Description
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding is a classic American dessert featuring day-old bread soaked in a rich custard of milk, cream, eggs, and warm spices. Baked to golden perfection, this comforting treat is perfect served warm with ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 6 cups day-old bread, cubed (preferably French or brioche)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Bread Cubes: Place the cubed day-old bread evenly in the prepared baking dish, creating the base layer for the pudding.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together whole milk, heavy cream, large eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Add Melted Butter: Stir the melted unsalted butter into the custard mixture to add richness and flavor.
- Soak Bread: Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes in the dish, gently pressing down to help the bread soak up the liquid evenly.
- Add Raisins (Optional): If using, sprinkle the raisins evenly over the top of the soaked bread mixture for added texture and sweetness.
- Rest Before Baking: Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes so the bread can absorb the custard thoroughly.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating it is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread pudding cool slightly before serving. It is delicious warm, especially when paired with vanilla ice cream or drizzled with caramel or bourbon sauce.
Notes
- This bread pudding tastes best served warm and can be enhanced with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel or bourbon sauce.
- For added texture and nutty flavor, try mixing in chopped pecans or walnuts with the bread cubes before soaking.
- Using day-old bread is essential as it absorbs the custard better without becoming too soggy.
