The Best Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe Ever Made

Creamy and indulgent bread pudding with vanilla sauce beckons comfort seekers to savor a classic dessert.

Sweet aromas will dance through your kitchen as classic ingredients blend effortlessly.

Crusty bread transforms into a luxurious treat that melts in your mouth.

Custardy textures and rich flavors promise a delightful experience for anyone craving something nostalgic.

Simple ingredients come together in magical ways that surprise and delight.

Warm spices and silky sauce elevate this traditional dessert from ordinary to extraordinary.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this irresistible comfort food that feels like a warm hug.

Why Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce Is Loved

• Savor Comforting Nostalgia: This classic bread pudding brings back warm memories of home-cooked family desserts, creating an instant connection to cherished culinary traditions.
• Master Simple Baking Skills: With straightforward ingredients and basic cooking techniques, this recipe welcomes home bakers of all skill levels to create a delightful dessert without complicated steps.
• Customize with Creative Twists: Easily personalize the pudding by adding raisins, nuts, or experimenting with different spices to make the recipe uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core.
• Transform Leftover Bread: Brilliantly repurpose stale bread into a luxurious dessert, reducing food waste and creating a rich, satisfying treat that feels like a gourmet indulgence.

Ingredients for Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

• Day-Old Bread: Stale bread helps absorb the custard mixture and creates a rich, dense texture.
• Raisins: Optional dried fruit that adds natural sweetness and chewy texture to the pudding.

• Milk: Provides moisture and helps create a soft, custardy consistency.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and create a rich, smooth texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the top of the pudding.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic profile.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that add depth and complexity to the dessert's flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a golden, crispy top.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth and luxurious base for the vanilla sauce.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness to the sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Gives the sauce its signature flavor and aroma.

How to Make Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Bread Base

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a baking dish.

Tear bread into chunky pieces and spread them evenly in the dish. If desired, scatter raisins over the bread pieces.

Step 2: Create Creamy Mixture

• Milk
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

Pour this luscious mixture over the bread, ensuring every piece gets thoroughly soaked. Drizzle melted butter across the top and let it rest for 10-15 minutes to absorb flavors.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Watch for a beautiful golden-brown color and a set texture that signals your pudding is ready.

Step 4: Craft Silky Vanilla Sauce

• Sugar
• Heavy cream
• Butter

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until butter melts and sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Spoon the warm bread pudding onto plates and generously drizzle with the luxurious vanilla sauce. Enjoy this comforting dessert while it’s warm and inviting.

Tips for Moist Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

• Choose day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche, challah, or French bread for better texture and absorption of the custard mixture.
• Cover the baking dish with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking to keep the edges from becoming too crispy or burnt.
• Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or mix in dried fruits such as cranberries for extra depth and texture.
• Let the bread pudding rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to allow it to set properly and become more stable when serving.
• Whisk the vanilla sauce continuously while cooking to prevent scorching and achieve a smooth, silky texture.

Variations of Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

• Chocolate Indulgence: Replace raisins with chocolate chips, add cocoa powder to the custard mixture, and create a rich chocolate sauce instead of vanilla.
• Tropical Paradise: Incorporate diced pineapple and coconut flakes into the bread pudding, swap vanilla sauce with a rum-infused caramel drizzle.
• Apple Cinnamon Comfort: Mix in chopped apples and extra cinnamon, top with a warm caramel apple sauce for a cozy autumn-inspired version.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds over the pudding before baking, serve with a maple-bourbon sauce for added depth and texture.

Pairings for Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

• Pair with Creamy Caramel Latte: Complement the warm, spiced bread pudding with a smooth caramel latte that echoes the dessert's sweet and comforting flavors.
• Match with Aged Bourbon: Enhance the pudding's rich, custardy texture with a smooth bourbon that highlights the cinnamon and nutmeg undertones.
• Serve Alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful temperature and texture contrast by adding a scoop of cold, creamy vanilla bean ice cream next to the warm pudding.
• Complement with Dessert Wine: Select a sweet Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling to balance the pudding's warm spices and provide a luxurious finishing touch.

Proper Storage for Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

• Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and refrigerate promptly after cooling.
• Wrap individual portions or entire pudding in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Place in freezer-safe container to protect from freezer burn.
• Place single serving on microwave-safe plate. Heat at 50% power for 30-45 seconds. Check temperature and add additional 15-second intervals if needed. Drizzle fresh vanilla sauce before serving to restore moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various bread types like brioche, challah, or day-old French bread. Stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard mixture more effectively.

• Is it possible to make this dessert without raisins?

Absolutely! You can omit raisins or substitute them with other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dates if you prefer.

• Can I prepare the bread pudding ahead of time?

You can assemble the pudding earlier in the day and refrigerate before baking. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.

Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting bread pudding with vanilla sauce brings warm memories of Southern hospitality. Rich custardy layers meld with sweet spices, promising a delightful dessert experience you won’t soon forget.

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Ingredients

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Bread Pudding:

Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups bread, cubed (French or brioche)
• 3 cups whole milk
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Spices and Flavorings:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup raisins
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted

Vanilla Sauce:

Main Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons/60 milliliters) unsalted butter

Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and generously coating an 88-inch baking dish with grease to prevent sticking.
2. Distribute bread cubes evenly across the prepared dish, creating an initial layer. Scatter raisins uniformly over the bread surface if using.
3. Create a rich custard base by thoroughly whisking milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl until completely smooth and well-integrated.
4. Carefully pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring complete and thorough saturation of every bread piece. Press gently if needed to help absorption.
5. Elegantly drizzle melted butter across the top of the mixture, allowing the pudding to rest for 10-15 minutes to fully absorb the liquid ingredients.
6. Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until the pudding develops a golden-brown exterior and maintains a firm, set consistency.
7. Simultaneously prepare the vanilla sauce by combining sugar, heavy cream, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until butter completely melts and sugar dissolves.
8. Remove sauce from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, creating a smooth, aromatic finishing element.
9. Serve the bread pudding while still warm, generously drizzling the prepared vanilla sauce over the top for a decadent dessert experience.

Notes

• Select day-old bread for better texture and absorption of custard mixture.
• Avoid using fresh bread as it can become too soggy and lose structural integrity.
• Experiment with different bread types like brioche or challah for richer flavor profiles.
• Soak bread cubes thoroughly to ensure even distribution of creamy custard throughout the dessert.
• Add extra warmth with a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for subtle spice complexity.
• Replace whole milk with almond or coconut milk for dairy-free alternative.
• Prevent burning by covering with aluminum foil if top browns too quickly during baking.
• Enhance sauce by adding a splash of bourbon or rum for depth of flavor.
• Store leftovers in refrigerator and gently reheat in microwave or oven for best results.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 415 kcal
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg