Mardi Gras King Cake-Inspired Bread Pudding Recipe
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Cook Time:
35 minutes
Servings:
10 Servings
Ingredients
  • 5 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 2 ½ cups half-and-half
  • 16 ounces brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup packed dark brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup butter, at room temperature
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
  1. Prepare the bread pudding: Preheat the oven to 375 F.
  2. Grease or spray a 2.5-quart baking dish and set it aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk to combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and spices.
  4. Whisk in the half-and-half to combine.
  5. Add the bread cubes and toss them lightly to coat (if your bowl isn't large enough, divide into two bowls). Avoid mashing or breaking up the bread cubes as much as possible.
  6. Pour half the bread mixture evenly into baking dish. Don't press.
  7. To prepare the cinnamon filling, in a small bowl, mix to combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter until uniform.
  8. Toss in pecans, if desired.
  9. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture evenly over the bread pudding layer.
  10. Top evenly with the remaining bread pudding mixture.
  11. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and set; transfer to a rack to cool slightly.
  12. In the meantime, to prepare the glaze, mix to combine the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
  13. Mix in the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and salt to combine.
  14. Pipe or spoon the glaze decoratively over warm bread pudding.
  15. Top decoratively with sanding sugars if desired.
  16. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired and serve.