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–+ servings
A delightful slice of warm bread pudding recipe, glistening with sweet caramel sauce and a dollop of whipped cream.

Ultimate Bread Pudding Recipe: Crispy Top, Creamy Center

Discover the ultimate bread pudding with a crispy top and creamy center. This recipe utilizes toasted stale bread and a gently warmed custard base for unparalleled flavor and texture. Easy to follow, it transforms humble ingredients into a comforting, gourmet dessert perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 slices stale bread (or 4-5 cups broken pieces, e.g., French, brioche, challah)
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 beaten eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • raisins (optional)
Optional Creamy Vanilla Sauce
  • vanilla sauce (get my vanilla sauce recipe)
Optional Brown Sugar Butter Drizzle
  • 3 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream, optional)

Equipment

  • 8-inch square baking dish
  • small saucepan
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

Prepare Your Baking Dish and Bread
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Generously coat the inside of your 8-inch square baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter. Break your stale bread into large, rustic pieces directly into the buttered dish. In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then gently drizzle it over the bread pieces in the dish.
Craft the Custard and Soak
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the 4 beaten eggs, 2 cups of gently warmed milk, ¾ cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until well combined and silky smooth. Slowly pour this fragrant mixture over the bread in the baking dish, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Gently press the bread down to fully submerge it. Let the bread soak in the warm custard mixture for 15-20 minutes for maximum absorption.
Bake to Golden Perfection
  1. Once the bread has soaked, place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden-brown and springs back lightly when touched with a fork. The edges should be bubbling gently.
Optional Buttery Brown Sugar Sauce
  1. While the bread pudding bakes, prepare the optional sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of salted butter over high heat. Once melted, reduce heat to medium and let the butter brown slightly until tiny brown bits form and you smell a nutty aroma. Turn the heat down to a simmer. Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk (or heavy cream). Whisk to combine and simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Serve this sauce generously over the warm bread pudding.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 250mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 5IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This bread pudding is an excellent make-ahead dessert. For a richer custard, use half & half or heavy cream. Add raisins, chocolate chips, or pecans for extra flavor. Serve warm with the optional brown sugar butter drizzle or vanilla sauce.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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