Comforting Bread Pudding Recipe

Heavenly Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding Recipe with Vanilla Sauce

Warm, comforting memories flood back with this classic grandmas old-fashioned bread pudding with vanilla sauce that carries the rich aroma of home-cooked nostalgia.

Stale bread never tasted so heavenly before this incredible dessert came along.

Each spoonful tells a story of love and tradition passed down through generations.

Simple ingredients blend into a magical creation that turns ordinary bread into something extraordinary.

Soft, custardy texture melts in your mouth with each delectable bite.

The silky vanilla sauce drizzled on top adds a luxurious finish that makes this dessert absolutely irresistible.

Let’s find out this timeless recipe and create a sweet moment of pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 352 kcal

Servings: 7

Grandma’s Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce Ingredients

For Base and Texture:
  • White Bread: Slightly stale bread creates better absorption and rich, custardy texture; day-old bread works perfectly.
  • Eggs: Provide structure and binding for the pudding; ensure fresh eggs for best results.
  • Milk: Creates creamy, soft consistency and helps bread absorb flavors smoothly.
For Sweetness and Flavor:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Layer sweet depth and caramel-like undertones; brown sugar adds moisture and complexity.
  • Raisins: Bring delightful bursts of natural sweetness and chewy texture to the pudding.
  • Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic essence and enhances overall dessert complexity.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Adds subtle warm, slightly nutty background note that complements sweet ingredients.
For Richness and Creaminess:
  • Butter: Provides luxurious smoothness and helps prevent sticking during baking.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Contributes velvety richness and enhances the pudding's decadent mouthfeel.

Tools for Grandma’s Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

  • Large Bowl: Spacious container for mixing bread, raisins, and other ingredients.
  • Saucepan: Essential for heating milk and butter, and preparing caramel sauce.
  • Casserole Dish: Baking vessel that can hold at least 1 ½ quarts for pudding.
  • Measuring Cups: Precise tools for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Whisk or Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Knife: Helps check pudding's doneness by testing center firmness.
  • Cutting Board: Surface for cutting bread into cubes.

How to Bake Grandma’s Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

How to Bake Grandma’s Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
  • Bread and Raisin Blend

Gather day-old white bread and sweet raisins, creating a delightful foundation for a classic comfort dessert that will warm hearts and spark memories.

  • Milky Magic

Gently warm milk and butter, transforming them into a luxurious liquid bath that will soak the bread cubes, infusing them with rich, creamy goodness.

  • Flavor Symphony

Introduce beaten eggs, sugar, vanilla, and a whisper of nutmeg into the softened bread mixture, stirring until everything dances together in perfect harmony.

  • Baking Transformation

Nestle the mixture into a welcoming casserole dish, allowing it to bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the center sets with tender love.

  • Dreamy Caramel Sauce

Create a silky caramel sauce by melting butter and sugars together, stirring constantly until the mixture bubbles with sweet, golden promise, ready to cascade over the warm pudding.

Classic Tips for Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Classic Tips for Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
  • Use day-old slightly stale bread for maximum absorption and richer texture; challah or brioche work wonderfully for extra decadence.
  • Soak raisins in warm rum or brandy for 15 minutes before adding to bread mixture for deeper, more complex flavor profile that elevates the entire dessert.
  • Gently press bread cubes down while soaking to ensure uniform moisture distribution, preventing dry spots and creating consistent creamy consistency throughout pudding.
  • Allow bread pudding to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking, which helps set the custard and makes slicing easier; serve warm with vanilla sauce drizzled generously on top for maximum comfort food experience.
  • Prepare entire pudding up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate unbaked; simply bring to room temperature before baking, perfect for stress-free entertaining and meal planning.

Serving Grandma’s Bread Pudding Comfortably

Serving Grandma’s Bread Pudding Comfortably
  • Comforting Breakfast Companion: Pair this warm bread pudding with a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or a creamy hot chocolate to create a delightful morning indulgence.
  • Sweet Dessert Elevation: Serve the bread pudding with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to add extra richness and cool contrast to the warm pudding.
  • Elegant Dinner Finale: Present the bread pudding as a sophisticated dessert after a hearty meal, garnished with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few fresh mint leaves for a touch of elegance.
  • Weekend Brunch Star: Create a delectable brunch spread by placing the bread pudding as a centerpiece alongside fresh fruit, crispy bacon, and a small pitcher of additional vanilla sauce for guests to drizzle as they please.

Storing Grandma’s Bread Pudding Like She Did

  • Smart Meal Scheduling: Plan this dessert as a weekend treat or special family gathering finale. Invite relatives and friends to enjoy this comforting classic that sparks warm conversations and nostalgia.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: Cool bread pudding completely before storing in an airtight container. Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining delicious texture and flavor integrity.
  • Serving Temperature Tips: Reheat individual portions in microwave for 30-45 seconds or warm entire dish in oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle fresh vanilla sauce just before serving to enhance taste and presentation.
  • Batch Preparation Hack: Double the recipe and separate into individual ramekins for convenient single-serving desserts. These smaller portions freeze wonderfully for up to 2 weeks, offering quick sweet solutions during busy weeks.
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Comforting Bread Pudding Recipe

Comforting Bread Pudding


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4.8 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Grandma’s cherished bread pudding recipe celebrates classic comfort with rich, custardy texture and warm spices. Sweet vanilla sauce drizzled over creates a nostalgic dessert you’ll savor with pure, homemade deliciousness.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups white bread (960 ml, approximately 8 slices, cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 2 cups milk (480 ml)
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream (60 ml)
  • ¼ cup butter (softened, 60 ml)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (firmly packed, 50 g)
  • ¼ cup raisins (40 g)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously coat a 1.5-quart casserole dish with butter, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. Bread Mixture: Shred white bread into uniform cubes and combine with raisins in a large mixing bowl, tossing to distribute evenly.
  3. Liquid Integration: Gently heat milk and butter in a saucepan until butter melts completely, creating a smooth, silky liquid. Pour over bread cubes and allow to soak for 10 minutes, stirring intermittently to ensure thorough absorption.
  4. Egg Blend: Whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous. Fold this mixture into the soaked bread, ensuring complete and even coating.
  5. Baking Process: Transfer the bread pudding mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading uniformly. Bake for 40-50 minutes until the top turns golden-brown and the center sets firmly. Verify doneness by inserting a knife – it should emerge clean.
  6. Vanilla Sauce: While pudding bakes, create the sauce by combining butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.
  7. Serving: Remove pudding from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Drizzle warm vanilla sauce over the top before serving.

Notes

  • Bread Selection Tip: Use day-old or slightly stale white bread for the best texture and absorption of custard mixture.
  • Raisin Technique: Soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before adding to prevent them from burning during baking and enhance their plumpness.
  • Custard Consistency: Whisk egg mixture thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, creamy pudding texture throughout.
  • Serving Suggestion: Serve warm for maximum flavor and comfort, with vanilla sauce generously drizzled just before presenting the dessert.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 352
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 175 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 74 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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