Photos: How sweet (and savory!): 14 of our favorite bread pudding recipes

This dessert has an almost cake-like texture, with a crunchy pecan topping. A thick, sweet rum sauce finishes it off.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Chock full of fresh seasonal veggies and tied together with creamy Gruyere.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Made with a caramel sauce and a crème anglaise.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Fresh corn kernels are cooked in brown butter for this rich, heady combination.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

This bread pudding is rich with thick, almost pudding-like custard and deep chocolate flavor.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Classic flavors.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

What makes this bread pudding stand out? Goat cheese, shallots, dandelion greens -- and bacon.  (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

You make this one in the slow cooker.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Made with Challah bread.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Served alongside a simple salad, it makes the perfect meal.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

This pudding was adapted from Thomas Keller cookbook, “Ad Hoc at Home.”   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

La Boulange sandwiches a rich, not-too-sweet croissant bread pudding between two crumbly short dough crusts.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

You’ll need lots of Irish whiskey for this one.  (Iris Schneider / Los Angeles Times)