The Sweetest Bread Pudding Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Classic

Nestled in culinary traditions, this bread pudding sparks memories of comfort and warmth.

Grandmothers across kitchens have perfected their secret techniques through generations.

Sweet aromas drift through cozy spaces, promising pure delight.

Soft, custardy textures invite you to savor each luxurious bite.

Humble ingredients combine into something magical and irresistible.

Layers of rich flavors meld together like a delicious symphony.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

The Best Bread Pudding Highlights

Savor Comfort Baking: This bread pudding recipe is a delightful culinary adventure that brings warmth and joy to your kitchen.

• Craft Cozy Dessert: Perfect for creating a nostalgic, homemade treat that wraps you in delicious memories and comfort.
• Master Simple Technique: Beginner-friendly recipe that teaches fundamental baking skills with minimal complex steps and maximum flavor payoff.
• Customize Your Creation: Flexible recipe allows personal touches like adding different spices, using various bread types, or experimenting with sauce variations to match your taste preferences.

Ingredients for The Best Bread Pudding

Main Ingredients:

• Bread Cubes: Soft bread pieces that form the foundation of the pudding.
• Milk: Creamy liquid that helps create a rich and smooth custard texture.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the pudding and adds richness.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread pudding base.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps prevent sticking.

• Cinnamon: Warm spice that provides a classic bread pudding flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances the overall sweetness.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the other flavors in the dish.

• Milk, Cream: Creamy liquids that form the base of the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the sauce.
• Cornstarch: Thickening agent that gives the sauce a smooth consistency.
• Bourbon or Rum: Optional ingredient that adds complexity to the sauce.
• Water: Used to dissolve the cornstarch for the sauce.

Instructions for The Best Bread Pudding

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Generously coat an 8-inch square baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Custard Base

• Milk
• Granulated sugar
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Salt

Stir ingredients over medium heat until butter melts completely. Let the mixture cool down for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Build Pudding Foundation

Spread bread cubes evenly in the buttered baking dish. Whisk eggs into the lukewarm milk mixture one at a time, then blend in vanilla extract.

Pour the silky custard over bread, making sure every piece gets soaked. Allow the mixture to rest for 20-30 minutes so bread can absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown.

Check doneness by inserting a knife into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 5: Craft Decadent Caramel Sauce

• Milk
• Cream
• Brown sugar
• Butter

Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves and mixture steams (5-7 minutes).

Step 6: Thicken Sauce Elegantly

Dissolve cornstarch in water, bourbon, or rum. Slowly whisk the mixture into the steaming milk.

Cook while stirring constantly until sauce reaches a velvety texture (2-3 minutes).

Step 7: Finish with Flavor

Remove from heat.

Stir in vanilla extract and a tiny pinch of salt for extra depth. Drizzle over warm bread pudding and serve immediately.

Expert Tips on The Best Bread Pudding

• Choose day-old bread for better absorption and less soggy texture, ensuring each cube soaks up the rich custard perfectly.
• Customize the recipe by adding raisins, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts to enhance flavor and create delightful texture variations.
• Prevent overbaking by checking the pudding's doneness with a knife test – it should come out clean but still look slightly moist in the center.
• Create a silky smooth sauce by whisking cornstarch slurry slowly and consistently, avoiding lumps and achieving a glossy, velvety consistency.
• Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, gently reheating before serving to maintain its delicious moisture.

Variations of The Best Bread Pudding

• Gluten-Free Bread Pudding: Replace traditional bread with gluten-free bread or challah, ensuring celiac-friendly preparation without compromising taste.
• Vegan Bread Pudding: Swap dairy milk with almond or coconut milk, use coconut oil instead of butter, and replace eggs with mashed bananas or commercial egg replacer for plant-based version.
• Tropical Coconut Bread Pudding: Incorporate shredded coconut into bread cubes, use coconut milk in custard, and top with caramelized pineapple chunks for a Caribbean-inspired dessert.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining rich, comforting flavor profile.

Pairing Ideas for The Best Bread Pudding

• The rich, buttery notes of bourbon perfectly complement the creamy bread pudding, enhancing its warm, sweet flavors and adding a subtle depth to each bite.
• Serve a scoop of cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm bread pudding, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that melts in your mouth.
• The aromatic spices in chai – like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger – echo the warm notes in the bread pudding, creating a harmonious and comforting flavor experience.
• A glass of slightly sweet cream sherry brings out the dessert's caramel undertones, providing a sophisticated and elegant drink that elevates the bread pudding's richness.

Storage Advice for The Best Bread Pudding

• Refrigerate: Store bread pudding in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and absorb other refrigerator odors.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions or whole pudding tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label container with date for tracking.
• Microwave Reheat: Place single serving on microwave-safe plate. Heat at 50% power for 30-45 seconds, checking temperature halfway through. Add extra sauce if desired for moisture.
• Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pudding in covered baking dish with splash of milk or sauce. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, preventing dryness.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this bread pudding different from others?

This recipe uses a rich custard base with milk, sugar, cinnamon, and eggs, creating a deeply flavored and creamy texture that sets it apart from traditional bread pudding.

• 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 more effectively and creates a better texture.

• Is the bourbon sauce necessary for the recipe?

While optional, the bourbon sauce adds a luxurious, rich flavor that complements the sweet bread pudding. If you prefer, you can substitute the bourbon with rum or omit the alcohol entirely.

The Best Bread Pudding Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Classic bread pudding from New Orleans brings comfort and nostalgia to sweet dessert lovers. Rich custard-soaked bread with caramel sauce creates a delightful treat you’ll savor with each warm, delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups bread (stale, 2-inch cubes, brioche or challah)
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk (480 mL)
• 1 cup heavy cream (240 mL)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g)
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar (110 g)
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ¼ cup water (bourbon or rum, optional)
• ¼ cup water (for dissolving cornstarch)
• Pinch of fine sea salt (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F and delicately coat an 8-inch square baking vessel with butter for smooth release.
2. Craft the silky custard foundation by merging milk, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan. Gently heat until butter liquefies, then allow to cool for 10 minutes.
3. Distribute bread cubes evenly across the prepared dish. Temper the lukewarm milk mixture by gradually incorporating eggs and vanilla, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth blend.
4. Pour custard uniformly over bread, ensuring complete saturation. Let the mixture rest 20-30 minutes, allowing bread to absorb the rich liquid.
5. Slide the dish into the preheated oven, baking 40-45 minutes until the surface transforms into a golden-brown landscape and a knife emerges clean when inserted.
6. Meanwhile, construct the decadent sauce by combining milk, cream, brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan. Heat until sugar dissolves and mixture steams (5-7 minutes).
7. Create a cornstarch slurry using water or bourbon, then slowly integrate into the steaming liquid. Continuously stir until sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency (2-3 minutes).
8. Finalize the sauce by removing from heat, introducing vanilla and a whisper of salt for enhanced depth of flavor.

Notes

• Select day-old bread for better absorption and a more structured pudding texture, preventing sogginess.
• Mix different bread types like brioche, challah, or French bread to add complex flavor and interesting texture variations.
• Add optional mix-ins like raisins, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts during the resting phase for extra excitement and personal touch.
• Avoid overmixing the custard to prevent a tough, rubbery pudding; gently fold ingredients until just combined for a silky, tender result.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 447 kcal
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 165 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg