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Bread pudding is one of those timeless desserts that feels like a hug straight out of the oven. It’s rich, cozy, and one of my favorite ways to give old bread a second life. I first started making it on chilly weekends when I found a half-eaten loaf sitting on the counter, just a little too stale for sandwiches but perfect for something warm and sweet. Instead of tossing it, I turned it into this custardy, spiced dessert—and now, bread pudding has a permanent spot in my baking routine. I often serve it alongside treats like my Pumpkin Bread with Vanilla Glaze and Pecans in the fall, or pair it with Homemade Whipped Cream when I want an extra indulgent touch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Budget-friendly: Uses up bread you might otherwise waste.
- Comforting: Packed with cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, and almonds.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt with seasonal flavors.
- Feeds a crowd: A simple dessert that stretches far.
- Perfect for holidays: Smells like pure comfort while it bakes.
Watch how I make this recipe
Tools That Make It Easier
- Measuring cups & spoons – Accuracy is key when working with custards.
- Glass mixing bowl – Great for whisking everything together.
- Silicone spatulas – My go-to for scraping every bit of custard into the pan.
- 9x13 baking dish – Big enough for generous portions.
- Fine mesh strainer – Perfect for dusting powdered sugar.
- Whisk – For smooth and creamy custard.
What You’ll Need From Your Pantry
Bread Pudding
- 4 cups milk
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 loaf white bread (stale bread works best)
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup almond slivers
- Cooking spray
Sauce
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Garnish
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Before You Start: My Quick Tip
- Best bread: Slightly stale French bread holds its shape beautifully, but sandwich bread works too.
- Mix-in swaps: Around the holidays, I sometimes replace raisins with dried cranberries or chopped apricots.
- Serving idea: Warm bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of Homemade Whipped Cream is pure magic.
- Make-ahead: Assemble early in the day, refrigerate, and bake just before serving so it’s warm and fresh.
- Extra cozy twist: A sprinkle of orange zest in the custard makes it taste just like Christmas.
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Let’s Make It Together
Step 1: Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13 baking dish.
- Cut bread into 2-inch squares.
Step 2: Mix Custard
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and brown sugar.
Step 3: Assemble
- Layer half the bread cubes in the dish.
- Sprinkle with half the raisins and almonds.
- Add the remaining bread, raisins, and almonds.
- Pour custard mixture evenly over the bread.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake another 15 minutes, until golden and set.
Sauce
- Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Stir in milk, vanilla, and brown sugar.
- Pour over the bread pudding while warm and let soak for 5 minutes.
- Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Recipe variations
- Chocolate Bread Pudding: Scatter in chocolate chips for melty pockets.
- Bourbon Sauce: Add a splash of bourbon to the sauce for adults.
- Nut-Free: Omit almonds if serving kids or guests with allergies.
- Fruit Boost: Add chopped apples or pears for a heartier version.
Storage
- Freezer: Up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently before serving.
- Fridge: Up to 5 days in an airtight container.
More Comforting Desserts
- Toasted Coconut Flakes
- Copycat Papa Murphy’s Sweet Mini Pizzas
- Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Butter Glaze
- Caramel Apple Slices
- Soft Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies
- Apple Oatmeal Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie Mug Cake
Simple Bread Pudding
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Equipment
Ingredients
Bread Pudding
- 4 cups milk
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 loaf white bread could be stale bread
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup almond slivers
- Cooking spray oil
Sauce
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
Garnish
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Making the Bread Pudding
- Start by gathering and measuring all the bread pudding ingredients with measuring cups and spoons. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large measuring cup or mixing bowl with a pour spout, add the milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and brown sugar.
- Whisk everything together until well blended.
- Cut the bread slices into 2-inch squares.
- Keep cutting until you’ve turned the whole loaf into squares.
- Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place half of the bread cubes in the dish to form the bottom layer.
- Sprinkle raisins and almond slivers over that bread layer.
- Add the rest of the bread cubes on top.
- Finish with the remaining raisins and almond slivers.
- Pour the milk-and-egg mixture evenly over the bread. Bake for 50–55 minutes. For the last 15 minutes, cover loosely with foil.
Making the Pudding Sauce
- Gather and measure all the sauce ingredients.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave.
- Once slightly cooled, stir in the milk, vanilla, and brown sugar.
- Pour the sauce over the baked bread pudding and let it soak in for about 5 minutes.
- Dust the top with powdered sugar.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerator: Place leftovers in an airtight container and keep chilled for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Store in an airtight container or freezer-safe zip bag for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to label the date so you know when it was stored.
Nutrition
From My Kitchen to Yours
More Breakfast Recipes
- Instant Pot Egg Bites – Easy Copycat Starbucks Recipe
- Classic French Toast Recipe for a Quick Breakfast
- Easy Mixed Berry Compote for Breakfast and Dessert
- Fluffy Coconut Banana Pancakes for a Tropical Breakfast
- Spicy Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins with Fresh Jalapeños and No Cheese
- The Best Way to Cook Bacon in the Oven
I’ve Got Answers
Can I use fresh bread?
Yes, but stale bread soaks up custard better. If using fresh, cube and lightly toast it first.
Do I need to soak the bread ahead?
No—once the custard is poured, it absorbs beautifully during baking.
Can I reheat leftovers?
Definitely. Warm in the oven at 325°F for 10–15 minutes or microwave a slice for 30 seconds.
What goes best with it?
I love pairing it with Caramel Apple Slices in the fall, or topping it with Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Butter Glaze in the summer.
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Food Photography & Video Tips from My Studio
Here’s a peek at the tools, gear, and camera setups I use to film my recipe videos and photograph food at home. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of different setups, and now I’m sharing what actually works for me—whether I’m filming overhead shots for YouTube or styling still photos for my blog. If you’re curious about how I create the content you see here, these posts are a great place to start.








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