Carrabba's Limoncello Bread Pudding Recipe
Carrabba’s Limoncello Bread Pudding is a signature dessert originating from Carrabba's Italian Grill, a well-known chain of restaurants famous for its Italian-American cuisine. This dish is a delightful twist on traditional bread pudding by adding limoncello, a sweet Italian lemon liqueur, which infuses the pudding with a refreshing citrus flavor.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking dish (9x13 inches)
- Oven
- Knife and cutting board (for bread preparation)
- Spatula (for serving)
Ingredients
List of Main Ingredients for Bread Pudding
- 1 loaf of day-old Italian bread cubed
- 4 cups of heavy cream
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of limoncello
- Zest of 1 lemon
Limoncello Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of limoncello
- 1 tablespoon of lemon zest
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Gather all your ingredients listed above. Ensure the Italian bread is cubed and slightly stale, as this helps it absorb the custard mixture better.
Step 2: Make the Custard Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, limoncello, and lemon zest until well combined.
Step 3: Combine Bread and Custard
- In a separate, large bowl, add the cubed Italian bread.
- Pour the custard mixture over the bread, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Gently fold the mixture to avoid breaking the bread cubes, and allow it to sit for about 15-20 minutes so the bread can soak up the custard.
Step 4: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 5: Bake the Bread Pudding
- Grease a baking dish (an 8x8 inch or similar size works well).
- Pour the soaked bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Prepare the Limoncello Sauce
- While the bread pudding is baking, prepare the limoncello sauce:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the limoncello and lemon zest, then bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
- Once the bread pudding is done baking, let it cool for a few minutes.
- Serve warm, drizzled with the limoncello sauce, and if desired, add a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
If you don't have day-old bread, you can use fresh bread instead, but it's best to dry it out slightly first. Cut the fresh bread into cubes and bake them at 250°F (120°C) for about 15-20 minutes to remove some moisture, which will help prevent the pudding from becoming too soggy. Alternatively, using bread that is a bit stale can also work well.