Waffle and Sausage Bread Pudding

What do you get when you cross a sweet breakfast food with a savory breakfast food? A dish that can be made in advance and tastes AMAZING? Why… my Waffle and Sausage Bread Pudding, of course 🙂

I found the original recipe for Maple Bacon Waffle Bread Pudding on Noblepig and then adapted it to suit my preferences, and the menu I had planned for Christmas morning. The results were completely delicious and a huge hit with family and friends. It can be made in a day or two in advance of baking and serving so it’s also a hostesses best friend.

Imagine this as your breakfast casserole that will help ring in the new year! If you ask me, there is no more delicious way to start 2014!

WAFFLE AND SAUSAGE BREAD PUDDING    {PRINT THIS RECIPE}

8 cups 1″ waffle pieces (either frozen or homemade) I made homemade Belgium waffles.
6 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups 2% milk
1 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 lb. pork breakfast sausage, cooked and cut into 1″ pieces
additional maple syrup for serving

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Place the waffle pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes, until super crisp.
-In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, cream, butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt.
-Place the crisp waffle pieces in a 9×13 baking dish and carefully pour the egg mixture over the waffle pieces. Gently and carefully press the waffles down into the egg mixture.
-Top the waffles evenly with the breakfast sausage.
-Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to two days in advance of when you’re going to bake and serve.
-Allow the casserole to come to room temperature for at lease 30 minutes before baking.
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Bake the casserole, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for 15 minutes.
-Serve warm with additional maple syrup if desired.

I thought the colors of this custom coffee mug I’d painted would coordinate nicely with colors of the waffle bread pudding and I hope you’ll agree 🙂

If there is ever anything I can paint for you, please contact me. I can work from any description or photo you send my way. Custom orders are always welcome! Kudos Kitchen By Reneé  ~ Where food and art collide on a regular basis! Until we eat again,