Just Desserts
Given my Thanksgiving recap, you might think I was trying to win my way out of the doghouse with Pea Daddy for some hypothetical reason, such as publicly hinting that he would even entertain the notion of buying Star Wars cookie cutters or complaining that he spent twenty minutes too long in the old man store yesterday. Hypothetically.
You might also believe I am in trouble based on our sleeping arrangements, namely me on the living room floor. My back has been aggravating me again, and since Pea Daddy has yet to do me a solid and order a Westin Heavenly Bed, I’m choosing to sleep on an extra firm surface once a week to preclude the use of narcotics this Christmas. It’s a fine arrangement until Lulu comes downstairs at 6:30 a.m., flicks on the light and announces, “Mom!!! Get up! I have a schedule.”
At least someone does. I’m still in my pajamas.
I might further convince you that I have major sucking up to do by telling you about the desserts I made for Thanksgiving.
The obvious choice was Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls.
On the side, some Cool Whip was supplied by our hostess.
And consumed almost entirely by Lulu.
The not-so-obvious choice was bread pudding. Pea Daddy loves it.
I do not.
Bread, while delicious, is not dessert. But that fateful night that Ashley and I sat watching Throwdown, after a four-day baking binge, blurry-eyed, burnt-fingered and drunk on pastry flour and Earth Balance, I saw Bobby Flay make Pumpkin Bread Pudding and I knew it must be mine. Or Pea Daddy’s. In other words, a “get-out-of-jail free” card for me.
Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
Go directly to the kitchen and make this bread pudding.
Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Whiskey Vanilla Cream Sauce
Original recipe inspired by Bobby Flay’s Pumpkin Bread Pudding and Pioneer Woman’s Whiskey Maple Cream Sauce
Bread Pudding:
- 1 loaf Pumpkin Bread with White Chocolate Chips, cubed
- 4 oz. silken tofu (firm or extra firm)
- 2 c. non-dairy or organic milk
- 1/2 c. canned pumpkin
- 1/2 c. organic sugar
- ½ t. vanilla extract
- 1 t. cinnamon
Whiskey Vanilla Cream Sauce
-
- 2/3 c. non-dairy or organic milk
- 1/2 c. organic sugar
- 1 T. cornstarch
- 1 t. vanilla extract
- 1 T. whiskey
For bread pudding, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cube bread and place in an 9×11 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
In a blender, combine tofu, milk, pumpkin, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.
Blend until smooth.
Pour mixture over cubed pumpkin bread.
Bake immediately for 50-60 minutes, or refrigerate overnight or until ready to bake.
For whiskey vanilla cream sauce, combine milk and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly.
When mixture is starting to come to a boil, lower heat, remove a few spoonfuls and stir into a small bowl containing the cornstarch.
When the cornstarch mixture is uniform, add it back to the pot and return the milk mixture to a boil.
Once it has thickened, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and whiskey.
Transfer sauce to a serving dish and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
To serve, dish up a slice of warm bread pudding,
drizzle with whiskey vanilla cream sauce,
and know all is forgiven.
Now I’ve just got to find something worth using my free pass for. I better hurry, because the leftovers are dwindling.
And I’ve got a schedule.
Ahahaha, I love that Lulu has a “schedule”
I think she and I would be the best of friends!
How do you have a schedule at 3 years old?!?
I made a simple bread pudding the other day with chocolate chips that I thought was amazing, but this takes to a whole ‘nother level! Can you really taste the whiskey? Because I’d have to skip that sauce… me and whiskey have a bad history… the first time I ever had hard liquor at the ripe old age of 15, Jack Daniel’s, I threw up so hard I burst capillaries in my face and had purple dots all over my face for a week! So needless to say, whiskey and I do not get along.
Oh, and sorry for the TMI, but I had to tell that story!
Oh you could skip the whiskey, for sure. Or use rum…
Ahhhh… now THAT is much more my style!
I’m SO impressed with this recipe. Just by seeing the photo, I can tell the texture is perfect. I know for a fact this would be a top 5 favorite dessert ever. You really outdid yourself this Thanksgiving!! I also love that you could make this with zucchini bread, banana bread, or whatever. It would all be delicious. The cool whip photos are awesome. Lulu knows where it’s at. Yum! The doughball photo is fabulous. Great dept of field.
Aww, thanks Ash. Means so much coming from you
I’ve never even tasted bread pudding before. I think the name was enough to gross me out for some reason, but after looking at your pictures and reading The Pioneer Woman’s plea to make her Whiskey Maple Cream Sauce I might just have to take a leap of faith and make some…
Yes, at least make the sauce
Gotta love Libby’s
She makes EVERYTHING better– boo to Whole Foods brand pumpkin!!
