This old-fashioned Bread Pudding is warm, soft, buttery, and filled with sweet cinnamon flavor. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s the perfect way to use day-old bread. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of rich caramel sauce for an irresistible dessert that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding
- 8 cups day-old French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup raisins (optional)
For the Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream
- Ground cinnamon for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- Spread the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish. If using raisins, sprinkle them over the bread.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, gently pressing the bread down so it absorbs the liquid.
- Let the mixture sit for 20–30 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and let the bread pudding cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Scoop warm bread pudding into serving bowls.
- Top each serving with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the ice cream and bread pudding.
- Sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon if desired and serve immediately.
Tips
- Brioche or challah bread creates an extra-rich and buttery pudding.
- Day-old bread works best because it absorbs more custard without becoming mushy.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
- You can also mix in chocolate chips or diced apples for a delicious variation.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
This warm, comforting Bread Pudding is the ultimate homemade dessert—soft on the inside, lightly crisp on top, and even better when topped with creamy vanilla ice cream and luscious caramel sauce. Perfect for holidays, family dinners, or whenever you’re craving a classic comfort dessert.