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This easy bread pudding recipe is a cozy old-fashioned dessert made with simple ingredients and is completely addicting.
Warm and gooey bread pudding is a classic dessert recipe! Just like our famous Peach Cobbler, this recipe is served warm and is especially delicious with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce.
The EasIEST Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is attributed to England and was particularly popular among the lower class. Instead of tossing out stale bread they soaked it in liquid, added some seasoning, and baked it.
It was often called “poor man’s pudding” or “bread and butter pudding”. Over the years the dish has become a delightful dessert.
Our bread pudding recipe is comforting and cozy with a delicious hint of cinnamon and creamy flavor. Add in raisins or chopped pecans – but I like it best served with a drizzle of Caramel Sauce and Ice Cream.
It’s similar to French Toast Casserole, only it’s creamier, sweeter, and a little gooier – which makes it perfect for dessert.
How to Make Bread Pudding
PREP. Grease a 3-quart (9×13 inch) casserole pan. Cut the bread into cubes and place in the greased pan.
EGG MIXTURE. In a very large bowl, whisk the eggs. Then whisk in the sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, & nutmeg.
BREAD. Pour the egg mixture over top of the bread cubes, tossing the bread as necessary so that it’s all covered in the milk mixture.
Allow the pudding to sit for 20 minutes to soak up the egg mixture. As you wait, preheat the oven to 350°F.
BAKE. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing it into pieces and serving.
SAUCE. Add the brown sugar/flour mix to a medium saucepan along with cinnamon, egg, melted butter, and milk. Cook on LOW heat, whisking until smooth.
ENJOY! Cook for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, then stir in vanilla. Drizzle the vanilla sauce over your warm bread pudding.
Recipe Tips
Soggy bread. This Easy Bread Pudding recipe should be soft, but not runny. There are a few factors that can affect the texture of this dessert:
- It is important to use stale bread to avoid an excess of unabsorbed liquid.
- Underbaking will cause the bread to not set correctly.
- Leaving on the foil will trap moisture causing a soggy pudding.
Additions.
- Flavored chips: chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or cinnamon chips
- Nuts: walnuts, pecans, macadamia, or almonds
- Dried fruit: cranberries or raisins
- Add shredded cheese or crumbled bacon for a savory twist
Storing Info
Make ahead of time. Prepare the Bread Pudding up to 12 hours before baking. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate. When you’re ready to enjoy it, pop it in the preheated oven.
STORE. Place simple Bread Pudding in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheat it in the oven or microwave, but be sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For a crisp top, broil for the last minute.
FREEZE. Cover tightly and freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw overnight before reheating. If it’s lost too much moisture, add a bit of caramel sauce or heavy cream before reheating.
Recipe FAQ
It’s totally up to preference! Most people prefer it warm, especially with the caramel drizzle, but you may also eat it at room temperature or even cold.
It may not be fully cooked, or the bread may not have absorbed the pudding mixture well enough. Also, remember to remove the foil covering after 20 minutes in the oven or the moisture won’t be able to escape as it bakes.
Prepare the bread pudding up to 12 hours before baking, but no longer. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate. When you’re ready to enjoy it, pop it in the preheated oven.
For more yummy recipes, check out:
Bread Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf white bread I typically use an 18 oz loaf
- 6 large eggs
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
Caramel Sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- Grease a 3-quart (9×13 inch) casserole pan.
- Cut the bread into cubes and place in the greased pan.
- In a very large bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Then whisk in the sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, & nutmeg.
- Pour the egg mixture over top of the bread, tossing the bread as necessary so that it's all covered in the egg mixture.
- Allow the pudding to sit for 20 minutes so that the bread soaks up the egg mixture. As you wait, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing it into pieces and serving.
- Mix together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add it to a medium saucepan along with the egg, melted butter, and milk. Cook on LOW heat, whisking until smooth.
- Cook for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, then stir in vanilla. Drizzle over your warm bread pudding.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Could this be made ahead and kept in fridge to bake later so I can serve warm?
You bet! You can prepare the pudding in advance (up to 12 hours before enjoying). Cover the pan with aluminum foil, and place in the fridge. Then when you’re ready to enjoy – pop it in the preheated oven.
I made this for my husband, I will try it for the first time and let you know he loves it…..❤️
Yes, please do! We’d love to hear how he liked the recipe.
Trying this recipe for the first time tomorrow, but I’d love to hear from someone who has made it already…how does the vanilla topping sauce compare to caramel? Thanks for your help!
This is now my “go to” comfort food recipe – easy and delicious! Thank you so much!!!
You are so welcome! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Making this recipe has saved my sanity …. Thank you!!!
LOL..glad it has!! Thank you!
Cant get any better the this! Nice and simple oh an delicious.
So happy you think so 🙂 Thank you for letting me know!
ALmost every RESTAURANT my father goes to he orders their bread pudding. This is his favorite dessert. As he is eating it, he will rate the taste. Most times, he is not happy. When i made this bread pudding, all he could do is rave over how DELICIOUS it was as he ate it, “saying, this is one of the best puddings i have ever eaten!”
What a nice compliment!! Please, tell him Thank you!
I purchased Cinnabon Bread Pudding in Emporium Mall lahore and really enjoyed them. These Bread Pudding are quite delicious and very unique in flavor.
That sounds yum! I hope you give this one a try!
Such a droolworthy, perfect dessert!~
Amazing bread pudding recipe! Thank you for this delicious dessert!