Bread Pudding is dense and flavorful comfort food that is loaded with pieces of brioche and plump raisins, baked, and topped with a sweet homemade vanilla glaze. For another delicious bread recipe, try my 5 Ingredient Monkey Bread!
Old Fashioned Bread Pudding
Centuries ago, people would look for ways to not waste any leftover food, including bread, which led to bread pudding. It was referred to as ‘poor man’s pudding’, but has evolved to be included in many upscale restaurants as a dessert. With all the variations of bread pudding recipes, it’s fun to play around with the recipe and try other kinds of bread and added ingredients.
Bread Pudding Ingredients
There are two main parts to the recipe–the bread pudding and vanilla glaze.
Brioche bread: I chose to use brioche, a French bread, in this recipe. It is somewhat of a pastry and bread combo that tasted amazing in this recipe!
Raisins: Raisins are optional.
How to Make Vanilla Glaze
This glaze was just the right amount of sweetness to add to the bread pudding. It wasn’t too overpowering, and it made this recipe more of a dessert. To make the glaze, add the butter, sugar, and heavy whipping cream in a saucepan. Heat up the ingredients over medium heat, stirring until it begins to thicken. Stir in the vanilla and pour the glaze over the baked bread pudding. Let it cool for a few minutes before cutting and serving.
How to Store Bread Pudding
To store leftovers, keep the pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you are planning to freeze the pudding, freeze it WITHOUT the vanilla glaze.
Let it come to room temperature before cutting it into individual pieces. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or store the pieces in airtight, freezer-safe containers. Label and date the containers; the pudding will last up to three months.
Variations to Bread Pudding
As I mentioned, there are lots and lots of bread pudding recipes because of the versatility of the recipe. Here are a few things you could try:
- Use different kinds of bread (like cinnamon rolls, baguettes, artisan, or white bread).
- Toast the stale bread pieces in the oven for a few minutes before adding the custard ingredients.
- Make individual bread puddings by dividing the bread and custard evenly between ramekins before baking. Just be sure to check them after 20 minutes or so since the bake time may be a bit different.
- Add granola, dried fruit, cereal, or even marshmallows!
- Top with ice cream, caramel, or a whiskey sauce.
Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche bread, cut or torn into 1" pieces
- ½ cup raisins
- 5 large eggs
- 2 cups (490g) whole milk
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Vanilla Glaze
- ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (119g) heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- Place bread in an even layer in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Let bread sit out, uncovered, overnight to harden slightly.
- Pour raisins over bread and fold in slightly.
- In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, milk, sugars, cinnamon, and vanilla. Once mixed, pour over bread. Press down to coat all bread. Let soak for 20 minutes.
- After soaking, preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean (or internal temperature is 160°F).
- After the bread pudding has baked for about 10 minutes, start making the vanilla glaze. The glaze takes about 20 minutes to thicken.
Vanilla Glaze
- In a saucepan, add butter, sugar, and heavy whipping cream. Set over medium heat and stir frequently until the mixture begins to thicken (about 20 minutes).
- Stir in vanilla and remove the mixture from heat.
- Pour glaze over the top of the bread pudding.
Did you make this recipe?
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I made this yesterday because I had a paska bread that wasn’t getting eaten and OMG it is so yummy! My sons went back for thirds. They literally went through just about the whole pan! I told them I will make another on the weekend for Easter. I haven’t had or made bread pudding in years because my husband doesn’t like it. That’s okay because my sons will definitely eat it. This recipe definitely does not disappoint! So good. Thank you for sharing it. I’m definitely keeping it in my files.
I’m making this now for the first time to take to my son and daughter in law’s house for Resurrection Sunday lunch. I’m using a loaf of stale cinnamon raisin bread. I hope it turns out since I didn’t try it out at home first lol
I made this for dessert yesterday. It was 5 thumbs up from 5 people. Really good warmed up for leftovers too. This was my first time making bread pudding, what was I waiting for? ☺
Hi Amanda- this looks delicious!! I have a couple of loaves of cinnamon raisin potato bread. Would that work in this recipe? And can I use lower fat milk?
Thanks,
Barb Cattie
Sure!
Minus the raisins, extra cinnamon and Maple extract instead of Vanilla. Drizzle lightly with pure maple syrup and you have a delicious French Toast Bread Pudding! Turned out amazing!
Yes to raisins, and the brioche and vanilla glaze or even better the whiskey glaze makes this a 5 star dessert. A now defunct local restaurant used to serve bread pudding with a whiskey sauce. It was too small of a serving and of course so delicious. No one could refuse this when offered. Thank you Amanda for another outstanding dish.
If you don’t have heavy cream can u use half and half or do I need to run to the store
I made this today and oh my gosh is it good. Would recommend any of Amanda’s recipes. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Can this be made the night before and cooked in the morning
I made this for Thanksgiving breakfast. Subbed raisins for pecans. I used left over, stale, brioche slider buns. Turned out delicious! My glaze separated because I accidently added the vanilla while it was heating up and not last, after it thickened. I put it in my blender and it fixed it. Yay! Love this recipe. Please never take it down.