Irish Bread Pudding with Bailey’s Sauce

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A St. Patrick’s Day twist on our classic Croissant Bread Pudding, this Irish Whiskey-spiked Raisin Bread Pudding is a tasty St Patrick’s Day dessert for grown-ups (that is perfectly acceptable to serve at any time of year).

An old fashioned Bread Pudding recipe made with Irish Whiskey and topped with a homemade Bailey's Sauce

Irish Whiskey Raisin Bread Pudding Recipe

Up until last year, I avoided whiskey thinking that it would be like the harsh, cheap scotches I had tried in university. But after trying Jameson and experimenting with a few fun whiskey recipes (like my Strawberry Whiskey Smash and my Sugar Plum Whiskey Smash), I’ve developed an appreciation for the golden liquid.

In the past, I’ve only used Guinness and Bailey’s in my St Patrick’s Day recipes (like my Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey’s Frosting) but this year, I needed to give a nod to my newfound whiskey appreciation by incorporating it into a fun dessert! And since bread pudding is hands down my favorite dessert, why not an Irish Whiskey Bread Pudding – with a Bailey’s butter sauce, naturally.

Now, I don’t like my bread pudding to be too soft. I want texture and contrast; crunchy caramelized bits and soft, melt-in-your-mouth bits, so that’s what this recipe delivers, along with buttery, caramel flavors with a hint of whiskey and a touch of Bailey’s. No single flavor overpowers this recipe, it’s very well balanced.

If you want a softer pudding, you’re going to have to increase the cream, soak the mixture for longer and use fresher croissants (or maybe just plain old bread). 

a white platter filled with raisin bread pudding dripping with Bailey's butter sauce

This recipe is best prepared with slightly stale croissants, but you can use day old bread, or even fresh bread or croissants.

I’ll be honest with you: I can’t walk past a package of butter croissants without purchasing them, so I always have a stash in my kitchen. You could even pick up some day old ones at a discount for this recipe and they would be perfect.

While the bread pudding won’t last too long (about a week covered in the fridge), that Bailey’s butter sauce will last for at least a month. I’ve even kept a jar of butter sauce for a few months without any issues but as it does contain cream, you may want to dispose of any unused sauce after a month.

You can prepare the recipe the day before, but keep in mind if you soak the croissants overnight you will have a softer (mushier) bread pudding. 

I often order my liquor from Drizly because they have a quick delivery time (sometimes within 40 minutes) and no expensive mark-ups. Purchasing from them supports local retailers, too. You can order the Irish whiskey and Bailey’s needed for this recipe here.

composite image with a slice of irish bread pudding along with three in-process images of how to make it

Ingredients for Raisin Bread Pudding

Bailey’s Butter Sauce Ingredients:

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: you can soak the raisins in the Whiskey overnight, if desired. Swap out the whiskey for your favorite alcohol.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Sharp kitchen knife
  • Mixing bowl
  • Casserole dish
a white plate with a large serving of raisin bread pudding dripping with Bailey's butter sauce and topped with whipped cream

How to Make Irish Bread Pudding

Grease or line a 8″x8″ baking dish and set aside.

Combine raisins and whiskey in a small bowl, then cover and set aside. (Let stand at least 10 minutes.)

in-process image of how to make irish bread pudding

Meanwhile, whisk together the half and half, eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.

Stir the chopped croissants into the cream mixture and add in 3/4 cup of the soaked raisins.

in-process image of how to make irish bread pudding

Pour the croissant mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle the remaining raisins overtop.

Allow the bread pudding to set up for 25 minutes, allowing the croissants to soak up the egg mixture.

in-process image of how to make irish bread pudding

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Sprinkle sugar over the top of the bread pudding.

Bake for 50 minutes, until an inserted knife comes out clean (no raw eggs). You may need to cover the dish with tinfoil towards the end of the baking time to prevent the top or edges from becoming too browned.

in-process image of how to make irish bread pudding

To make the butter sauce, add all of the ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat.

Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the flavor, as desired, by adding more Bailey’s or a flavor extract (such as vanilla).

To serve, pour the butter sauce over the warm bread pudding, or serve on the side in a bowl. Garnish with fresh whipping cream.

Pin this Irish Whiskey Bread Pudding with Bailey’s Sauce for a special occasion:

Irish Whiskey Bread Pudding with Bailey's Butter Sauce is a decadent, boozy dessert perfect for special occasions (like St Patrick's Day or a special birthday dessert). Can also make bourbon bread pudding with this recipe

Grab your free printable recipe card for our Irish bread pudding recipe:

Yield: 6 servings

Irish Raisin Bread Pudding

Irish Raisin Bread Pudding

Irish Whiskey Bread Pudding with Bailey's Butter Sauce is a decadent, boozy dessert perfect for special occasions (like St Patrick's Day or a special birthday dessert). Can also make bourbon bread pudding with this recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 croissants, chopped
  • 2 cup 10% cream (half and half)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup Jameson Whiskey
  • 1 cup raisins, to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar, to sprinkle

Butter Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream (35%)
  • 1 Tablespoon Bailey's or Whiskey, optional
  • Fresh whipping cream, optional garnish

Instructions

  1. Grease or line a 8"x8" baking dish and set aside.
  2. Combine raisins and whiskey in a small bowl, then cover and set aside. (Let stand at least 10 minutes.)
  3. Meanwhile, whisk together the half and half, eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Stir the chopped croissants into the cream mixture and add in 3/4 cup of the soaked raisins.
  5. Pour the croissant mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining raisins overtop.
  7. Allow the bread pudding to set up for 25 minutes, allowing the croissants to soak up the egg mixture.
  8. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  9. Sprinkle sugar over the top of the bread pudding.
  10. Bake for 50 minutes, until an inserted knife comes out clean (no raw eggs). You may need to cover the dish with tinfoil towards the end of the baking time to prevent the top or edges from becoming too browned.
  11. To make the butter sauce, add all of the ingredients (brown sugar, butter, heavy whipping cream and Bailey's) to a saucepan over medium heat.
  12. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the flavor, as desired, by adding more Bailey's or a flavor extract (such as vanilla).
  13. To serve, pour the butter sauce over the warm bread pudding, or serve on the side in a bowl. Garnish with fresh whipping cream.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 625Total Fat: 65gSaturated Fat: 39gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 310mgSodium: 486mgCarbohydrates: 97gFiber: 3gSugar: 68gProtein: 13g

Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.

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a white plate with a large serving of raisin bread pudding dripping with Bailey's butter sauce and topped with whipped cream

This Irish Whiskey Bread Pudding with Bailey’s Sauce is a fun twist on a traditional bread pudding with vanilla sauce. It makes a gorgeous, simple dessert for entertaining.

For more decadent desserts, check out our full dessert recipe collection here:

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