Best Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 8 cday old challah or brioche bread cut into 1-inch cubes
- 5 tbspbutter melted and slightly cooled
- 5 largeeggs room temperature
- 2 ½ cmilk room temperature
preferably whole milk
- 1 cgranulated sugar
- 1 ½ tspground cinnamon
- ¼ tspnutmeg
- 1 ½ tsppure vanilla extract
- ⅝ cgolden raisins
optional
- ½ cbutter
salted or unsalted
- ½ cgranulated sugar
- ½ cbrown sugar
- ½ cheavy cream
- 2 tsppure vanilla extract
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9x13-inch casserole dish with about 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
- 2
Add the bread cubes to the prepared casserole dish.
- 3
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, cover, and let it sit for about 30 minutes to absorb the custard.
- 4
Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the custard is set and the bread pudding is lightly browned. Let the bread pudding cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes.
- 5
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, and cream. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. It will bubble a lot, so it needs constant stirring. Remove from the heat, and let it cool for 10 minutes before stirring in the vanilla. Be careful it may still bubble up.
- 6
Serve the bread pudding with the warm vanilla sauce poured over the top. Pour on individual slices if you think you might have leftovers.
Best Bread Pudding
Similar Recipes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/217181-best-bread-pudding-with-vanilla-sauce-ddmfs-4x3-3bc10a5bac1a4d398ab2a6ba4814818f.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6637057-efbb8d3d3c2a4a89bdef934b2fefb260.jpg)
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 36 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a classic dessert that's both comforting and incredibly easy to make? This Best Bread Pudding recipe delivers that beloved, old-fashioned flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for any occasion.
Why This Bread Pudding Is Simply The Best
What truly sets this bread pudding recipe apart is its commitment to simple, high-quality ingredients and that luscious vanilla sauce. Using day-old challah or brioche bread creates an exceptionally tender and custardy texture, far superior to ordinary loaves. The rich blend of eggs, milk, sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg ensures every bite is pure comfort, elevated by a generous drizzle of the irresistible five-ingredient vanilla sauce.
What To Expect From This Delicious Dessert
Prepare for a dessert that envelops you in warmth and nostalgia. You'll experience a wonderfully soft, custardy interior with tender bread pieces, all infused with sweet vanilla and gentle spice. The rich, creamy texture from the milk and eggs is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of granulated sugar and the subtle warmth of nutmeg and cinnamon. Topping it all is the truly luscious vanilla sauce, which adds another layer of decadent sweetness and a silky finish, making each spoonful an absolute delight. It's a comforting classic that feels both homemade and incredibly special.
Customization & Variations
This versatile dessert welcomes a few personal touches. If you're not a fan of dried fruit, feel free to omit the golden raisins entirely—the bread pudding is delicious on its own. For a different flavor profile, consider swapping the challah or brioche with other rich, day-old breads like brioche buns or even croissants for an extra luxurious texture. While the specified breads are recommended for their texture, the core recipe is quite forgiving.
Serving & Context
Serve this old-fashioned bread pudding warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside that incredible vanilla sauce. It’s the perfect comforting dessert for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or simply a cozy evening treat, guaranteed to bring smiles.