Classic Bread Pudding

I still remember the first time I made this Classic Bread Pudding. The smell of cinnamon, vanilla, and warm bread filled my kitchen. It felt like pure comfort in a dish.

What I love most is how simple it is. Just old bread, milk, eggs, and a little sugar come together like magic. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you feel at home.

Each bite is soft, creamy, and full of cozy sweetness. The golden top and warm center make it so hard to resist. I always add a drizzle of caramel or cream just to make it extra special.

So, let’s make it together. It’s easy, it’s classic, and it never goes out of style. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a timeless favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Classic Bread Pudding Recipe

• Rich and Comforting: Bread pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert, bringing together a combination of creamy custard and soft, sweet bread.
• Flexible and Customizable: You can tailor the recipe with your favorite mix-ins, such as dried fruit, nuts, or even chocolate chips.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Bread pudding can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving, making it perfect for busy weeknights or holiday gatherings.
• Use Leftovers: It’s a great way to use up leftover bread that might otherwise go to waste. Stale bread is perfect for this recipe!
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This dessert lasts well in the fridge and can be enjoyed for days after baking, so it’s ideal for meal prep or after a big family meal.

Required Kitchen Tools

Here are the kitchen tools you’ll need to make this recipe:

• Large Mixing Bowl: To combine your wet ingredients and mix the bread.
• Whisk: For mixing the custard ingredients together.
• 9×13 Baking Dish: A standard size for baking bread pudding.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurately measuring the ingredients.
• Knife (if chopping nuts or dried fruits): For preparing any optional add-ins.
• Oven Mitts: To handle the hot baking dish when it’s done.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this mouthwatering dessert (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• Brioche or Challah Bread: These types of bread are perfect for bread pudding because of their slight sweetness and dense texture, which absorb the custard beautifully.
• Eggs: Eggs are the base for your custard, creating that rich, smooth texture.
• Whole Milk & Heavy Cream: The combination of milk and cream provides the richness and creaminess needed for the custard base.
• Granulated Sugar & Light Brown Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness, while light brown sugar provides a slight molasses flavor, adding depth.
• Vanilla Extract: The warm, aromatic vanilla flavor is key to elevating the bread pudding.
• Ground Cinnamon & Ground Nutmeg: These spices bring warmth and sweetness to the dish, giving it a cozy, comforting flavor.
• Salt: A pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Nuts & Dried Fruit (Optional): Walnuts, pecans, raisins, or dried cranberries are optional but make a great addition to this dessert for added texture and flavor.
• Butter & Sugar (Optional Topping): If you like your bread pudding a little extra golden and sweet on top, you can brush it with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.

Variations for Classic Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it to fit your personal taste or dietary preferences. Here are a few variations to try:

• Add Chocolate Chips: For a decadent twist, fold in some semisweet or milk chocolate chips. The melty chocolate pairs beautifully with the soft bread pudding.
• Make it Boozy: Add a tablespoon or two of bourbon, rum, or brandy to the custard mixture for an adults-only twist on the classic.
• Try Different Spices: Swap the cinnamon and nutmeg for a pumpkin pie spice blend or add a bit of cardamom for an exotic touch.
• Use Other Bread Types: While brioche and challah are great, you can use French bread, whole wheat bread, or even a baguette for different textures and flavors.
• Go Vegan: Replace the eggs with flax eggs or a chia egg, and use non-dairy milk and vegan butter to make this recipe dairy-free and vegan-friendly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Bread

Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes. If your bread is fresh, it’s helpful to dry it out a bit by leaving it uncovered for a few hours or lightly toasting it in the oven. Stale bread works best for bread pudding as it soaks up the custard mixture without getting too soggy.

2. Make the Custard Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined, ensuring that the sugar dissolves completely.

3. Mix in the Bread

Add the cubed bread to the custard mixture, stirring gently to ensure that every piece of bread is coated. Allow the bread to soak for about 10-15 minutes, pressing down occasionally to help the bread absorb the custard.

4. Add Optional Mix-ins

If you’re using optional mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit, now’s the time to fold them into the mixture. Gently stir them in, ensuring that they are evenly distributed.

5. Transfer to a Baking Dish

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Pour the bread and custard mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.

6. Bake the Bread Pudding

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or knife into the center—if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, it’s ready.

7. Optional Topping

For an extra golden top, you can brush the bread pudding with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Return it to the oven for the last 5 minutes of baking to create a slightly crispy, sweet crust.

Serving and Decoration

Once your bread pudding is done, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the custard to set and makes it easier to cut into portions. Here are some ideas for serving your delicious bread pudding:

• Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream melts perfectly on warm bread pudding, adding extra creaminess.
• Top with Whipped Cream: Light and airy whipped cream pairs beautifully with the rich custard of the bread pudding.
• Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: For an extra touch of sweetness, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the top.
• Dust with Powdered Sugar: For a simple yet elegant finishing touch, dust the top with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Bread pudding is also delicious on its own, served warm or at room temperature. The leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.

Storing Classic Bread Pudding

• Storage: Once cooled, store the bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: You can also freeze bread pudding! Wrap individual servings in plastic wrap or place the whole dessert in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave.
• Reheating: To reheat, simply cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition with Table Format

Here’s a quick look at the nutrition facts for a standard serving of this bread pudding (about 1/8th of the recipe):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	250
Protein	6g
Carbohydrates	35g
Fat	11g
Saturated Fat	5g
Cholesterol	120mg
Sodium	220mg
Fiber	2g
Sugar	20g

Please note that the exact nutritional values may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion size.

Conclusion

Bread pudding is one of those timeless desserts that’s easy to make, customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser. It brings together the best of rich, creamy custard and soft, sweet bread, with the option to add in your favorite mix-ins. Whether you’re serving it at a family dinner, preparing it for holiday gatherings, or making it as a simple treat for yourself, this classic bread pudding is sure to impress. Don’t forget to top it with some whipped cream or caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch!