Description
A classic and comforting Bread Pudding recipe featuring stale bread soaked in a rich custard mixture, baked to golden perfection, and optionally topped with a warm vanilla sauce for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Pudding
- 6 slices stale bread (or about 4-5 cups of broken bread pieces or cubes)
- 3 tbsp. butter (divided as 1 tbsp. + 2 tbsp.)
- 4 eggs (beaten)
- 2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Optional Vanilla Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter (salted or unsalted)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Take an 8-inch baking dish and apply a layer of butter using 1 tablespoon to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Bread: Break the bread into pieces or cubes and place them evenly in the buttered baking dish. Drizzle melted butter (2 tablespoons) over the bread to add richness.
- Mix Custard: In a bowl, thoroughly mix the beaten eggs, milk, white sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Soak Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread in the baking dish, ensuring all pieces are soaked.
- Bake Pudding: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the pudding has set and bounces back lightly when gently touched.
- Make Vanilla Sauce (Optional): In a saucepan, melt butter over high heat, then reduce to medium heat to allow the butter to brown slightly, enhancing flavor.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in brown sugar and vanilla extract, then remove the saucepan from heat. Let the sauce rest for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring again before serving.
- Serve: Pour the warm vanilla sauce over the freshly baked bread pudding for extra moisture and flavor.
Notes
- Use stale or day-old bread for best texture and absorption.
- Whole milk or 2% milk can be used depending on preference.
- For a richer pudding, substitute some milk with cream.
- Optional add-ins like raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips can be mixed into the bread before pouring the custard.
- The vanilla sauce adds a delicious finishing touch but can be omitted if desired.
- Ensure not to overbake to avoid a dry pudding; it should be slightly jiggly in the center when done.