Can I just say ALL of the thanksgiving entrees you’ve made have look SO, SO yummy, wish I could’ve been invited to your thanksgiving! And I’m SO bookmarking this pumpkin bread-puddin’ recipe for the future
Thank you! It really was a delicious holiday!
I love the photo of Lulu with her hand on her hip!!
Um, I do believe that clock in the background says 7:53 not 6:30!
Heehee, just teasing! 
It felt like about 4:53.
I hate bread pudding, but that whiskey sauce drizzled so glossy like over the bread just pulls me in. And it’s late, and a snack sounds nice, and Iv’e never made anything bad from you, so I think I’ll try it.
I should just bring you a piece
Would it be okay if I just take a spoon to the whiskey cream sauce, Lulu style?? Drool…
Nuff said…
And you know how I feel about Cool Whip!!!
It’d be faster to just pour the whiskey cream sauce in a glass. Not that I would know or anything…
The pictures of Lulu with the Cool Whip made my day. It makes me so proud to know that another generation will be following in my whipped-topping-loving footsteps.
The picture of the dough balls looks amazing, by the way!!
And there might be a new dough ball variety coming soon. I know you’re excited Gabriela…
I love cool whip : ) I used to eat it all the time.
Bread pudding looks great! We almost made some pumpkin bread pudding for our older sister because she loves it…hmm, just might now!! YUMMMY!
~
Michelle
I like Cool Whip too. How can something so wrong taste so right?
I love bread pudding! I can only imagine how delicious pumpkin bread pudding would taste!
ever since the throwdown i havae been wanting to make pumpkin bread pudding, your version looks great!
Ah, so Bobby “inspires” you too. I wrote “Booby” at first, which really is funnier.
I absolutely love bread pudding – I am definitely bringint this to Christmas!!!
So cool!! I watched the Throwdown too and loved the idea of making bread pudding using pumpkin bread. So thankful you made a vegan version, thank you Mama Pea!
Ana
Ps: and I agree with you, bread is not dessert in my book either. However, I love pumpkin and for some reason the pumpkin bread pudding idea seemed really fun, and delicious!
The pumpkin bread I think is what saves it. And the whiskey, of course.
Mama Pea, you are magical. You have definitely found your amazing gift (not that you only have one, clearly)!
Wow, thanks!
LuLu and I probably look very similar with our tubs of Cool Whip and a spoon. You see, as good as the Bread Pudding and Dough Balls sound, I could probably be just as content with a tub of cool whip. LuLu and I are just easy to please.
She wasn’t stopping until it was gone either. She was clutching that tub like it was a newborn baby.
This looks heavenly! I too have issues with bread pudding, but this looks good enough to try!
You have issues with bread pudding. That phrase is hilarious.
I too made that bread pudding for thanksgiving! (minus the adaptations). Words cannot describe its level of deliciousness! The hardest part was keeping my family (and me!) from eating the freshly baked pumpkin bread before it became bread pudding!
I saved mine for about four days. I had to hide it.
Oh my God….must have pumpkin bread pudding.
Let’s be honest, anything drizzled in a whiskey sauce is going to save the day! It looks delicious. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
So very true. And I have tested that theory multiple times this weekend.
my boyfriend likes bread pudding, and pumpkin . . . and occasionally I also get in trouble, by posting pictures of his odd elton john meets liza minnelli hair style. I think I’ll bookmark this post.
Off to search your blog…
This looks gooood! Never made bread pudding before, you just gave me a reason to. Plus your recipes never fail me !
There’s a first time for everything. Um, I mean, yeah, make this…it’s good.
I’m the same way with Cool Whip… except I keep mine in the freezer and eat it like ice cream.. For some strange reason I think it healthier
I think I should add “make vegan cool whip” to my to-do list. I’m mot sure it can be done.
I was just wondering that. Is that even possible?
I’m willing to find out!
I think Monopoly needs to make a “foodie” or “recipe” version.
“Collect 12 dozen chocolate chip cookie dough balls.”
oh my yumminess. the vanilla cream sauce has me drooling. I think this is a must-make for Christmas this year! I’ve been thinking about something to make to wow everyone – something we don’t usually have on the menu. this is it!
It really was special and a little different from the traditional pies.
Oh my stars. That looks soo good. If you ever need a taste tester, I’m your girl!
I will come to you! Haha 
Seriously??? Your blog is going to make me fat. That looks amazing…and I guess I’ll have to go make the pumpkin bread then. And I do have leftover silken tofu, pumpkin puree, and….bourbon.
I’m not saying eat the whole pan.
A healthy slice doesn’t hurt…
Lulu knows where it’s at. I used to eat the cool whip from the container and skip the dessert too
I am so sorry about your back! I hope you can rest it and feel better soon.
