There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm serving of classic bread pudding. It’s a sweet, custardy treat that turns simple ingredients into an indulgent dessert. Perfect for making the most out of day-old bread, this recipe is a must-try for dessert lovers.
Bread: Day-old bread is ideal as it absorbs the custard well without becoming overly mushy. Choose a sturdy bread like a baguette or sourdough for the best texture.
Whole milk and heavy cream: These create the rich, creamy custard base that gives the bread pudding its luscious texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard just enough to make it a dessert while allowing the spices to shine through.
Eggs: Act as a binder and help set the custard, giving the pudding its structure.
Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic note that complements the spices beautifully.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: These spices bring a cozy, aromatic flavor to the dish, making it feel like a warm hug.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps achieve a golden-brown finish on top.
Raisins: Provide little bursts of sweetness throughout the pudding, adding texture and flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, subtly balancing the sweetness and spices.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top of a warm piece of bread pudding is pure heaven. If you’re feeling adventurous, drizzle some caramel sauce over it for an extra indulgent treat.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it's warming up, grab your 9x9 inch baking dish and give it a good greasing with a bit of butter. This will prevent our pudding from sticking and make serving much easier later on.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined; this is the custard base that will soak into the bread and create our pudding.
Add your cubed day-old bread into the custard mixture. Gently fold the bread until each piece is coated, being careful not to break the cubes apart. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the bread to soak up all the delicious custard.
Once the bread has had its soak, stir in the raisins. Then, transfer everything to your prepared baking dish. Even out the mixture so it bakes uniformly.
Drizzle the melted butter over the top for that golden finish. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
After removing it from the oven, let it cool a bit before serving. This will make slicing and serving easier, and it'll be just the right temperature to enjoy.
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