Last Updated on December 21, 2022
Today, we’ll look at some traditional Irish desserts without alcohol. We’ve even developed an authentic alcohol-free bread pudding recipe you can try!
This dessert is very easy to make. And, it’s the perfect way to use leftover stale bread too!
What Is A Traditional Irish Dessert?
There doesn’t seem to be a ton of information available on traditional Irish desserts history. But, there is no shortage of Irish sweet treat examples!
One thing we can say is that most of these desserts seem to be a result of fusion cuisine. For example, scones are listed as being authentically Irish. However, we know they are also prominent in British cuisine.
So, the examples we will look at today are all authentically Irish, but they may not all have originated there first.
Now, the most famous Irish dessert is arguably Irish coffee. While many classify it as a beverage only, it actually does form part of their dessert menus. It’s a hot drink made from Irish whiskey, coffee, sugar, and whipped cream.
Bread pudding is another traditional Irish dessert with a strong British influence. It is a dessert made with stale or leftover bread that has been soaked in custard. It is then baked to cook the egg-based custard.
Then, you can also have a look at Irish cream brownies, Irish cupcakes, and Porter cake (made with Porter beer and dried fruit).
Some less “authentic” Irish desserts include whiskey truffles, Bailey’s cheesecake, bourbon dessert sauce, and Guinness mousse.
As you can guess, most Irish desserts contain alcohol. But, there are still some traditional Irish desserts without alcohol.
Traditional Irish desserts for kids (traditional Irish desserts without alcohol)
Luckily, there are some kid-friendly Irish dessert options. They don’t contain any alcohol. And they can even form part of our “traditional Irish desserts without alcohol” list below.
Some great Irish cakes you can make for kids’ parties include tea cakes and Irish apple cakes.
You can also make an authentic Irish apple pie, which is packed with crunchy, soft, and juicy textures all at once.
Then, you can also make some Shamrock shakes (green milkshakes). The kids will love these! And all they really are is green colored vanilla milkshake!
What are some traditional Irish desserts without alcohol?
Now, moving on to some other traditional Irish desserts without alcohol. These are also obviously suitable for kids. However, not all kids will love these. They generally have more complex flavors and textures which kids may be sensitive to.
Scones are well-known Irish treats. They are more considered a snack because of how they can be served. When served next to stews, they are an accompaniment. When served with whipped cream, syrups, and fresh fruit, they are classified as a dessert.
Then, you can also make soda bread pudding. This is a type of bread and butter pudding made with delicious soda bread (instead of French bread).
Yellowman is another alcohol-free Irish dessert that is similar to honeycomb. But, the ingredients used to make it varies slightly.
And finally, you can also make Barmbrack. This is a raisin-filled bread that is soaked in tea. Once finished, it gets a delicious honey-butter sauce over it.
What You Will Need For Irish Bread Pudding Without Alcohol
Ingredients
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can of evaporated milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 3/4 cup caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 10 cups bread, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3/4 cup raisins
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Plastic or saran wrap
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Non-stick cooking spray
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the bread pudding custard
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup runny caramel sauce, heavy cream, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Mix the ingredients very well until you have a uniform mixture.
Step 2: Soak the bread
Next, add the cubed bread to the custard base. Mix the bread in well so it is completely coated in custard.
Cover the bowl with plastic or saran wrap and store it inside the fridge for about 30 minutes. The bread should soak up the custard.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 360ºF (180ºC). Then, spray the baking dish with non-stick cooking or baking spray.
Step 3: Assemble and bake the Irish bread pudding
Once the bread has been soaking for 30 minutes, you can remove it from the fridge. Stir in 1/2 cup raisins.
Pour the mixture into your lined baking dish. Make sure that the top is completely level. Sprinkle the remaining raisins over the surface.
Bake the bread pudding for about 35 minutes. Once baked, remove it from the oven and serve it immediately.
Expert Tips And Tricks
- You can also make your own caramel sauce at home if you’d like. But, we prefer just buying some from the store to save a ton of time and effort.
- If your caramel sauce is too thick to use as-is, heat it slightly in the microwave and thin it down with some water.
- The best bread to use for this recipe is French bread, better known as a baguette. If you don’t have baguettes, you can use any type of white bread you can find. Make sure the bread is a soft type. Dense bread loaves (like rye or gluten-free bread) cannot absorb the custard as well.
- You can also divide this recipe into a couple of ramekins. They work great for individual portions. The amount of ramekins you will need depends on the size of your ramekins at home.
- This is one of those traditional Irish desserts without alcohol that needs to be served warm. It won’t be nearly as good cold. So, if you do happen to store any leftovers, make sure to reheat the pudding in the oven before serving it again.
Preparations Times And Servings
Preparation Times | Baking Times | Servings |
40 minutes | 35 minutes | 4-6 |
Wrapping Things Up – A Comprehensive Guide To Traditional Irish Desserts Without Alcohol
We hope that you enjoyed our article on traditional Irish desserts without alcohol. And, if you give this recipe a try, let us know how it went in the comments below!
Traditional Irish Desserts Without Alcohol With Easy Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Plastic or saran wrap
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Non-stick cooking spray
Ingredients
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can of evaporated milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 3/4 cup caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 10 cups bread, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3/4 cup raisins
Instructions
- Make the bread pudding custardIn a large mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup runny caramel sauce, heavy cream, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.Mix the ingredients very well until you have a uniform mixture.1 cup caramel sauce, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 can of evaporated milk, 2 large eggs, beaten, 3/4 cup caster sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Soak the breadNext, add the cubed bread to the custard base. Mix the bread in well so it is completely coated in custard.Cover the bowl with plastic or saran wrap and store it inside the fridge for about 30 minutes. The bread should soak up the custard.Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 360ºF (180ºC). Then, spray the baking dish with non-stick cooking or baking spray.10 cups bread, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces
- Assemble and bake the Irish bread puddingOnce the bread has been soaking for 30 minutes, you can remove it from the fridge. Stir in 1/2 cup raisins.Pour the mixture into your lined baking dish. Make sure that the top is completely level. Sprinkle the remaining raisins over the surface.Bake the bread pudding for about 35 minutes. Once baked, remove it from the oven and serve it immediately.3/4 cup raisins