Hero's Bread Pudding Donut

It was certainly a surprise to find a BP donut in this bakery/lunch shop. The donut is so pretty, a tiny bundt cake. Hero says it's "Yesterday’s doughnuts soaked in a mixture of cream, brown sugar and eggs. BAKED in the style of bread pudding in doughnut shapes and topped with vanilla glaze." Well, you can't go wrong with that approach. It reminds me in theory of the BP made with old Krispy Kremes, but it has a wonderful condensed fork and mouth feel. It is not like a cake donut. I'm happy to see that the BP donut is featured on the regular menu.  

Hero is a chain. I went to the Sylvan Heights location.
4013 Charlotte Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
$4.50

Costco Apple Walnut Caramel Bread Pudding

I wish I'd saved the packaging or taken a photo but I think it was by We Take the Cake. I bought it as Costco for maybe $10.99. It was exceptionally delicious - easy to heat, in a compostable package. The apple wasn't strong and the walnuts were plentiful. I loved it, especially with the Bourbon flavored whipped cream from Aldi. I did find a seed hull in almost every serving, but that didn't slow me down or make me any less likely to not eat at least 2 servings each time. Microwaved or oven heated, it was almost magical. 

Shotgun Willie's BBQ Butter Pecan Bread Pudding

Shotgun Willie's BBQ is open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 11 am - 3 pm, so talk about a captive audience if one actually makes it there on the right day at the right time. The restaurant is known for its Texas barbecue, but the day we went there was butter pecan bread pudding made by one of the Willies. You're a Willie, I'm a Willie - we all have a little Willie in us, according to the owner, whose name is not Willie. 

The bread pudding was ok (OK, like this terrible photo). I give it 2.5 forks, and an extra half fork for the fun I had while ordering. I love pecans and walnuts in everything, so that made me happy. However, it was really dense and light on flavor, so I wasn't crazy about it. However, I would be willing to try the next Willie's take on BP if I ever happen by on the right day. I think it was about $6.

Shotgun Willie's
New location coming soon (3/2024)

Ruby Slipper White Chocolate Bread Pudding Pancakes

Ok, the menu planner person and the chefs/cooks at Ruby Slipper and Ruby Sunshine need to be, well I don't slap people so this is just metaphorical, slapped! For those who don't know, this is a compliment. Like if I said someone put their foot in those pancakes. I'm saying that this is the first entry in years and these pancakes deserve that honor. Don't think I haven't had bread pudding in the interim, though I have it less often. And then I forget how to update this site, but that's tangential. All I have to say is get those pancakes. 

I asked for them with the sauce on the side and that directive was not followed, and guess what, I didn't care. My dining companion was charming and engaging, and so were those cakes. I think I responded to her and gave her most of my attention, but I can't guarantee it. Bad Jenifer! I have no idea where bread pudding was in these tasties, and that's OK with me, too. It's worth a trip to [crowded] Hillsboro Village, where you can sit outside, hold up your plate and grin-giggle at the people in line for that pancake place across the street. 

RUBY SUNSHINE - NASHVILLE, TN
1800 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
(629) 210-3060
Monday - Friday: 7:00am-2pm, Weekends: 7:00am-3pm

I think the plate was around $10.

Yellow Porch, Nashville

The Yellow Porch never disappoints. I am so glad I eschewed the sourdough bread on my sandwich for dessert. I was on a business lunch so I was reluctant to ask for the desserts of the day, and I would have been strong if the waiter hadn't said the magic words. I asked the flavor and he said vanilla. I wasn't deterred by the basic. When it arrived, my companion's exceptional nose caught a whiff of bananas. I noticed that the BP was grayish, which is a giveaway for bananas. I saw the nuts, so those that combo of flavor and crunch was a bonus. The sauce and homemade whipped cream were happy-making additions. I hadn't been to the Yellow Porch in years, so I was glad that its quality and ability to surprise have been consistent. Upon review of the menu online, it is considered to be Bananas Foster White Chocolate BP. I didn't taste any white chocolate.

And even better, there was a cute little note on each table imploring diners to wear masks when they were not seated, and each person on staff was compliant. And as people left, the tables AND chairs were sprayed and wiped down. This is another height in the roller coaster of COVID-19 so I was grateful.

Yellow Porch

Price: I was on the company tab, but it was $7

Raisins: No

Sauce:  Delicious caramel

Ice cream: No, but fresh whipped cream

Visited: January 2021

Bavarian Bierhaus, Opry Mills Mall, Nashville, TN

Pretzel Bread Pudding is amazing. Pretzel bread is amazing all by itself, so making it into bread pudding is a double threat, and that it was incredibly tasty  and chewy and raisin-less makes it a triple threat.

