Sweet & Simple Comforting Bread Pudding Recipe for Cozy Nights

Warm aromas of cinnamon and vanilla waft through the kitchen as this classic bread pudding elevates simple ingredients into a decadent dessert.

Rich, custardy textures meld with soft bread, creating a nostalgic treat that whispers of home-cooked comfort.

Southern kitchens have long cherished this humble yet luxurious dessert, turning stale bread into a magical culinary creation.

Each spoonful carries memories of grandmother’s love and traditional baking wisdom.

The pudding’s golden-brown surface promises a delightful contrast between crisp edges and silky interior.

Serve this soul-warming dish straight from the oven, and watch as smiles spread around the table.

Get ready to savor a slice of pure, sweet comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 383 kcal

Servings: 9

Bread Pudding Ingredient Essentials with Vanilla Sauce

• Day-Old Bread: Stale bread absorbs custard perfectly and creates rich texture; choose sturdy white or brioche bread for best results.
• Raisins: Adds sweet bursts of flavor; golden or dark raisins work wonderfully; optional but recommended for traditional touch.

• Milk: Creates silky smooth base; whole milk provides richest flavor and creaminess.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Balanced sweetness with caramel undertones; brown sugar adds deeper flavor complexity.
• Eggs: Binding agent that creates luxurious, custardy texture; room temperature eggs mix more smoothly.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and depth; use unsalted butter for better control of recipe's saltiness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic sweetness; pure vanilla extract offers more robust flavor than artificial versions.

• Butter: Creates smooth, rich sauce base; unsalted butter recommended.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers velvety, luxurious sauce consistency; higher fat content ensures silkier texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens sauce; granulated white sugar works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances sauce's depth and aroma; use high-quality pure vanilla for best results.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

Equipment for Grandma’s Bread Pudding Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining custard ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending eggs, milk, and sugars without lumps.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Greased and ready to hold bread pudding.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for perfect flavor balance.
• Small saucepan: Used for creating creamy vanilla sauce.
• Sharp knife: Helps cube bread evenly.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and pressing bread into custard.

How to Bake Bread Pudding at Home

• Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and give your baking dish a quick butter massage.

• Create A Bread Base

Toss bread chunks into the greased dish and whip up a dreamy custard by blending milk, sugars, eggs, butter, and spices until silky smooth.

• Soak And Rest

Pour the creamy mixture over bread, gently pressing to help it soak up all those delicious flavors. Let it relax for a few minutes.

• Transform In The Oven

Slide the dish into the oven and bake until the top turns golden and the center looks perfectly set, around 45-50 minutes.

• Craft The Vanilla

In a small pan, melt butter and dance in cream, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until the sauce becomes wonderfully thick and glossy.

• Serve With Love

Scoop the warm, custardy pudding into bowls and cascade the velvety vanilla sauce on top. Enjoy immediately!

Ideas to Elevate Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding

• Creamy Comfort Secrets
• Choose day-old bread like challah, brioche, or French bread for maximum custardy absorption and rich texture.
• Allow bread to soak in custard mixture for 15-20 minutes before baking to ensure deeper flavor penetration and incredibly soft results.
• Gently press bread cubes into custard to help them soak evenly, creating a smooth, consistent pudding without dry patches.
• Swap whole milk with skim milk, use egg whites instead of whole eggs, and reduce sugar for a lighter version without compromising taste.
• Replace regular bread with gluten-free bread or challah to make this dessert celiac-friendly and equally delicious.

How to Serve Bread Pudding with Style

• Cozy Comfort Companion: Pair this bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast that melts perfectly into the warm dessert.
• Festive Breakfast Twist: Transform leftovers into a morning treat by reheating individual portions and topping with fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Serve in individual ramekins garnished with a sprig of mint and a delicate drizzle of caramel sauce for an upscale dinner party feel.
• Seasonal Flavor Boost: Experiment with seasonal additions like chopped apples in autumn or fresh peaches during summer to give the classic recipe a vibrant update.

Tips to Store Bread Pudding

• Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container within the refrigerator, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or use a sealed container to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or place the entire dish in a preheated oven at 325F for 10-15 minutes. This method helps restore the pudding's original soft texture and revives its delicious warmth.
• Keep vanilla sauce separately in a sealed glass jar inside the refrigerator for up to one week. Gently reheat by whisking in a small saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of cream if the consistency becomes too thick.
• Bread pudding can be frozen for up to 2 months when wrapped securely in freezer-safe plastic wrap and placed in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain its original creamy texture and delightful flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various bread types like challah, brioche, or even day-old French bread. Stale or slightly dry bread works best as it absorbs the custard more effectively.

• Is it necessary to use both brown and white sugar?

While you can use just one type of sugar, the combination provides a deeper, more complex sweetness. Brown sugar adds a subtle caramel-like flavor that enhances the overall taste of the bread pudding.

• Can I make this recipe without raisins?

Absolutely! The raisins are optional. If you don’t like raisins, you can skip them entirely or substitute with other mix-ins like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried cranberries.

• How do I know when the bread pudding is fully cooked?

The bread pudding is done when the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean, and the edges should be slightly puffed up.

Comforting Bread Pudding

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Grandma’s old-fashioned bread pudding with vanilla sauce emerges as a nostalgic dessert cherishing family traditions. Classic comfort blends sweet custard and warm spices, promising comfort in each delightful spoonful you savor.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large eggs
• 6 cups (350g) bread, cubed (French bread, brioche, or challah)
• 4 cups (960ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• ½ cup (80g) raisins (optional)
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Bread Base: Cube bread into uniform pieces and spread evenly across the greased baking dish, creating a foundational layer.
3. Custard Creation: Whisk milk, white and brown sugars, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
4. Bread Saturation: Pour custard over bread cubes, gently pressing to ensure complete absorption, then strategically distribute raisins throughout the mixture.
5. Resting Phase: Allow pudding to rest 10-15 minutes, enabling bread to soak up the rich custard flavors and develop depth.
6. Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center sets with a gentle firmness.
7. Vanilla Sauce Preparation: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the sauce reaches a luxurious, silky consistency.
8. Serving Finale: Remove pudding from oven, cool briefly, then slice and serve with a generous drizzle of warm vanilla sauce, celebrating a classic dessert that embodies comfort and tradition.

Notes

• Select Bread Carefully: Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption and texture, preventing soggy or overly wet pudding.
• Prevent Dry Edges: Cover baking dish with foil during initial baking to maintain moisture and prevent hard, crusty edges.
• Control Custard Consistency: Gently press bread cubes into custard to ensure even saturation, avoiding dry spots or uneven texture.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with adding chopped nuts, different spices like cardamom, or alternative dried fruits to personalize the classic recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 383
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 183mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 109mg