Description
This Custard Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce is a comforting and classic dessert featuring cubes of stale bread soaked in a rich, spiced custard and baked until golden and set. Served warm with a luscious homemade vanilla sauce, it’s perfect for a cozy treat or a satisfying finish to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Pudding
- 4 cups stale bread, cubed
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Vanilla Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even baking of the pudding.
- Add Bread to Dish: Place the cubed stale bread evenly in the greased baking dish, forming the base for the pudding.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Soak Bread in Custard: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring all bread is well soaked. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the custard fully.
- Bake the Pudding: Bake the soaked bread mixture in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Prepare Vanilla Sauce: While the pudding bakes, melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in powdered sugar and milk or cream until the sauce is smooth, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Serve: Once baked, serve the bread pudding warm, drizzled generously with the homemade vanilla sauce.
Notes
- Use stale bread for best texture; fresh bread may make the pudding too soggy.
- Whole milk is recommended for a richer pudding, but you can substitute with 2% milk if preferred.
- Letting the bread soak sufficiently allows the custard to penetrate and ensures a creamy texture.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- Adding raisins, nuts, or dried fruits can add texture and flavor.
