How to Make Bread Pudding

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 19, 2022 References Tested

Bread pudding is a bread-based dessert found in many countries. If you have leftover bread that's on the verge of going bad - don't waste it by throwing it out! Instead, transform it into a rich and decadent dessert to share at a dinner party or to indulge in on your own.

Ingredients

6 slices bread, preferably a day to a few days old
2 tablespoons (30 g) butter, melted
1/2 cup (80g) raisins, optional
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups (475 ml) milk, the creamier the better
1/2 cup (100g) white sugar
1 teaspoon (2g) ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Making Bread Pudding

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175° C). Make sure the rack you'll be using is placed in the middle of the oven.
2
Tear up the bread slices into small to medium sized pieces. Then, place them in a greased 8" square pan. To grease the pan, butter is preferable, but non-stick spray, olive oil (a non-flavored kind), or shortening work, too. You can also cube the bread into 1" pieces if you want a uniform, classic, make-no-mistake-about-it bread pudding.
- What kind of bread to use? Well, that's sort of up to you. But sourdough, French, brioche, Italian, or even sweet rolls will guarantee a delicious flavor.
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3
Drizzle the melted butter on top of the bread pieces. Try to get it spread as evenly as possible, because you want every bite to have a hint of buttery goodness. Mix it up in the pan a bit if need be to immerse all the pieces.
4
Sprinkle the raisins all over the pan. If you're using raisins, of course! You can also use 1/2 cup of another dried fruit if raisins aren't your thing. But toasted nuts (pecans, anyone?) or even fresh fruit (like a chopped apple) are to die for, too.
5
Measure and mix together the beaten eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla in a medium sized bowl. If you're looking for a twist, the zest of a lemon or orange or 1/4 cup rum or grand marnier could do the trick.
- What does "milk" really mean? It can mean anything from soy to 2% to a mixture of milk and cream, if you're feeling extra decadent. The thicker and creamier it is, sure, the fattier it'll be, but it'll also be more scrumptious, too.
6
Pour the bowl mixture all over the pan. Make sure it gets everywhere! Mix it up a bit so all sides of the bread can sop up the flavor.
7
Use a fork/spoon to lightly press the bread down. This helps the bread absorb the mixture and to coat all bread pieces. Mix it up slightly to spread the mixture evenly.
- At this stage, you can opt to put the pudding in the fridge for up to an hour to give the flavor a chance to soak into the bread. However, if your stomach is rumbling now, it can be skipped.
8
Bake for 45 minutes or until golden. You'll know it's done when you insert a toothpick into it and it comes out clean. Let the bread pudding cool for 10-15 minutes. You can resist for that long, right?
9
Cut into pieces, serving warm with pecans or whipped cream. You can also top with milk or cream to make it extra gooey. Or keep reading for some extra delicious ideas!

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Adding Toppings, etc.

1
Go for extra add-ins. We briefly mentioned this up top, but bread pudding is a great base for a number of flavors. It's sweet, but not too sweet, and rich, but not too rich. Here are a few ideas to spruce up your dish:
- Fresh fruit, like apples or berries
- Dried fruit, like dates or figs
- Pecans or walnuts, toasted and chopped
- Caramel or butterscotch drizzled on top
- Top it with sugar, brown sugar, or a streusel topping of oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of flour and butter
2
Make a whiskey cream sauce. Just when you thought it couldn't be any better, huh? After it comes out of the oven and while it's cooling, grab your saucepan and start making a sauce to pour over the individual servings. It's quite simple:
- Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1 stick butter, 1/2 cup cream, and 1/4 cup Jack Daniels in your pan. Heat over medium-low and when it reaches a light boil, take it off the heat. That's it! Drizzle over the pudding and try not to salivate.
3
Make a bourbon sauce. ...Or maybe it does get better. Heat 1 stick of butter, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 egg in a saucepan, whisking and stirring till it thickens. Then, whisk in up to 1 cup of bourbon and take off the heat. Drizzle over and enjoy!
- Don't let it simmer or it might curdle! You just want it to get warm and thick.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I use soy milk for this?

Qamar

Top Answerer

Yes, you can replace regular milk with soy milk. It'll still work fine.
Question

My pudding never sets. It is always wet even after a long over due time baking at 300 or 350 degrees. What should I do?

Pat Southwood-Theron

Community Answer

You just have to bake the pudding until it is set by watching it. All ovens are different they do not all have exactly the same temperature setting. And therefore the baking time is a guideline - it could be less or it could be more. Altitude and humidity can also play a role in baking times.
Question

Can you use biscuits instead of white bread?

Community Answer

Sure. Part of the fun of cooking and baking is experimenting and substituting.