Description
Grandma’s classic bread pudding sings with Southern comfort and nostalgia. Silky vanilla sauce drizzled over custardy bread layers creates a heartwarming dessert you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
Bread Spices and Sweeteners:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Bread Additional Ingredients:
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ⅓ cup raisins (optional)
Vanilla Sauce Main Ingredients:
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
Vanilla Sauce Sweeteners:
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
Vanilla Sauce Flavor:
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and coat a casserole dish with lubricating agent to prevent sticking.
- Create a harmonious custard base by whisking milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until ingredients seamlessly integrate.
- Gently introduce bread cubes into the liquid mixture, ensuring each piece becomes thoroughly saturated. Allow the bread to rest and absorb the custodial liquid for approximately 10 minutes.
- Incorporate raisins into the softened bread mixture, distributing them evenly throughout the pudding base.
- Drizzle melted butter across the surface, tenderly folding to ensure uniform coverage and enhanced flavor complexity.
- Carefully transfer the moistened bread ensemble into the prepared casserole dish, smoothing the surface for consistent baking.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, monitoring until the top achieves a golden-brown hue and the center stabilizes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick which should emerge clean.
- While the pudding bakes, craft the accompanying vanilla sauce by combining heavy cream, sugar, butter, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Maintain continuous stirring over medium heat until the mixture thickens and coats a spoon elegantly.
- Remove sauce from heat and infuse with vanilla extract, creating a luxurious accompaniment.
- Once baked, allow the pudding to cool momentarily before serving, drizzling the prepared vanilla sauce generously over the top.
Notes
- Bread pudding transforms stale bread into a luxurious dessert with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
- Allow bread to soak in the custard mixture for at least 10 minutes to ensure maximum moisture and rich, creamy texture.
- Raisins are optional but add delightful bursts of sweetness and chewy texture throughout the pudding.
- Toasting the bread cubes before mixing can enhance the depth of flavor and provide a slight crunch.
- Vanilla sauce elevates this classic dessert from simple to extraordinary, creating a restaurant-quality experience at home.
- Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean, indicating the pudding is perfectly baked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 394
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg