Bread Pudding Ice Cream

4 servings Prep: 25 m Cook: PT0M Total: 24 h 25 m Intermediate
Bread Pudding Ice Cream
Bread pudding became the crown jewel of New Orleans desserts, transforming day-old French bread into something transcendent with rich custards, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and often a splash of bourbon. Now you can enjoy those same flavors in homemade ice cream with real bread pudding pieces mixed in. Creole cooks elevated this humble dish, making it a restaurant signature across the city. The tradition of bread pudding with whiskey sauce in New Orleans restaurants represents the Creole mastery of taking simple ingredients and creating memorable, soul-warming desserts.

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups vanilla protein shake or whole milk
  • 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
  • 1 tbsp real sugar + 2 tbsp monk fruit/erythritol
  • 1 egg yolk (optional but traditional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp rum extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup bread pudding pieces, diced
  • 2 tbsp raisins (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Mix sweetener blend, xanthan gum, cinnamon, and nutmeg in pint container.
  2. Blend protein shake (or milk) with vanilla extract, rum extract, and egg yolk (if using) until smooth.
  3. Pour the blended mixture into the container with the spice mixture and stir to combine completely.
  4. Freeze for 24 hours minimum until completely solid.
  5. Process on LITE ICE CREAM setting (or according to your ice cream maker instructions). If the mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tbsp liquid and re-spin.
  6. During the final minute of processing, mix in the diced bread pudding pieces and raisins.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I make this without an ice cream maker?

A: This recipe is designed for an ice cream maker with a LITE ICE CREAM setting. Without one, you can freeze the mixture in a shallow pan and stir every 30 minutes for 3-4 hours to break up ice crystals, but the texture won't be quite as smooth.

Q: What if I don't have xanthan gum?

A: Xanthan gum helps create a smoother texture, but you can omit it if needed. The ice cream will be slightly icier but still delicious.

Tips and Techniques

Day-old French bread makes the best bread pudding pieces. And don’t skip the rum extract - it’s what makes this taste like New Orleans!

Ingredient Substitutions

  • vanilla protein shake: whole milk or half-and-half
  • rum extract: bourbon or whiskey
  • monk fruit/erythritol blend: all real sugar

Equipment Needed

  • Ice cream maker with LITE ICE CREAM setting
  • Pint container for freezing
  • Blender

Historical Context

Bread pudding became the crown jewel of New Orleans desserts, transforming day-old French bread into something transcendent. Creole cooks elevated this humble dish with rich custards, warm spices, and often a splash of bourbon, making it a restaurant signature across the city. The tradition of bread pudding with whiskey sauce in New Orleans restaurants represents the Creole mastery of taking simple ingredients and creating memorable, soul-warming desserts.