Description
A warm, comforting American dessert featuring custard-soaked bread baked to golden perfection and served with a luscious homemade vanilla sauce. Perfect for family gatherings and cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Pudding
- 6 cups day-old bread cubes (such as French or brioche)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup raisins (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Vanilla Sauce
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Soak Bread: Add the day-old bread cubes to the custard mixture and gently stir to coat all pieces evenly. Allow the mixture to sit for 10–15 minutes so the bread absorbs the custard thoroughly.
- Add Raisins: If desired, stir in the raisins to the soaked bread mixture for added texture and sweetness.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the custard-soaked bread mixture into the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes until the pudding is golden brown on top and set in the center.
- Make Vanilla Sauce: While the pudding bakes, combine sugar and all-purpose flour in a saucepan. Add butter and whole milk, then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, approximately 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract for aroma and flavor.
- Serve: Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly after baking. Serve warm with a generous drizzle of the freshly made vanilla sauce.
Notes
- For a richer and creamier texture, substitute half-and-half in place of both the milk and cream.
- Enhance flavor and texture by adding chopped pecans or chocolate chips to the bread mixture before baking.
