Bread Pudding Recipe

The Coziest Bread Pudding Recipe for Sweet Comfort

Creamy, comforting bread pudding whispers stories of grandma’s kitchen and sweet memories.

Warm spices dance through classic ingredients waiting to surprise you.

Soft cubes of bread absorb rich custard like delicate sponges.

Dessert enthusiasts love how simple pantry staples become magic on a plate.

Cinnamon and vanilla create an irresistible aroma that fills every corner.

Nostalgic and decadent, this recipe promises pure deliciousness that will make everyone ask for seconds.

Let’s turn ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat that celebrates comfort and flavor.

Why Delia Smith Bread Pudding Is The Ultimate Comfort Dessert

Why Delia Smith Bread Pudding Is The Ultimate Comfort Dessert
  • Savor Simplicity: This bread pudding recipe transforms basic ingredients into a heartwarming dessert that requires minimal cooking skills, perfect for beginners wanting to explore baking.
  • Customize with Ease: Raisins can be swapped with chocolate chips, nuts, or other dried fruits, allowing personal creativity and flavor preferences to shine through each delicious bite.
  • Family Comfort Classic: A nostalgic dessert that brings generations together, offering a warm, sweet treat that feels like a comforting hug from grandma's kitchen, guaranteed to spark conversation and smiles.
  • Quick Kitchen Magic: With straightforward steps and common pantry ingredients, this recipe delivers a delectable dessert without complicated techniques or specialized equipment, making it a go-to for spontaneous sweet cravings.

Ingredients For Delia Smith Bread Pudding

Bread Base:
  • White Bread: Soft, day-old bread provides the foundation for the pudding's texture and helps absorb the custard.
  • Unsalted Butter: Rich butter adds a golden, crispy surface and enhances the overall flavor.
Custard Components:
  • Whole Milk: Creamy milk creates a smooth, rich custard base.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the pudding and helps caramelize the top.
  • Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide a silky, custardy consistency.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Raisins, Ground Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract: These ingredients add warmth, sweetness, and depth to the bread pudding's flavor profile.

Steps To Make Delia Smith Bread Pudding

Steps To Make Delia Smith Bread Pudding

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 175°C (350°F), creating the perfect cozy environment for baking.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Vessel

Grab an 8-inch baking dish and generously coat it with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Create Bread Chunks

Tear the bread into rustic, uneven chunks, creating a delightful textural base for your pudding.

Step 4: Drizzle and Sprinkle

Lavishly pour melted butter over the bread pieces, then scatter raisins across the surface for bursts of sweetness.

Step 5: Whip Up the Creamy Custard

In a mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Whole milk
  • Granulated sugar
  • Fresh eggs
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Pure vanilla extract

Whisk these ingredients until they transform into a silky, smooth mixture.

Step 6: Soak the Bread

Gently pour the custard over the bread chunks, using a fork to press down and ensure every piece gets soaked in the luscious liquid.

Step 7: Let the Magic Happen

Allow the bread to sit and absorb the custard for 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a set center.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the pudding rest for 10 minutes, allowing it to set and cool slightly before serving.

Tips To Get Bread Pudding Just Right

  • Soak Bread Thoroughly: Allow bread chunks to absorb the custard mixture completely for a rich, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Choose Bread Wisely: Use day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for better absorption and a more luxurious pudding.
  • Customize Sweetness Level: Adjust sugar amount to suit your taste, or swap with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
  • Boost Flavor Variations: Add chocolate chips, nuts, or different spices like nutmeg to create your unique bread pudding experience.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottom: Press bread gently into custard and ensure even distribution to avoid wet, uncooked sections in the dessert.

Tasty Twists On Delia Smith Bread Pudding

  • Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding: Replace raisins with chocolate chips for a rich, decadent dessert. Add cocoa powder to the custard for extra chocolate intensity.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free bread and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Substitute regular milk with almond or oat milk for dietary needs.
  • Tropical Fruit Bread Pudding: Swap raisins with shredded coconut and diced mango or pineapple. Add a splash of rum to the custard for a Caribbean-inspired flavor.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Use sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Include mashed bananas or applesauce to maintain moisture and natural sweetness.

Flavors That Complement Delia Smith Bread Pudding

  • Savor Sweet Bourbon Pairing: Drizzle a small glass of smooth bourbon alongside the warm bread pudding, letting the caramel and vanilla notes complement the dessert's rich custard flavors.
  • Create Vanilla Ice Cream Companion: Top the bread pudding with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, allowing the cold, smooth texture to contrast delightfully with the warm, custardy dessert.
  • Enhance Caramel Sauce Accent: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the bread pudding, adding an extra layer of decadent sweetness that deepens the dessert's complex flavor profile.
  • Brew Cinnamon Coffee Match: Serve a hot cup of cinnamon-infused coffee alongside the bread pudding, mirroring the dessert's warm spices and creating a comforting, harmonious combination.

Keeping Delia Smith Bread Pudding Fresh Longer

  • Store covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
  • Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
  • Place individual portion on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 30-45 seconds until warm. Check temperature to avoid overheating.
  • Warm at 150C (300F) for 10-15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out. Restore moisture by adding a small splash of milk before reheating.

Quick Answers About Delia Smith Bread Pudding

  • What type of bread works best for bread pudding?

Day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche, challah, or French bread are ideal because they absorb the custard better and create a richer texture.

  • Can I make this recipe without raisins?

Absolutely! You can skip the raisins or substitute with other dried fruits like cranberries, chopped dates, or chocolate chips for variety.

  • How do I know when the bread pudding is perfectly cooked?

The pudding is done when the top is golden brown, the center is set but slightly jiggly, and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

  • Is bread pudding considered a healthy dessert?

While delicious, bread pudding is relatively high in calories and sugar. It’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of a healthy diet.

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Bread Pudding Recipe

Bread Pudding Recipe


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4.6 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Silky smooth bread pudding emerges as a comforting classic that whispers sweet memories of home-style baking. Delicate cubes of bread soak in rich custard, creating a dessert that invites warm indulgence and satisfies deep cravings with each luxurious spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 6 slices day-old bread, torn into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup white sugar

Bread and Binding Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Spices and Flavoring:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare a baking dish by generously coating with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Rip bread into rustic, uneven chunks, creating varied textures throughout the dish.
  3. Scatter bread pieces evenly across the prepared baking dish, ensuring uniform coverage.
  4. Drizzle warm melted butter over bread chunks, allowing it to seep into crevices.
  5. Sprinkle raisins across the bread, distributing them for consistent fruity bites.
  6. Whisk together milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
  7. Gently pour custard mixture over bread, using a fork to press down and help bread absorb liquid.
  8. Allow pudding to rest for 10 minutes, enabling bread to soak up the rich custard completely.
  9. Place in preheated oven at 175C (350F) and bake for 45 minutes until top turns golden brown and center sets firmly.
  10. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes, allowing pudding to stabilize before serving.

Notes

  • Use day-old bread for better texture and absorption of custard mixture.
  • Experiment with different bread types like brioche or challah for richer flavor.
  • Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the custard for an adult version of the dessert.
  • For a lighter option, substitute whole milk with almond or coconut milk to reduce calories.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 287 kcal
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
Jackson Reid

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Single-serving recipe development
  • Global flavor fusion
  • Minimalist cooking techniques
  • Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training


Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.

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