Traditional Bread Pudding with Cream Sauce

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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There's something deeply comforting about a serving of warm, aromatic bread pudding. This traditional recipe, with its velvety cream sauce, feels like a hug in a bowl. It's a timeless dessert that perfectly balances the richness of a custard with the texture of baked bread.

Ingredients for Traditional Bread Pudding with Cream Sauce

Bread: Day-old bread is key here; it soaks up the custard beautifully without turning to mush. Any type can work, but something sturdy like French or Italian bread is ideal.

Milk: This forms the base of the custard, adding moisture and richness.

Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pudding just right, balanced by the spices.

Raisins: These little nuggets add bursts of sweetness and texture. If you're not a fan, feel free to leave them out or substitute with nuts.

Butter: Adds richness and flavor, both in the pudding and the cream sauce.

Eggs: They bind everything together, forming a creamy custard when baked.

Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.

Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Classic spices that provide warmth and depth of flavor.

Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the sweetness and spice.

Heavy Cream (for the sauce): The base for our indulgent cream sauce, making it smooth and luxurious.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your bread isn't quite day-old, just cut it up and let it sit out for a few hours to dry a bit.
  • For a richer flavor, try using half-and-half or a mix of milk and cream instead of just milk.
  • Toast the bread cubes lightly before soaking if you prefer a bit more texture.
  • To prevent the raisins from sinking, toss them in a bit of flour before adding them to the mixture.

Serving Suggestions

This bread pudding pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a hint of freshness, consider adding a few fresh berries on top. If you're in the mood for something more indulgent, a drizzle of caramel sauce alongside the cream sauce can be divine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use something other than raisins?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or even chocolate chips make great alternatives.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pudding a day in advance and reheat it before serving. The cream sauce is best made fresh.

Traditional Bread Pudding with Cream Sauce Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. This step ensures your pudding comes out cleanly and doesn't stick.

Next, grab a large bowl and mix your cubed bread with milk. Let it sit for about 10 minutes so the bread can soak up the milk and soften. This is what gives the pudding its lovely, tender texture.

In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, raisins, melted butter, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until everything is well blended. Pour this mixture over your milk-soaked bread and gently stir it all together to ensure an even distribution.

Pour the combined mixture into your prepared baking dish. Slide it into the oven and let it bake for 45-50 minutes. You'll know it's done when the pudding is set and the top is a lovely golden brown.

While the pudding is baking, it’s time to whip up that decadent cream sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream, sugar, and butter. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and add in the vanilla extract. This sauce is the crowning glory of your pudding.

Once your pudding is out of the oven, serve it warm with a generous drizzle of cream sauce over the top. Enjoy the compliments!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich in flavor with a delightful mix of cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Perfect use for day-old bread, minimizing waste.
  • The luscious cream sauce takes it to the next level of indulgence.
  • Simple to make with ingredients you likely have on hand.
  • Great for gatherings, as it serves a crowd and is always a hit.

Ingredients

6 cups day-old bread, cubed
4 cups milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 large eggs, beaten
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
For the cream sauce: 1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cubed bread and milk, allowing the bread to soak for about 10 minutes.
3. In another bowl, mix the sugar, raisins, melted butter, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Pour the mixture over the soaked bread and gently stir to combine evenly.
5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the pudding is set and the top is golden brown.
6. While the pudding is baking, prepare the cream sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream, sugar, and butter, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
7. Serve the bread pudding warm with the cream sauce drizzled on top.

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