Old-fashioned bread pudding is a comforting dessert made from stale bread, milk, eggs, sugar, and warm spices. It’s perfect for using up leftover bread and has a rich, custardy texture with a golden, slightly crispy top.
Ingredients (for about 6 servings)
For the bread pudding:
- 4 cups stale bread (cubed, any type of bread works, like white or French)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup raisins or currants (optional)
For the sauce (optional):
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the bread:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cube the stale bread into bite-sized pieces and place them into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Make the custard:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the cubed bread, pressing the bread down gently to help it soak up the liquid. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes so the bread absorbs the custard.
3️⃣ Add butter and raisins (optional):
- Drizzle the melted butter over the soaked bread. If you’re using raisins or currants, sprinkle them over the top of the bread pudding.
4️⃣ Bake the pudding:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
5️⃣ Make the sauce (optional):
- While the bread pudding is baking, make the optional sauce by combining the heavy cream, butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.
6️⃣ Serve:
- Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly before serving. Drizzle the warm sauce over each serving of bread pudding, if desired.
Enjoy!
This old-fashioned bread pudding is the perfect dessert for cozy nights or family gatherings. The warm, custardy filling paired with the optional sweet sauce makes for a comforting and satisfying treat.
