‘Holiday Hostess Trick’—Just 4 ingredients. I bake this for every gathering because it tastes way fancier than it is.

Prep the pan and bread: Lightly grease a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the pan, pressing them down gently to create a fairly even layer. If the bread feels very soft or fresh, let it sit out on a sheet pan for 20–30 minutes to dry slightly; this helps it soak the caramel without turning mushy.

Make a quick caramel base: In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and 1 cup (200 g) of the sugar. Set over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly and turns a light beige caramel color. You’re not aiming for a dark caramel here—just a deeper, richer cream sauce.

Add the bourbon: Remove the pan from the heat and carefully stir in the bourbon. The mixture may bubble up a bit, so pour slowly and keep stirring. Taste cautiously (it will be hot) and, if desired, add a pinch of salt to sharpen the caramel flavor, though this is optional and not counted as one of the core ingredients.

Soak the bread: Pour the warm bourbon caramel mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down lightly with the back of a spoon or a spatula so the bread absorbs as much liquid as possible. Let the pan sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the caramel.

Add a caramelized top: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar evenly over the top of the soaked bread. This will help create a lightly caramelized, glossy crust as it bakes.

Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the pan, uncovered, for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp in spots and the caramel is bubbling around the edges. The center should feel set when lightly pressed with the back of a spoon.

Cool and slice: Let the pan cool on a rack for at least 20–30 minutes. As it cools, the caramel thickens and the squares firm up, making them easier to cut. Slice into 12 squares (or smaller bite-sized pieces if serving on a dessert buffet) and serve warm or at room temperature.

Because this recipe is intentionally minimal, small changes in the bread or liquor make a noticeable difference. Try using brioche or challah for a softer, almost custardy texture, or a crusty French or Italian loaf if you prefer more chew and structure in the squares. If you’d like to skip alcohol, replace the bourbon with an equal amount of strong brewed coffee or apple cider; you’ll lose the bourbon aroma but gain a different layer of flavor without altering the texture. For a stronger caramel note, swap half of the granulated sugar for light brown sugar, which will deepen both color and flavor. You can also play with shape and serving style: bake in a parchment-lined loaf pan for thicker, taller bars, or double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan if you’re feeding a crowd. Finally, these squares reheat well—warm them briefly in a low oven and, if they seem a bit dry on day two, brush the tops with a spoonful of cream or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce to refresh them.