Price: $7, served with vanilla ice cream and a caramel-ly vanilla sauce.
http://www.bierhausnashville.com/menu/

Yeast Nashville

Don't worry, I've had bread pudding since last April, just a lot of other stuff as well has been happening. You know, life. Yeast Nashville does the HELL out of yeast products, but I'll stick to cream cheese kolaches and sausage/cheese kolaches at Yeast (both 4 fork worthy), and never get the bread pudding again. The white frosting gives it the sweetness that is absent in the custard. It's white, thick and non-melting, and really more appropriate for a cheap cinnamon roll. The bread is good and the texture was ok, but the lack of flavor even with the apples and berries plus weird icing made for real disappointment.

805 Woodland St #300, Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 678-4592

Peanut Butter and Almond Bread Pudding with Chocolate Sauce, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Seeing BP at a formal luncheon was unexpected, and the
combination was intriguing. I needed it to revive me and get my blood flowing because the Patron Platinum Club room was freezing... I mean seriously, after an hour + of listening the speaker, I had to go outside and warm up before I ate. Anyway, I dug out the first serving of this peanut butter and almond bread pudding and was skeptical because it was mushy inside. I blamed the peanut butter, but it was just not cooked through.

The peanut butter was a novel flavoring, but the slivered almonds added nothing at all - no taste or texture. I didn't bother with the chocolate sauce. I was sad. I have not used 2 forks before now, so take it as 1 fork for the crust and 1 fork for a creative flavor.

Aura Restaurant Bar and Lounge, Nashville, Tennessee - CLOSED

CLOSED - Aura should be called Aaaaah-ruh because it has an incredibly relaxing environment. The owner/head chef is a dedicated bread pudding lover and keeps it on the menu, tweaking flavors now and then.

This serving had as many flavor-note layers as a torte and it was more satisfying. It had currants (you know I preferred those over raisins), a hint of orange, luscious fresh berries, sugared pecans and a praline sauce. That is a lot to have going on at one time, but I celebrate the complexity and boldness!

http://www.auratherestaurant.com/

Price: $6
Raisins: Currants
Sauce: Praline
Ice cream: No
Visited: April 2014

Sunflower Cafe, Nashville, TN

Now I love some texture and unexpected combinations, which seem to
be specialty at this "meatless and three" semi-elegant version of Copper Kettle.  There's no affiliation, they just remind me of one another, but one vegetarian (SC) and the other decidedly not, though veggie friendly (CK).  Sunflower Cafe is tucked among the other tasty treasure troves across the street from One Hundred Oaks Plaza/Mall.

As usual, I went just because a friend told me about the BP.  I could not resist (as if I ever do), a restaurant that had the courage to mix chocolate, mango AND coconut.  I can't imagine there are so many bread pudding and coconut fans as to make this a permanent part of any menu, but I'm happy to be wrong on this one.  It was... pretty good.  I imagine that it was lacking the fat components that would make it a 4-fork.  I generally don't expect to feel virtuous when eating BP, and appreciated the flavors that made it feel a little sinful.

Price: I can't remember and it seems to be off the regular menu,but no dessert is over $6.75
Raisins: No
Sauce: Yes, vanilla
Ice cream: No
Visited: April 2013

http://www.sunflowercafenashville.com/

Boscos, Nashville, TN

My photo wasn't good so I'll just review.  I ordered the flavor of the day, Apple Caramel White Chocolate.  It was decent.  Firm enough, but like the creme brulee at Colonel Sanders in Washington, DC, that allegedly had different flavors but all tasted the same, I did not detect much apple and tasted no white chocolate essence.  The custard sauce was the lovely vanilla bean flecked variety I drool over, like homemade ice cream before it meets the chemistry of rock salt and ice.  The caramel was indistinct.  It was served with vanilla ice cream, which was superfluous, but made it seem like a better value.  The ice cream did not taste like premium, but it was ok.

Price: 6.99
Raisins: No
Sauce: Caramel and custard
Ice cream: Yes, vanilla
Visited: February 2013

http://www.boscosbeer.com/

Soulshine, Nashville, TN

How in the world did I not know about a place that has a dessert called "smack yo' mama bread pudding?"  I saw the ad in a Nashville Scene yesterday and had to go today.  I didn't really care about what else they had, though I am glad to say that the wheat crust Mississippian pizza was delectable.  I am eating the bread pudding right now, and I couldn't wait to write about it.  Now, I wouldn't smack my mama over it, but it is darned tasty.  A very generous portion and it's basic, bread, sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla.  It was supposed to have sauce but it wasn't included in my to-go bag, and that's just fine.  It's totally lovely and that is strange considering I cannot isolate anything distinctive about it.  I like the texture, the flavor and even the way it looks, as bread pudding can be pretty disgusting in photos, according to my friends. The only complaint would be that I could distinguish bits of bread that hadn't succumbed to the custard, but that's nit-picking.  And at less than $5, it gets an extra thumbs up from me, since I so often pay $8 for less.


