Description
This Easy Bread Pudding is a cozy, classic dessert made from simple ingredients like day-old bread, eggs, milk, and warm spices. It bakes into a golden, custardy treat with soft centers and crisp edges, topped optionally with a luscious vanilla sauce. Perfect for brunches, holiday tables, or casual weeknight desserts—this comforting dish is as versatile as it is satisfying.
Ingredients
6 cups day-old bread, cubed
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
0.75 cup granulated sugar
0.25 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
0.25 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
0.5 cup unsalted butter
0.5 cup heavy cream
0.5 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Fresh raspberries
Powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cut day-old bread into 1-inch cubes. If not stale, dry in oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, both sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Add bread cubes to the custard mixture. Gently stir and let soak for 20–30 minutes.
5. Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish and spread evenly. Drizzle melted butter over the top.
6. Bake for 45–50 minutes or until golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
7. For the vanilla sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in cream and sugar, then simmer 4–5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and cool slightly.
8. Let bread pudding cool for 10–15 minutes. Serve warm with sauce, powdered sugar, and berries if desired.
Notes
Use bread like brioche or challah for best texture.
Let the mixture soak at least 20 minutes for full flavor.
If making ahead, refrigerate overnight and bake fresh the next day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: bread pudding, classic dessert, easy pudding, vanilla sauce