Homemade Bread Pudding with Cinnamon & Vanilla
This classic bread pudding with brown sugar sauce is the ultimate comfort dessert, made with simple pantry ingredients and packed with warm cinnamon flavor. Soft, custardy bread pudding paired with a rich, buttery brown sugar sauce makes this easy baked dessert perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or a cozy night in. If you’re looking for more comforting homemade desserts, try my pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing or no-bake raspberry cheesecake next.
How to Make Bread Pudding
Preheat your oven to 350℉/176℃/Gas Mark 4 and generously grease a 9×9 baking dish with butter. Cut your stale bread into bite-sized cubes, about 1 inch in size, and spread them evenly across the bottom of the pan. If you don’t have stale bread, toast your fresh bread instead.
Melt the butter and drizzle it over the bread cubes, ensuring everything is well-coated. If you’re using raisins, sprinkle them evenly over the bread at this stage.
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth, then add the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Whisk everything together until fully combined.
Slowly pour this custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring every piece of bread is soaked for a rich, tender bread pudding.
Bake the bread pudding in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is set and springs back gently when touched with an oven glove.
While the pudding is baking, prepare the brown sugar sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown slightly, then reduce the heat and add the brown sugar and whole milk. Let the sauce simmer for 1–2 minutes, until it has thickened and become glossy.
Once the bread pudding is finished baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the warm brown sugar sauce over the top.
Serve warm and enjoy this cozy, classic dessert that’s perfect for holidays, weekends, or anytime you’re craving comfort food.
If you love easy homemade desserts, you may also enjoy my homemade apple pie or apple crumble, which are both perfect for cozy fall baking.
Storage
Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Bread pudding can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30–45 seconds, or warm in the oven at 325℉ until heated through. Store the sauce separately if possible and reheat gently.
Ingredients
Stale Bread: Using stale or day-old bread is key for the perfect bread pudding. Leftover homemade white sandwich bread is perfect for this recipe. The drier texture soaks up the custard mixture beautifully, creating a soft, custardy centre without becoming soggy.
Butter: Melted butter adds richness and moisture to the bread while helping it bake up golden and flavourful.
Eggs: Eggs bind the pudding together and give it that classic, creamy, custard-like texture.
Whole Milk: Whole milk keeps the bread pudding rich and tender, balancing the eggs for a smooth, comforting consistency.
Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the warm flavours of vanilla and cinnamon.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla enhances all the flavours in the pudding and adds a subtle warmth that makes this dessert taste homemade.
Cinnamon: A classic spice for bread pudding, cinnamon adds warmth and depth that pairs perfectly with the custard and bread.
Raisins (Optional): Raisins add pops of sweetness and texture throughout the pudding. They’re optional but traditional and comforting.
Brown Sugar Sauce Ingredients
Butter: Forms the rich base of the sauce, giving it a smooth, glossy finish.
Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with warm bread pudding.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the caramel flavour of the sauce.
Whole Milk: Thins the sauce slightly while keeping it creamy and pourable.
More desserts that you’ll love!
- Pumpkin Bread
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Fresh Zucchini Bread
- No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
Bread Pudding with Brown Sugar Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 slices of stale bread
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 4 eggs
- 2 c. whole milk
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 c. raisins optional
Brown Sugar Sauce (optional)
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp. whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉/176℃/Gas Mark 4.
- Grease a 9x9 pan with butter.
- Cut up the stale bread into small cubed pieces, about 1” in size. Place evenly onto the bottom greased pan. Melt the butter and pour it over the bread. Sprinkle the raisins over the bread cubes here if using.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, and continue to whisk together.
- Pour the mixture over the bread cubes, making sure to coat each piece of bread.
- Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes or until it springs back easily if you touch it with your oven glove on.
Brown Sugar Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt the butter on medium heat. Let the butter brown then reduce the heat to a simmer and add the brown sugar and whole milk to the butter.
- Continue to simmer until the sauce is browned and thickened. About 1-2 minutes.
- When the bread pudding is finished baking, remove from the oven and pour the brown sugar sauce onto the top of the baked bread pudding. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
FAQ Section
Can I use fresh bread instead of stale bread?
Yes, but stale or day-old bread works best as it absorbs the custard better. If using fresh bread, lightly toast it first.
What type of bread is best for bread pudding?
White bread, brioche, challah, or French bread all work well and create a soft, rich texture.
Can I make bread pudding ahead of time?
Absolutely. Bake it, let it cool, then store it covered in the fridge. Reheat before serving and add the sauce fresh.
Can I add other mix-ins?
Yes! Raisins, chopped dates, nuts, chocolate chips, or diced apples are all great additions.
Should the brown sugar sauce be stored separately?
Yes, for best texture and freshness, store the sauce in a separate airtight container and reheat before serving.
Is bread pudding served hot or cold?
Bread pudding is best served warm, especially with the brown sugar sauce, but it’s also delicious chilled.
In this blog post, you learned how to make creamy bread pudding.