Bread pudding is a timeless dessert that combines simplicity with indulgence, making it a favorite across generations. The best bread pudding transforms humble ingredients into a rich, comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
At its core, it features cubes of bread—often slightly stale but still flavorful—soaked in a luxurious custard made from eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. The bread absorbs the custard,
creating a texture that is soft and creamy on the inside, while the top layer bakes to a golden, slightly crispy perfection.
Ingredients:
- 6 slices day-old bread, torn into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup raisins (Optional)
- 2 cups milk
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2: Place bread pieces into an 8-inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter over bread and sprinkle raisins over top.
3: Whisk milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla together in a medium mixing bowl until well combined. Pour mixture over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until all bread is covered and soaking up the liquid.
4: Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and the top springs back when lightly pressed, about 45 minutes.