Price:  $4.99 (it's the right price for me!)
Raisins:  No
Sauce:  New Orleans style bourbon sauce, but I didn't get any
Ice cream:  No
Visited:  February 2013

South Street, Nashville

South Street is one of my favorite places for the Sausage Basket, if nothing else.  But of course I had to reacquaint myself with the bread pudding since it had been more than a year since I had it last, and I forgot to post about it.  You can see that the presentation is unappetizing, but don't let the looks fool you.  In fact, that's pretty true about bread pudding in general, unless it's firm enough for slicing.  What you see has whipped cream on it, and the Jack Daniels sauce is in the little container above.

It looked to mushy to me so I brought it home, de-raisined it (there were a few near the top) and baked it again at about 400 degrees for what I swear was about 30 minutes.  That caramelized the bread and firmed it up.  It is a basic vanilla, and I enjoyed the custard flavor, like ice cream.  I skipped the sauce, you know, watching my calories.  Parts were almost chewy and I go for texture anytime.  So, what it would have been from the restaurant will remain a supposition until I go back, but I think the extra time in the heat enhanced it greatly.

Price: $6.95 (it was a gift from a friend who wanted me to post about it - thank you CJS)
Raisins: Yes, but easily separated
Sauce:  Jack Daniels
Ice cream: No
Visited: January 2013

Random bread puddings and recipes, including salted caramel

 
This is random photos of BPs that I forgot to notate. I'm going to give myself credit for the one of the right, a kale savory BP, which might be this recipe, with butternut squash and mushrooms.  I have no clue why I would have made it.  The one of the bottom right is one I had in St. Louis, based on the date, but I can't remember from where.  Basically, this is a pointless post. Some may be repeats, and yes, I know the top photo is terrible, but I feel moved to post any that I take.  I should feel moved to take photography classes!  Happy New Year.

What I don't have a photo of is the fantastic BP I made for my birthday, a salted caramel bread pudding that was low fat and all that.  I used Kroger's sweet Italian bread.  After making the sauce with rum, instead of bourbon, I decided to make that my "liquored up" version that I had on the side.  It was too strong for me.  I made an alcohol free version for pouring on the BP.  The guests raved - 4 forks for me!

Holland House, Nashville

Holland House is known for its potables, but it should be known for it's bread pudding!  I can't believe I didn't find it on any of the lists.  I just happened to stop in and saw it on the menu.  Again, it reminded me why I'd rather have a forkful of bread pudding than a drink any day.  And why my tour of bread puddings this month has got to end!  I'm on a roll and don't want to gain a roll.

This was elegant in name, execution and taste.  Warm cocoa nib bread pudding featuring chocolate chunks, walnuts, Nutella brittle, chantilly cream and chocolate ganache.  It was a mouthful to read and a mouthful of pleasure to taste.  Please forgive the to-go box for not giving it the setting that it deserves.  Whoa - this was not some thrown together dessert with bits of whatever the cook had handy.  This BP is at a whole other level, and I again had to up the fork-quotient to give it its due.  My goodness, the description can't even do justice to the complexity of textures and tastes that abounded in this treat, but it's a start.  It made me wish I was a real food writer. Nothing in it was off-balance, it was a new combination of wonderfulness with each forkful.  Ahhhh.


Price: 8.00 (well worth it, unlike Chappy's)
Raisins: No
Sauce:  Chantilly creme, chocolate ganache
Ice cream: No
Visited: October 2012


Holland House Bar and Refuge

Copper Kettle, Nashville

Ok, it might look unappetizing, but this here reminded me of why bread pudding is my drug of choice.  Just think of this, a red velvet bread pudding with Goo Goo Cluster sauce.  Ok, even that might sound unappetizing but the sauce was only the chocolate from the Goo Goo, maybe with the marshmallow, but definitely not the peanuts.  It's the Goo Goo Cluster 100 year anniversary and Copper Kettle's dessert chef is making sure she pays homage.  Copper Kettle, by the way, always has bread pudding (unlike these sometimey places like Silo), with a new flavor each time.

