cream is added.) Remove from heat, and whisk in bourbon. Serve Bourbon Caramel warm with the Bread Pudding.
