Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
+6 photos

Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

8 servings
My mom's best bread pudding recipe is rich with milk and eggs and chock-full of raisins. It's delicious served warm with a silky vanilla sauce.

Ingredients

  • whole milk
    3 c
  • white sugar
    1 ½ c
  • butter

    melted

    ¼ c
  • eggs

    beaten

    3
  • light brown sugar
    2 tbsp
  • ground cinnamon
    ½ tsp
  • slices hearty farmhouse-style bread

    toasted and cut into cubes

    10
  • raisins
    1 c
  • whole milk
    1 ¼ c
  • light brown sugar
    ½ c
  • butter

    melted

    2 tbsp
  • egg
    1
  • all-purpose flour
    1 tbsp
  • ground cinnamon
    1 pinch
  • salt
    1 pinch
  • vanilla extract
    1 tbsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

    Step 1
  2. 2

    For bread pudding, whisk together milk, sugar, melted butter, eggs, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    Gently stir in bread cubes and raisins.

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Lightly spoon mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven until browned and set in the middle, 50 to 55 minutes; cover the dish with foil after 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Let pudding stand for 10 minutes before serving.

    Step 4
  5. 5

    For vanilla sauce, whisk together milk, brown sugar, butter, egg, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a heavy saucepan until smooth.

    Step 5
  6. 6

    Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract.

    Step 6
  7. 7

    Pour sauce over warm bread pudding or serve on the side in a bowl.

    Step 7
Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
+6

Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

85 min8 servings546 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving a dessert that wraps you in a warm, comforting hug? This Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce, a beloved family recipe, delivers that classic, cozy feeling with every single spoonful. It’s a truly special treat, rich in flavor and wonderfully satisfying.

Why This Recipe Works

The magic in this bread pudding lies in its harmonious balance of simple, quality ingredients. The base, built from a generous amount of whole milk and beaten eggs, creates an incredibly rich and custardy interior. Using hearty farmhouse-style bread, toasted and cubed, ensures the pudding absorbs all that luscious custard without turning mushy, while raisins add bursts of sweetness and texture. It's the kind of dessert that feels both indulgent and nostalgically familiar.

What to Expect

Prepare yourself for a warm, tender bread pudding with a wonderfully custardy center. You’ll taste the deep sweetness from the white and light brown sugars, perfectly complemented by the subtle warmth of ground cinnamon. Each bite offers the plump chew of raisins against the soft, moist bread. Drizzled generously with the silky, aromatic vanilla sauce, this dessert transforms into a luxurious experience, comforting your soul with its classic flavors and delightful textures.

Customization & Variations

This recipe is beautifully versatile. If raisins aren't your favorite, you can swap them for other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dried apricots. Feel free to adjust the amount of ground cinnamon to your liking, or even add a pinch of nutmeg for a slightly different spice profile. While hearty farmhouse-style bread is recommended, you could experiment with other robust breads like challah or brioche, ensuring they are toasted to prevent sogginess.

Serving & Context

This Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce is the ultimate dessert for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or simply a cozy evening in. Serve it warm, allowing the silky vanilla sauce to melt decadently over each portion, creating an irresistible finish.

Frequently Asked Questions