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This is the best bread pudding recipe and is the ultimate comfort dessert, with a smooth vanilla bean custard that soaks into rich, day-old bread. Warm spices and vanilla enhance the creamy texture, while a crisp, golden crust forms on top. Finished with a homemade creme anglaise sauce and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. This Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce is the perfect comfort food dessert!
I have always been obsessed with bread pudding…especially when it begins to get cold outside. I love this for Christmas Eve or a Christmas dessert. It is so comforting to me and the best thing about it…is that it is so easy to throw together!
I wanted to experiment to see if I could create what I would consider the Bread Bread Pudding Recipe. This is your classic, no-frills bread pudding recipe with a classic vanilla sauce. And it was perfection! The vanilla custard is what soaks into the bread and makes all of the magic happen.
I am going to bread down all of the tips and tricks for making this easy dessert recipe. I have a very popular recipe on Modern Honey for my Salted Caramel Bread Pudding and it is always a hit!
Bread Pudding Ingredients:
What are the simple ingredients you need to make the best bread pudding? You just need stale, day old bread and a homemade vanilla custard and you are good to go! It is one of the easiest desserts to make or throw together when you need to use up some bread.
- Bread: See below for a list of the types of bread to use when making bread pudding. If you want a richer, buttery, sweeter bread pudding, I would reach for brioche or challah. If you want a hearty, crusty bread pudding, reach for French Bread or sourdough bread. I have been using a lot of French bread and sourdough bread lately because it soaks up the custard beautifully!
- Whole Milk: You can also substitute 2% milk for the whole milk
- Heavy Cream
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Butter (melted)
What type of bread should I use when making Bread Pudding:
The type of bread you choose matters. Breads with a sturdy structure and open crumb work best as they soak up custard without turning mushy. Here are a few popular options:
- Brioche: Rich and buttery, it gives the pudding a luxurious texture.
- Challah: Soft and slightly sweet, it balances custard flavors well.
- French Bread: Crisp crust with a tender interior, great for holding up in custard.
- Sourdough Bread: This is a hearty bread that holds up well. It is more tangy so you may want to add 2 Tablespoons more sugar to the custard.
Stale or day-old bread is best because it’s drier and can soak up more custard without becoming overly soft.
If you are in your sourdough bread baking era, this is a great dessert recipe when you want to know what to do with all of your sourdough bread. I found that if I make this homemade bread pudding with my sourdough bread, I like to add a touch more sugar to the custard to compensate. I love the texture of this bread pudding made with sourdough bread!
Why do you use stale bread in bread pudding?
Stale bread acts like a sponge, absorbing the custard without becoming overly soft. Fresh bread, by contrast, may break down too much and create a mushy texture. If your bread isn’t stale, you can dry it in the oven at a low temperature.
How to make the Best Bread Pudding Recipe:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the bread into 1-inch pieces and place in alarge mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Pour egg-milk all over the bread, tossing it gently. Pour into greased 9 x 13 baking pan.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave or heat in a saucepan until melted. Once the butter is melted, pour butter all over bread pudding.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes or until the bread pudding is a light golden brown color and firm.
- Top with homemade vanilla sauce and serve with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream, if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions about making Bread Pudding:
Can I use other types of bread?
Almost any bread works, but sturdy bread with a good crumb will yield the best results.
Why is my bread pudding mushy?
Overly fresh bread or insufficient baking time can lead to mushiness. Ensure your bread is slightly stale and bake until fully set.
Can I make bread pudding in advance?
Yes! Prepare it and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking, or bake it ahead and reheat.
What are toppings for Bread Pudding:
Once the bread is soaked in custard, bake until the pudding is set and golden. Here are popular toppings:
- Sauces: Crème anglaise sauce or easy caramel sauce are super popular.
- Homemade Whipped Cream or Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
- Fruit or Nuts: Fresh berries, sliced bananas, or candied pecans
Storage:
Store bread pudding in the fridge for up to 3 days, tightly covered. Reheat gently in the oven to maintain its texture. You can also freeze bread pudding for up to 2 months; thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to do with extra bread?
Are you wondering what to do with that extra bread that has gone stale or is day old? Here are some recipes for you to try!
More Bread Pudding Recipes:
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Ingredients
- 1 1b. Bread (French, Brioche, Challah, Sourdough) (16 ounces bread, cut into 1" cubes)
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 4 Tablespoons Salted Butter melted)
Vanilla Sauce Recipe:
- https://www.modernhoney.com/vanilla-sauce-for-bread-pudding-creme-anglaise/
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the bread into 1-inch pieces and place in alarge mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Pour egg-milk all over the bread, tossing it gently. Pour into greased 9 x 13 baking pan.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave or heat in a saucepan until melted. Once the butter is melted, pour butter all over bread pudding.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes or until the bread pudding is a light golden brown color and firm.
- Top with homemade vanilla sauce and serve with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream, if desired.
Notes
- Brioche: Rich and buttery, it gives the pudding a luxurious texture.
- Challah: Soft and slightly sweet, it balances custard flavors well.
- French Bread: Crisp crust with a tender interior, great for holding up in custard.
- Sourdough Bread: This is a hearty bread that holds up well. It is more tangy so you may want to add 2 Tablespoons more sugar to the custard.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
In love with this recipe!!! The vanilla sauce on top is sooooo luxurious and the bread pudding soaked up the custard so well. Definitely will be making again over the holidays!