Sweet Tea Bread Pudding with Lemon Curd and Caramel Sauce

Prep: 20 minCook: 45 minmediumSouthern
Sweet Tea Bread Pudding with Lemon Curd and Caramel Sauce

This indulgent bread pudding transforms Hawaiian rolls into a Southern-inspired dessert with layers of tangy lemon curd and sweet tea-infused custard. The unique addition of unsweetened iced tea gives the custard a subtle depth, while spoonfuls of bright lemon curd create pockets of citrusy richness throughout. Topped with a glossy tea-caramel sauce that balances bitter and sweet notes, this dessert is perfect for special occasions or when you want to a classic comfort food. The water bath baking method ensures a silky, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

  • 16 Hawaiian rolls
    brioche or challah1:1comfort

    similar rich, sweet bread

  • ¾ cup unsweetened ice tea
  • 2 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup lemon curd
    orange curd or jam1:1citrus

    different citrus flavor profile

    Full guide →
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened ice tea
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups heavy cream
    half and half1:1lighter

    less rich custard

    Full guide →
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Tear half the rolls into pieces and place in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish

  2. 2

    Mix egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a bowl

  3. 3

    Whisk in heavy cream and ice tea until fully incorporated

  4. 4

    Pour half the custard over the bread pieces

  5. 5

    Press down bread until soaked with custard

  6. 6

    Scatter spoonfuls of lemon curd over the soaked bread

  7. 7

    Add remaining roll pieces on top

  8. 8

    Pour remaining custard over bread, pressing down until soaked

  9. 9

    Place pan in another pan for water bath

  10. 10

    Bake for 45 minutes until golden on top

  11. 11

    Cool for 10 minutes before serving

  12. 12

    For sauce, combine sugar, ice tea, and lemon juice in heavy saucepan over medium heat

  13. 13

    Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until sugar dissolves and starts to color

  14. 14

    Increase heat to high and boil until syrup turns deep amber color

  15. 15

    Remove from heat and carefully pour in cream and salt

  16. 16

    Stir with long-handled wooden spoon, being careful of splashing

  17. 17

    Return to low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened to very thick cream consistency

  18. 18

    Let sauce cool until just warm before serving

Tips

Tip 1

Don't feel obligated to use all the custard - the amount bread absorbs varies depending on the rolls

Tip 2

Watch the caramel carefully as it can burn quickly once it starts turning amber

Tip 3

Use a long-handled spoon when adding cream to caramel to avoid splashing from the hot mixture

Good to Know

Storage

Cover and refrigerate bread pudding for up to 3 days. Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Make Ahead

Bread pudding can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking. Sauce can be made up to 1 week ahead.

Serve With

Serve warm with the tea-caramel sauce drizzled on top. Reheat sauce in microwave for 1 minute on high, stirring until smooth.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Watch caramel carefully to avoid burning - it can go from perfect to burnt very quickly

Watch

Use a water bath to prevent the custard from curdling during baking

Watch

Don't overfill with custard - bread absorption varies and excess will make it soggy

Substitutions

Hawaiian rolls
brioche or challah1:1comfort

similar rich, sweet bread

lemon curd
orange curd or jam1:1citrus

different citrus flavor profile

Full guide →
heavy cream
half and half1:1lighter

less rich custard

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, assemble the bread pudding up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate before baking. The caramel sauce can be made up to a week in advance and reheated when needed.

What if I don't have Hawaiian rolls?

Brioche or challah work excellently as substitutes. Any rich, slightly sweet bread will give similar results to Hawaiian rolls.

How long will leftovers keep?

Cover and refrigerate the bread pudding for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave. The sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 1 week.