🍮 Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce: The Cozy, Custardy Classic That Tastes Like Grandma's Hug! 🥖


 


  • 6 cups day-old bread, cubed (French, brioche, or challah work beautifully)

  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half

  • 4 large eggs

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • Pinch of salt

The Classic Add-Ins:

  • ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • Optional: ½ cup chopped apples or peaches

The Legendary Vanilla Sauce:

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (yes, a full tablespoon!)

  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional thickener)

👩‍🍳 Creating Your Bread Pudding Masterpiece

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
Arrange bread cubes in the prepared dish and sprinkle with raisins. If using stale bread, no need to toast. If bread is fresh, toast lightly first.

Step 2: Create the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, both sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined and smooth.
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Press down gently with a spatula to ensure all bread gets soaked.
Let sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Drizzle melted butter over the top.
Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
The pudding will continue to set as it cools.

Step 4: The Vanilla Sauce Magic

While the pudding bakes, make the sauce: In a saucepan, combine cream, butter, and sugar.
Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until the butter melts and sugar dissolves.
If using cornstarch, add the slurry and cook until slightly thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Step 5: The Grand Finale

Let the bread pudding cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Pour warm vanilla sauce over individual servings.
Watch as the sauce cascades down the sides, creating pools of creamy goodness.

🌟 5 Secrets to Bread Pudding Perfection

  1. BREAD CHOICE MATTERS: Sturdier breads like French or brioche hold their texture better than soft sandwich bread

  2. PATIENCE WITH SOAKING: Letting the bread absorb the custard ensures every bite is moist

  3. DON'T OVERBAKE: The center should still have a slight jiggle—it will set as it cools

  4. QUALITY VANILLA: Since vanilla is the star of the sauce, use the best you can afford

  5. SERVE WARM: Bread pudding is always best when served slightly warm

🍂 Serving Suggestions That Warm the Soul

  • SUNDAY SUPPER FINALE: The perfect ending to a family meal

  • HOLIDAY GATHERING: A comforting alternative to heavy pies

  • BRUNCH STAR: Wonderful alongside coffee and fresh fruit

  • COLD WEATHER COMFORT: Ideal for cozy nights by the fire

  • ELEVATED DESSERT: Serve in pretty bowls with extra sauce drizzled artistically

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Assemble the pudding (without baking) and refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

Q: What's the best bread to use?
A: Day-old French bread, brioche, challah, or even croissants work wonderfully. Avoid very soft sandwich bread.

Q: Can I freeze bread pudding?
A: Yes! Bake and cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven.

Q: How do I prevent a soggy pudding?
A: Use the right bread-to-custard ratio and don't skip the soaking time. The bread should absorb most of the liquid before baking.

The Final Spoonful: More Than Just Dessert

This Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce is more than a recipe—it's a connection to generations past, a celebration of resourcefulness, and proof that the most comforting dishes are often the simplest. It's the taste of home, of love, of memories in the making.

Every time you pull this golden, fragrant pudding from the oven, you're not just making dessert—you're continuing a beautiful tradition that spans generations. You're creating new memories while honoring old ones, one delicious spoonful at a time.

Now we want to hear your story! What food memories does bread pudding evoke for you? Will this become a new tradition in your home? Share your stories and photos in the comments below—we can't wait to hear about your baking adventures! 🍮✨