The bread pudding looks good. Maybe some extra whiskey will help the back too.
Now we’re talking!
I’m not usually a bread pudding fan. As in, I typically gag on it. Bread? Good. Pudding? Good. But together? Gag. In thinking about it, though, it is usually because they have a bit of that eggy-custardy taste that I don’t like, so maybe a vegan version would avoid that.
My kids love cool whip too – how can you not? It is like sweet vanilla air….
That’s why I don’t like bread pudding or French toast…that eggy aftertaste. But none here!
White chocolate bread pudding is my absolute most favorite dessert – so I’m sure this would be amazing as well!
I like white chocolate anything. Especially white chocolate.
We need to e-mail again about back issues. What is it like to sit up without pain?
Misery loves company.
Bread pudding is my favorite thing in the whole word. And pumpkin bread is my favorite um… bread
I’ve got around 20 cans of pumpkin here so I THINK i could actually use a few haha
You are in business!
This bread pudding WILL be mine this week. The husband loves bread pudding and loves pumpkin bread and I’ve been kind of a “you know what” the past few days due to a seriously asthmatic 3 year old, a Thanksgiving trip to the ER and not very much rest over the holiday weekend. This will save my “you know what” for sure!!
I have no idea to “what” you are referring.
Holy deliciousness!!!!
So cute that Lulu has a schedule already! The bread pudding recipe looks fabulous and I can see I’ll be stuck making it for hubby soon.
Thanks!
I am so happy you made this. I’ve been looking for a dairy-free/egg-free bread pudding recipe and this looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it.
I think it’s better than the original. But then again, I don’t like eggs.
oh mama pea. we dream of the same things…been DYING to try flay’s dessert since I saw the show….you and me…almost 2 peas in a pod. only my pea is rotten.
ive never made my own bread pudding, and after looking at your recipe, i just dont know why!
also, westin beds are THE best beds. agreed.
Don’t you want one?! (not the bread pudding, the bed) I don’t think I would ever leave my house. Or my bed. Ever.
Funny that you should post this. I actually made a pumpkin bread for Seth’s parents for Thanksgiving. Turns out it didn’t fare too well in the freezing-defrosting process, so it ended up being more like bread pudding that bread. Oops. Yours looks much more delicious than my ball of foil wrapped goo.
That was sweet of you to try, though
Mmmm, dough balls. Er, wait, I mean bread pudding. Actually, i’ve never had bread pudding before. Always wanted to give it a go though.
I also want to bake more dough balls. Obviously this is because I need to procrastinate due to end of projects and exams.
Well, you know, I have three varieties on my next post…
oh my goodness, I NEED this! I’m thinking it will be the perfect Christmas Eve dessert! But I should probably give it a test run before then. Probably 3-4 test runs actually.
YUM!
i’m back.
i know you missed me.
that’s all =)
I did miss you
This looks amazing:) I honestly have never even tried bread pudding, BUT I’ll try anything….well not really but I will try this.
Mama Pea, LOVE your blog. Nothing is better than wit mixed with recipes for baked goods. I am rounding out my last year of law school right now… hoping I my husband and I are as happy as you guys in 10 years:) Your girls are just a riot.
Thank you, Natalie! I hope you are as happy as we are too
And good luck with your 3rd year!
I FINALLY have this sitting in my fridge waiting to be devoured for dessert! I’m so excited. I know, I know….took me long enough. I got a little sugared out with the holidays, so it took a while. But I had a pannettone that needed to be used before it went bad, so it seemed perfect for this!
Gotta question though, can you recommend a recipe for the rest of the silken tofu?
You could throw it in a smoothie! Or blend it with some melted chocolate, refrigerate it and you have instant chocolate mousse.
Hope you enjoy the bread pudding!
Just wanted to say that I watch foodnetwork and Bobby Flay so much that I actually dreamed about him one night. I dreamed I got to work with him and he did a presentation and wanted to know why I wasn’t there and even asked me to dinner and that I was trying to hide the fact that i had a husband and kids so I could go to dinner with him…lol. Way too much Bobby Flay watching.
I did want to ask though, if I don’t have tofu…can I substitute something else? Is the tofu in place of the “eggs”? Thanks!!
I’m pretty sure Bobby Flay is on the list of celebrities I’m allowed to date.
Yes, the tofu is to give a binding effect like eggs, but you could try subbing a flax egg (1 T. ground flax + 2 T. water).
Thanks! I would go to the store and get tofu…but we are having difficulties with the snow and ice here…more the ice than snow. I’ll try that!
That sounds delish. Think I would have to use rum for my sauce though;) Just found your blog, so glad I did!