This bread pudding is undeniably the best! It’s loaded with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and topped with an orange custard sauce.
Bread pudding is a popular dessert made with stale bread. The bread is soaked in a custard mixture of cream and/or milk, eggs, and butter.
There are sweet and savory versions of bread pudding and today I’m sharing with you my favorite sweet version. I came across this recipe on an episode of Hot Ones featuring Terry Crews.
It’s sweetened with sugar and has hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Raisins are sprinkled throughout and the whole thing is baked in a casserole dish.
For best results, bread pudding should be refrigerated for 6-8 hours after it as had baked and cooled to room temperature.
When the bread pudding is ready to be served, whip up the orange custard sauce and drizzle it over each slice.
This is honestly the best bread pudding I’ve ever had and I think you will feel the same once you try it.
Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until custard is set but still a little wobbly and edges of bread have browned. Serve warm or at room temperature.
How to make bread pudding
Making bread pudding is extremely easy to do and requires very little effort. It does require some time though, so plan accordingly.
The bread needs to sit out to become stale for at least a day. And the final dish needs to refrigerate for 6-8 hours after baking.
- Start by whisking the butter, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl until well combined and the eggs are fully broken up.
- Whisk in the heavy cream, milk, and vanilla.
- Add the cubed French bread to the custard and press down so all the bread is submerged. Cover and let sit for 30-35 minutes.
- After the bread has finished soaking, drain the raisins and stir them in.
- Transfer the mixture buttered casserole dish and press it down into the pan.
- Bake in a 325°F for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is just barely set.
- Cool to room temperature then refrigerate for 6-8 hours, preferably overnight, before serving.
When you are ready to serve the pudding, drizzle it with orange custard sauce. The sauce is made with egg, heavy cream, orange juice, sugar, and vanilla.
Cook all the ingredients in a small saucepan, whisking constantly until it’s thickened to the consistency of warm pudding.
Ingredients for this bread pudding recipe
This dessert is very simple and doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. You need just a hand full of items that you may already have on hand.
- Stale French bread – Look for a 16-ounce loaf of french bread. Slice the bread into cubes and place them in a bowl. Leave the bowl out on the counter uncovered for 1-2 days.
- Butter – I like to use unsalted butter since bread usually already contains plenty of salt. Melt the butter and then let it cool before adding it to the eggs or you risk scrambling them.
- Eggs – The original recipe calls for 6 so I decided to stick with that.
- Sugar – I found that ¾ cup of sugar was plenty since the pudding will be topped with a sweet glaze as well.
- Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg seem to work best with desserts like this.
- Cream and Milk – The original recipe used only milk but I decided to use half milk and half heavy cream. I love the richness that heavy cream offers!
- Vanilla – Use a high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best results.
- Raisins – These are optional. Leave them out if you don’t like them or substitute with another dried fruit. It’s best to soak the dried fruit in boiling water before adding them to the pudding so they don’t try out and become hard or chewy during baking.
How to Make the BEST Bread Pudding
FAQ
Should bread pudding be heated?
Should bread pudding be served warm or cold reddit?
How do you eat bread pudding?
Can you eat bread pudding at room temperature?
Can You reheat bread pudding?
You can serve the bread pudding warm or at room temperature. To reheat, cover and place in a 200°F/93°C oven for 15 minutes. Baking tip: If the top is browning too fast, cover loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking until the custard is set. Don’t over bake or the bread will be dry.
How do you cook bread pudding in the oven?
Preheat the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add a little amount of milk or milk mixed with eggs to the dish. Cover your bread pudding with aluminum foil and heat it in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Once it has fully heated, turn on the broiler for a minute. Remove from the oven and serve hot.
Can You bake bread pudding at room temperature?
It’s best to let the bread pudding sit for 1 hour, covered, at room temperature, but if you’re in a hurry, you can bake it right away. Preheat oven to 325°F/160°C.
How do you serve bread pudding?
Individual Servings: For an elegant presentation, consider preparing and serving bread pudding in individual ramekins or small dishes. Top each serving with a sauce or a scoop of ice cream. Garnishes: Add a finishing touch by garnishing your bread pudding with powdered sugar, a dusting of cinnamon, or a few fresh berries.