How to Make Homemade Bread Pudding in Simple Steps
Bread pudding is a classic dessert that’s delicious, comforting, and easy to make. It’s a perfect way to use up leftover bread and create something truly special for your family or friends. Whether you’re preparing it for breakfast, dessert, or a special occasion, bread pudding is a dish everyone will love. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to make homemade bread pudding step-by-step, using simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.
What Is Bread Pudding?
Bread pudding is a baked dish made from dried or leftover bread soaked in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and flavorings like vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg. Once baked, the top layer is crispy and golden, while the inside is soft, creamy, and rich with flavor. You can enjoy it warm or cold, and you can customize it by adding fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about bread pudding is that it uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need for a basic bread pudding recipe:
- 6 cups of bread (cubed; stale bread works best)
- 2 cups of milk (whole milk or any milk of your choice)
- 3 eggs (large)
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
- Butter (for greasing the pan)
- Optional: raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips for extra flavor
You can use any type of bread for this recipe—white bread, brioche, challah, or even gluten-free bread. The bread doesn’t have to be fresh; using day-old or stale bread helps it absorb the milk mixture better.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Bread
Start by cutting your bread into bite-sized cubes. You don’t have to be perfect—roughly 1-inch pieces work best. If your bread is fresh, leave it out for a few hours or lightly toast it in the oven to dry it out. Dry bread is better because it absorbs the liquid mixture without getting mushy.
Step 2: Make the Custard Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until the sugar is fully dissolved, and the custard is smooth. This mixture will soak into the bread and create the creamy texture of the pudding.
Step 3: Add the Bread
Grease a baking dish (about 9×13 inches) with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the cubed bread into the dish evenly. If you’re adding extras like raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips, sprinkle them between the layers of bread.
Next, pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press down on the bread with a spoon or your hands to ensure everything is soaked in the mixture. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes so the bread absorbs the liquid well.
Step 4: Bake the Bread Pudding
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the dish into the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are slightly crisp. To check if it’s done, insert a knife or toothpick into the center—it should come out clean.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. You can serve it warm or chilled, depending on what you prefer. Bread pudding tastes great on its own, but you can make it even better by topping it with whipped cream, caramel sauce, powdered sugar, or fresh fruits.
Tips and Variations
- Experiment with Flavors: You can customize the flavor of your bread pudding by adding lemon zest, nutmeg, rum extract, or cocoa powder to the custard mixture. Get creative and make it your own!
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk instead of regular milk, and replace butter with a plant-based substitute.
- Add Texture: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or shredded coconut on top for added crunch.
- For Some Extra Sweetness: Drizzle honey or maple syrup over the bread pudding before baking.
Why Is Bread Pudding So Popular?
Bread pudding is popular because it’s simple to make, comforting, and versatile. It’s also budget-friendly since it allows you to use up bread that might otherwise go to waste. Plus, the combination of creamy custard and baked bread is unbeatable.
Final Thoughts
Homemade bread pudding is a wonderful treat that’s easy enough for beginners and loved by all. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a dessert that feels fancy but takes little effort. Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, you can experiment with different flavors and toppings to make it even more special.
So go ahead—grab that extra bread sitting in your kitchen and try making this simple yet satisfying dish. Whether you serve it with coffee in the morning or as a dessert after dinner, bread pudding is sure to be a hit!
Let us know in the comments if you give this recipe a try or if you have your own spin on bread pudding. Happy baking!
