Introduction

Get ready to make an incredible Old Fashioned Bread Pudding that everyone will love! This recipe combines simple ingredients with great flavor to create something truly special. Perfect for any occasion, this dish is both delicious and easy to prepare.

Follow along as we show you how to make this wonderful recipe step by step!

Of course! Old Fashioned Bread Pudding is the quintessential comfort dessert. It’s humble, economical, and transforms simple, stale bread into a rich, custardy, and deeply satisfying treat.

This recipe sticks to the classic, no-fuss method, with a decadent vanilla sauce that takes it over the top.

The Secret to Perfect Bread Pudding

The key is the bread-to-custard ratio. You want enough rich, eggy custard to soak into the bread completely, resulting in a soft, spoonable texture with a lightly crisp top. Using stale bread is crucial as it soaks up the custard without becoming mushy.

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Recipe: Old Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Serves: 8-10
Prep time: 20 minutes (plus 30-60 minutes for soaking)
Cook time: 45-55 minutes

Ingredients

For the Bread Pudding:

· 8 cups (about ½ lb / 225g) stale bread, cut into 1-inch cubes*
· 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
· 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
· 4 large eggs
· ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· ½ cup (75g) raisins (optional)
· 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for greasing the dish)

Best Breads to Use: French bread, brioche, challah, or a sturdy white bread. It should be a day or two old and slightly dry.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Bread:

· Grease a 9×13 inch or a 2-quart baking dish with the melted butter.
· Place the cubed bread in the prepared dish. If you are using raisins, sprinkle them evenly over the bread now.

2. Make the Custard:

· In a medium saucepan, gently heat the milk and heavy cream over medium heat until it is just warm to the touch (do not boil). This helps the custard blend smoothly.
· In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Gradually whisk in the sugar until well combined and slightly pale.
· Slowly pour the warm milk and cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
· Whisk in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

3. Soak the Bread:

· Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
· Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure all the cubes are submerged in the custard.
· Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour) at room temperature to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard. Press down occasionally.

4. Bake:

· Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
· Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, puffed, and the center is set (it should have a slight jiggle, but not look liquid).
· A knife inserted in the center should come out clean.

5. Cool Slightly:

· Remove from the oven and let the bread pudding cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. It is best served warm.

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For the Classic Vanilla Sauce (Hard Sauce)

This simple, buttery sauce is the traditional and perfect pairing.

Ingredients:

· ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter
· 1 cup (125g) powdered sugar
· 1 large egg yolk (optional, for richness)
· ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream or bourbon
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
2. Whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth.
3. If using, quickly whisk in the egg yolk until fully incorporated.
4. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream (or bourbon for an adult version) and vanilla extract.
5. Cook, whisking constantly, for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is hot and slightly thickened. Do not boil.
6. Serve warm over the warm bread pudding.

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Chef’s Tips & Variations

· Bread Readiness: If your bread isn’t stale, you can dry it out. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes, until dry but not browned.
· Bourbon or Rum Sauce: Substitute the heavy cream in the sauce with bourbon or dark rum for a classic, grown-up twist.
· Bread Pudding with Streusel: For a crunchy top, mix ½ cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 4 tbsp cold butter with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over the pudding before baking.
· Make it Chocolate: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the bread along with the raisins.
· Slow Cooker Method: You can make this in a greased slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-5 hours, until set.

Enjoy this timeless, soul-warming dessert. It’s a beautiful way to reduce food waste and create a truly memorable dish.

Conclusion

Congratulations on making this delicious Old Fashioned Bread Pudding! We hope you and your loved ones enjoyed every bite of this flavorful dish. This recipe is perfect for sharing with family and friends, and we’re confident it will become a regular favorite in your kitchen.

🍽️ Looking for more amazing recipes? Browse through our collection of delicious dishes on YumPost! From quick weeknight dinners to impressive desserts, we have something for every taste and occasion.

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