Description
Silky smooth Bread Pudding whispers comfort from Southern kitchens, blending rich custard with golden bread cubes. Warm caramel sauce and delicate spices create a soul-satisfying dessert you’ll crave after one delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Ingredients:
- 8 slices (450g) white bread, day-old
- 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
Custard Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup (75g) raisins
- 1/4 cup (35g) chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Tear the day-old white bread into rustic, irregular chunks, creating varied textures that will absorb the rich custard mixture beautifully.
- Melt the butter and gently brush each bread chunk, enhancing their flavor and helping them crisp slightly during baking.
- Whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl until smooth and slightly frothy, creating a light base for the custard.
- Gradually incorporate milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt, stirring continuously to create a homogeneous, silky custard mixture.
- If using, fold in raisins and chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the bread pieces for delightful bursts of texture.
- Pour the custard over the prepared bread chunks, gently pressing down to ensure every piece becomes saturated with the creamy mixture.
- Allow the bread to soak for 10-15 minutes, enabling maximum absorption of the luxurious custard.
- Transfer the soaked bread pudding to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly and creating an appetizing, rustic surface.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes, allowing the pudding to set and intensify its flavors.
- Optional: Drizzle bourbon over the warm pudding for an extra layer of complexity.
- Dust with powdered sugar just before serving, creating an elegant finishing touch.
- Serve warm, revealing the pudding’s decadent, custardy interior and crisp, caramelized edges.
Notes
- Choose day-old bread for superior texture and absorption, preventing soggy or overly dense pudding.
- Experiment with bread varieties like brioche, challah, or cinnamon raisin for unique flavor profiles and enhanced richness.
- Toast bread chunks lightly before assembling to intensify their nutty, caramelized characteristics and add extra crunch.
- Substitute whole milk with almond or coconut milk for dairy-free alternatives without compromising creamy consistency.
- Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie, diabetic-friendly version.
- Incorporate seasonal fruits like diced apples or berries to create refreshing variations and boost nutritional value.
- Cover with foil during initial baking to prevent excessive browning and ensure even, gentle cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 150mg