Do you have stale bread laying around? Instead of using it in savory vegan stuffing, put it to use in this sweet Vegan Bread Pudding! This decadent dessert will remind you of my French Toast Casserole. It features bread cubes drenched in a rich coconut cream sauce and bejeweled with bourbon-soaked raisins. Finished with a sweet bourbon sauce on top, it’s one of the best treats to indulge in for Christmas or any time of year. The best part is that this classic dessert, which is usually made with heaps of eggs and dairy, is completely vegan and dairy free! You would never notice, though. Every bite is rich, sweet, and warmly spiced.
Ingredients needed (with substitutions)
Raisins – Bourbon-soaked raisins are an important part of any bread pudding dessert! Try not to skip them.Bourbon whiskey – I recommend using bourbon whiskey rather than rye whiskey because of its sweeter flavor, which, of course, pairs best with the sugar, butter, and coconut milk. It’s an important part of soaking the raisins and making the finishing glaze. If needed, you can totally leave it out though!Bread – For the best results, use day-old or stale bread. French bread is my favorite here but you could also use ciabatta, sourdough, or thick sandwich bread.Vegan butterCoconut milk – The creaminess of canned full fat coconut milk makes it my favorite non-dairy milk to use in this dessert. If you can’t have coconut products, soy milk or oat milk may work instead.Silken tofu – Think of this as the egg replacer. Blending this very soft tofu in the coconut cream sauce will help thicken the consistency.CornstarchGranulated sugar – You need granulated sugar in both the cream sauce and the bourbon sauce.Vanilla extractAllspiceCinnamon – To enhance the warmth and comfort of this dessert. Feel free to add a small pinch of nutmeg in addition to the cinnamon and allspice.Almond milk – For the bourbon sauce. Any kind of plant milk will work in its place.
How to make vegan bread pudding
Find the complete printable recipe with measurements below in the recipe card. Pour the bourbon over the raisins in a bowl and leave them to soak for a few hours. Once the time is almost up, start the recipe by placing the cubed bread in a buttered baking dish. Blend the coconut milk, silken tofu, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla, allspice, and cinnamon together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour it over the bread in the baking dish. Sprinkle the bourbon raisins over top, then gently stir it all together. Place the dish in the oven to bake until the liquid has set and the edges are starting to brown. Set the dish aside to cool while you make the bourbon sauce. Stir the butter, sugar, and milk together in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then stir in the bourbon. Cook the sauce for a few more minutes. Drizzle the bourbon sauce over the bread pudding to finish. Scoop it into bowls and enjoy!
Serving suggestions
While it’s already fantastic on its own, you can zhuzh up every scoop of dairy free bread pudding with even more toppings. In addition to the bourbon glaze, top the dessert with a dusting of powdered sugar, chopped nuts or slivered almonds, or berries and sliced bananas. A scoop of vegan ice cream on the side is always welcome or keep it simple with a dollop of coconut whipped cream. You could even add a drizzle of vegan custard over top for extra sweetness. Yum!
Frequently asked questions
Want more decadent vegan desserts?
Vegan Monkey BreadSalted Caramel BrowniesVegan Pecan BarsVegan Pumpkin RollGingerbread Cookies
