Bread Puddingis a timeless dessert that has delighted taste buds for generations. Made from humble ingredients like milk, eggs, and day-old bread, this dessert offers a rich and comforting experience like no other.

clear baking dish of squares of bread pudding with powdered sugar atop and served onto classic china dishes on the side

Bread pudding has a nostalgic and comforting appeal. Its humble origins as a way to use up leftover bread evoke feelings of home and tradition.

It’s an excellent way to reduce food waste by repurposing day-old or stale bread that might otherwise be discarded.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Uses common ingredients for a richly flavored dessert.
Easy recipe, perfect for beginners or busy cooks.
Infused with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla for a warm taste.
Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert; delicious warm or chilled.

clear baking dish of squares of bread pudding with powdered sugar atop

Recipe Ingredients

Whole Milk: Rich and creamy whole milk provide the velvety base that makes our dessert indulgently smooth.
Eggs: Serve as the essential binder, lending structure and a golden richness to our creation.
Day-Old Bread Cubes: Resurrecting yesterday’s bread, 1-inch bread cubes offer a rustic, satisfying texture to elevate our pudding.
Brown Sugar: Adds both depth and sweetness, readily adjustable to cater to your unique taste preferences. Check this out if you need yourbrown sugar to soften up
Ground Cinnamon: A teaspoon of ground cinnamon infuses our dessert with a warm, comforting spice.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Elevating the flavor profile, vanilla extract adds a fragrant and sweet dimension, enhancing the overall taste.
Salt: Salt subtly balances and harmonizes the flavors, ensuring that every bite is perfectly seasoned.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Popular Substitutions and Variations

Bread Variations: While traditional bread pudding calls for plain white bread, you can experiment with different types of bread. Brioche,challah, or eveneasy croissantscan add a rich and buttery dimension to your pudding.
Milk Choices: Don’t hesitate to use alternative milk options like almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk if you have dietary restrictions or preferences. Just ensure that the milk you choose complements the other flavors in the recipe.
Flavor Enhancements: Get creative with flavor by adding ingredients like raisins, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or even chocolate chips. These additions can provide extra texture and taste to your bread pudding.

How To Make Bread Pudding

Step #1.Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan with butter or non-stick spray for easy removal later.

Step #2.Spread the bread cubes evenly in the greased pan.

Step #3.In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until you have a smooth mixture.

Step #4.Pour the wet mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring all the bread pieces are soaked. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes, then bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set. Cool slightly before serving, and enjoy warm or cold to your liking.

clear baking dish of squares of bread pudding with powdered sugar atop and served onto classic china dishes on the side with caramel on top

Recipe FAQs

What is bread pudding?

Bread pudding is a classic dessert made by combining stale or day-old bread with a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, and flavorings. It’s baked until the bread absorbs the liquid and sets into a delicious, custard-like texture.

Can I use fresh bread for bread pudding?

While it’s traditionally made with stale or slightly stale bread, you can use fresh bread in a pinch. However, using stale bread adds a better texture to the pudding.

Can I make bread pudding ahead of time?

Yes, you can make bread pudding in advance and refrigerate it. It often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have a chance to meld together. Reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.

Expert Tips

Place the bread cubes in the baking dish first, then pour the custard mixture over them. This helps prevent a soggy bottom layer.
Allow the bread to absorb the custard mixture for at least 10-15 minutes before baking.This ensures even distribution of flavors and a creamy texture.
Customize your bread pudding byadding ingredients like raisins, dried fruits, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts.Just ensure they’re evenly distributed.
To check if the pudding is done, insert a knife or skewer into the center. It should come out clean, with no liquid custard clinging to it.