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–+ servings
Slice of bread pudding on a white plate.
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5 from 9 votes

65+ Easy Christmas Desserts

Look no further for fun, festive and easy Christmas desserts. From classics to something new, we have the BEST holiday treats!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Resting20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 people
Author: Kristyn Merkley

Equipment

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

Bread Pudding

  • Grease a 3-quart (9x13 inch) casserole pan.
  • Cut loaf of bread into cubes and place in the greased pan.
  • In a very large bowl, whisk eggs.
  • Whisk in sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and 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. 

Caramel Sauce

  • Mix 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

Recipe Notes:
  • Use slightly stale bread like challah, brioche, or croissants for the best texture and flavor.
  • Let the bread soak for at least 20 minutes so every bite is custardy and rich.
  • Cover with foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning while still getting a golden top.
  • This dessert reheats well—store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
STORE leftovers covered in the fridge. Bread pudding is best served warm. You can either warm it up in the microwave or preheat the oven to 350°F and bake covered for 10 minutes to warm it up. 
For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post

Nutrition

Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 389IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 283mg | Iron: 3mg