The Best Homemade Easy Bread Pudding Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

This homemade bread pudding recipe is comfort food at its finest—easy to make and perfect for any occasion. You’ll love how it transforms simple ingredients into a warm, gooey treat that feels like a hug in every bite. It’s a great way to use up stale bread, making it budget-friendly and practical. The rich custard base pairs beautifully with your favorite toppings, like caramel sauce or fresh berries. Plus, the aroma while it bakes will make your kitchen smell amazing!

Recipe

Homemade Bread Pudding is a classic dessert that transforms stale bread into a rich, custardy treat. Perfect for using up leftover bread, this dish is simple to make and comforting to enjoy. With a few basic ingredients, you can create a dessert that’s both nostalgic and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups stale bread, cubed
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup raisins (optional)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. Place the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle raisins evenly over the bread, if using.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
4. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently to make certain the bread absorbs the liquid.
5. Drizzle melted butter over the top.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the pudding is set and the top is golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes:

• Use any type of stale bread, such as French bread, challah, or brioche, for best results.
• For a richer flavor, substitute half the milk with additional heavy cream.
• Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or caramel sauce.

Equipment:

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk

Time:

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45-50 minutes

Total Time: 60-65 minutes

Cuisine: American

Serving: 8 servings

Nutrition

Bread pudding is a comforting dessert that offers a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:

What To Serve With It

I love pairing my homemade bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream—it’s the perfect mix of warm and cold. A drizzle of caramel sauce adds a sweet, sticky touch that takes it to the next level. Sometimes, I’ll even toss on a few crushed nuts for extra texture and crunch.

Ice Cream Pairings

While bread pudding is delicious on its own, serving it with ice cream takes it to another level—trust me, the contrast of warm, custardy pudding and cold, creamy ice cream is magic. My go-to is vanilla; its simplicity lets the pudding shine, but I’ve also experimented with caramel swirl and cinnamon flavors—both add a cozy twist. If you’re feeling adventurous, try pairing it with bourbon or rum raisin ice cream for a grown-up vibe. Chocolate lovers won’t regret a scoop of rich chocolate ice cream either. Whatever you choose, it’s all about balancing flavors and temperatures for that perfect bite.

Caramel Drizzle Complements

A caramel drizzle doesn’t just add sweetness—it turns bread pudding into something extra special, and there are so many ways to play it up. I love pairing it with whipped cream for a creamy texture that melts into the caramel. Another favorite is fresh fruit like bananas or apples, which bring a nice contrast to the richness. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll add chopped nuts for a crunchy surprise. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top takes it to dessert heaven. Honestly, caramel drizzle makes everything better, and experimenting with these combos keeps it exciting every time I serve it.

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younes

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