Description
This recipe delivers the ultimate comfort dessert using leftover bread. You get a soft custard center, a golden crust, and a delicious homemade vanilla sauce poured over the top.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups stale bread cubes (French bread or brioche work well)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- For the Vanilla Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Place the bread cubes evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. This creates your homemade custard base.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press the bread down to help it absorb the liquid. Let it soak for 15 minutes.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the soaked bread.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
- While the pudding bakes, prepare the vanilla sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat.
- Whisk in the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a tiny splash more cream.
- Let the bread pudding cool slightly before serving warm, drizzled generously with the warm vanilla sauce.
Notes
- Using stale or slightly dry bread gives you the best texture, as it soaks up the custard without becoming mushy.
- For a New Orleans twist, substitute the vanilla sauce with a simple bourbon sauce recipe.
- You can add 1/2 cup of raisins or chocolate chips to the bread mixture before pouring the custard over it.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 150