I got the last serving, and was moved to share a taste with an extremely disappointed woman who wanted some also.  She had better be glad she had the first bite because if I had tasted it first, I would not have offered.  I must say I was doubting that this could taste good.  I was blown away.  Now, the red velvet flavor was very subtle, though the color kept reminding me.  The texture, sweetness and drizzle of chocolate Goo Goo were marvelous.  I am so glad I only got an order of their tasty greens and then went right into the dessert.  It was a balance I highly recommend.


Price:  3.99 (a total bargain)
Raisins:  No
Sauce:  Goo Goo Cluster
Ice cream:  No
Visited:  October


Copper Kettle

Chappy's, Nashville

I was wandering one night, with a good book and nowhere to land, and found Chappy's listed on another bread pudding site.  I had been here for food years before, but it didn't leave a lasting impression.  This time it did as the hostess was ever so solicitous and set me up in the cute little sitting area to enjoy my dessert as if I had a private lounge.  What she brought out was yet another strange manifestation of BP, more like a bread pudding stew.  The dessert chef made the bread pudding, then chopped it into small cubes, which were then drenched in the sauce.  When the hostess saw the quizzical look on my face, she asked how it was.  I told her the BP was delicious, but that I was surprised by the presentation.  She said she had them add extra sauce (she had no way of knowing I am do not like an excess of sauce, and usually eschew sauce, on any food).  In short, this deconstructed traditional bread pudding with praline sauce tasted lovely, but fell short on the soupy plating.

Price: 7.95 (pricey, but thankfully that was all that I ordered)
Raisins: No
Sauce: Praline
Ice cream: No
Visited: October 2012

Chappy's on Church

Urban Grub, Nashville

The problem with establishing a rating system is that one day you are introduced to an entry that is either more fabulous than you could have imagined or the opposite.  This was definitely the former.  I want to give special credit/bonus points/a gold star to Urban Grill, a new restaurant with an inspired dessert chef named Megan.  I went last night and decided after the first bite to compromise my own system by anointing the cornbread-peach bread pudding with five forks (more would be excessive though deserved)!  It was pure bliss, that square of exquisitely sweetened cornbread mixture topped with an in-season peach (I can't give the exact title because the menu isn't online).  The subtle grit of the cornbread took me and my food spirit to a whole new place and my companions gave me a moment of silence to savor and bring my attention back to the table.  A food memory was born that will call me for a repeat more often than I can respond.  I realize that's a mixed metaphor, but know that I am absolutely ga-ga over this treasure and cannot find the words to do it justice. My fear is that it will be a seasonal dish and, like the chocolate version at Wild Hare, may not be seen again.  Just keep changing the fruit!  Or ignore the fruit!

The buttermilk-based sauce was totally unnecessary, good enough, but like one accessory too many on a perfect outfit.  I'm sorry the photo doesn't do it justice but that restaurant is really dark inside and out.  I don't think they're hiding anything, it's about ambiance.

PS - See Laura, I was telling the truth about the Bread Pudding Blog.  And I want to share the crumbs if there's ever a portion of this ambrosia left!  You have my card.


Price: 8.00
Raisins: No
Sauce: Buttermilk
Ice cream: No
Visited: May 2012

Urban Grub
2506 12th Avenue, South, Nashville, TN
and on Facebook

BB Kings, Nashville, TN

I went to BB Kings for the music and the greens, and was I feeling like God was smiling when I saw that there was banana bread pudding on the menu.  Now, I will recommend the greens with their smoky meat seasoning all by themselves, but if you are in a party of at least two, try the BP.

This brick was very dense, and had a nice proportion of bananas, though as is becoming quite common, they seemed to have been devoid of innate flavor.  The banana slice accessories were ripe.  And the bourbon caramel sauce could have been served by itself.  I'm giving this a low four, only because it was slightly dry.  And I give myself a high four for sharing with a co-bar-sitter and for tossing the remaining half because I really didn't need to have the last wedge.


Price: $8
Raisins: No
Sauce: Bourbon caramel is what I would call it
Ice cream: No
Visited:\ March 2012


BB King's Restaurant and Blues

Copper Kettle, Nashville, TN

I ate this so fast I didn't take a photo.  I did not savor it, but it was wonderful.  Maybe next time.  I don't even know what flavor it was, it seemed almost like the cooks threw whatever they had in there.  I saw chocolate, tasted something like a lemon pudding, and had some dried fruit (not raisins).


Price: $3.95 but I had a coupon
Raisins: Nope
Sauce: Nope
Ice cream: Nope
Visited: December 2011

Copper Kettle