Classic Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

A Simple, Delicious Bread Pudding Recipe

Turn day old bread into a treat they won’t soon forget! In this Classic Bread Pudding stale bread gets spiced with cinnamon, soaked in custard until soft, baked until golden, and drizzled with a sweet vanilla sauce for a dessert that’s sweet and simple yet sophisticated.

Easy Bread Pudding

This straightforward, easy bread pudding recipe should be in everyone’s toolkit. I have had so many different variations of bread pudding over the years, and each one has been delicious. Some with nuts and raisins, some with chocolate or whiskey sauce. And each one of them had, at its heart, this simple idea. Bread soaked in milk and egg, a bit of cinnamon, and a sweet sauce on top.

Make it Your Own

If you want to make this bread pudding your own, you could add in some other flavors and textures. Just sprinkle the add-ins over the bread cubes in the baking dish before pouring the custard over it. You could try:

• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped apples

What Do I Need to Make Classic Bread Pudding?

(see recipe card for measurements and details)

• Cubed day old bread (such as brioche or challah bread)
• Large eggs
• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
• 8×8 baking dish

How to Make Classic Bread Pudding

• Generously butter an 8-inch square baking dish.
• Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in the prepared baking dish.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs until pale yellow.
• Then whisk in the milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. 

How to Store and Reheat Bread Pudding

To store leftover bread pudding, allow to cool completely after baking. Then cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to four days. The longer it sets, the softer it will become.

To reheat leftover bread pudding in the microwave, place a single portion on a microwave safe plate and microwave for 15-20 seconds or until heated through.

To reheat leftover bread pudding in the oven, place the bread pudding in a baking dish in the oven at 300°F for about 8-10 minutes or until heated through.

How to Prep Bread Pudding in Advance

You can prepare the bread pudding in the baking dish up to one day in advance before baking it. Simply prepare to just before baking it and then cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it.

When you’re ready to bake the bread pudding, remove it from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap. Let it set at room temperature while you preheat the oven to 350°F and then bake as instructed. The longer the bread pudding soaks before baking it, the softer and more custard-like it will be.