bread pudding souffle with whiskey sauce
This recipe is from Chef Jamie Shannon from the famed Commander's Palace in New Orleans, LA. This is the restaurant's signature dessert, and the single most sought-after dish in the family's restaurant history. Make the bread pudding and the sauce in advance, the meringue just before assembling and baking.
No Image
prep time
25 Min
cook time
50 Min
method
Bake
yield
6 serving(s)
Ingredients
- BREAD PUDDING:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 3 medium eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (not an imitation)
- 5 cups day-old french bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (see note below)
- 1/3 cup raisins
- WHISKEY SAUCE:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- MERINGUE:
- 9 medium egg whites, room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3/4 cup sugar
How To Make bread pudding souffle with whiskey sauce
-
Step 1Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
-
Step 2To make the bread pudding, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs until smooth, then work in the heavy cream. Add the vanilla, then the bread cubes. Allow the bread to soak up the custard. Scatter the raisins in the greased pan, and top with the egg mixture, which will prevent the raisins from burning. Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes or until the pudding has a golden color and is firm to the touch. If a toothpick inserted in the pudding comes out clean, it is done. It should be moist, not runny or dry. Let cool to room temperature.
-
Step 3To make the sauce, bring the cream to a boil, combine the cornstarch and water, and add the mixture to the boiling cream, stirring constantly. Return to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the mixture. Add the sugar and bourbon, and stir. Let cool to room temperature.
-
Step 4Preheat the oven to 350°F, and butter six 6-ounce ceramic ramekins.
-
Step 5To make the meringue, be certain that you use a bowl and whisk that are clean and that the egg whites are completely free of yolk. This dish needs a good, stiff meringue, and the egg whites will whip better if the chill is off them. In a large bowl or mixer, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, and continue whipping until shiny and thick. Test with a clean spoon. If the whites stand up stiff, like shaving cream, when you pull out the spoon, the meringue is ready. Do not overwhip, or the whites will break down and the soufflé will not work.
-
Step 6In a large bowl, break half the bread pudding into pieces using your hands or a spoon. Gently fold in a quarter of the meringue, being careful not to lose the air in the whites. Place a portion of this mixture in each of the ramekins.
-
Step 7Place the remaining bread pudding in the bowl, break into pieces, and carefully fold in the rest of the meringue. Top off the soufflés with this lighter mixture, to about 1 1/2 inches over the top edge of the ramekin. With a spoon, smooth and shape the tops into a dome over the ramekin rim.
-
Step 8Bake immediately for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately. Using a spoon at the table, poke a hole in the top of each soufflé and spoon the room-temperature whiskey sauce into the soufflé.
-
Step 9Note: New Orleans French bread is very light and tender. Outside New Orleans, use only a light bread. If the bread is too dense, the recipe won't work. We suggest Italian bread as the most comparable.
-
Step 10Chef Jamie's Tip: New Orleanians like their spiked foods spiked, which is why the whiskey sauce in this recipe uses what might seem like a generous amount of bourbon. Cut the amount of bourbon if you'd prefer. A standard crème anglaise would make a good alcohol-free alternative sauce.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Discover More
Comment & Reviews
ADVERTISEMENT
Just A Pinch Sweepstakes