Tres Leches Bread Pudding Recipe

Creamy Tres Leches Bread Pudding Recipe: A Sweet Family Treat

Sweet tres leches bread pudding refines ordinary ingredients into a decadent dessert that whispers comfort and nostalgia.

Creamy milk-soaked textures create a magical culinary experience that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Traditional baking techniques merge with rich cultural flavors, promising an indulgent treat that transcends simple dessert expectations.

Soft bread cubes absorb luxurious milk mixtures, developing an incredible silky consistency that tempts every dessert lover.

Unexpected ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious blend of texture and taste that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

Delicate hints of cinnamon and vanilla elevate this classic recipe beyond traditional boundaries.

Home bakers with moderate skills can confidently craft this impressive dessert that looks complicated but comes together with surprising ease.

What You’ll Need for Tres Leches Bread Pudding

Main Ingredients:

Bread Base:
  • Brioche Bread: Soft, rich bread that absorbs the milk mixture perfectly and provides a luxurious texture.
Dairy Components:
  • Whole Milk, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk: Classic three milk combination that creates the signature tres leches moistness and rich flavor.
Binding Ingredients:
  • Egg Yolks: Provides richness, helps bind the pudding, and creates a smooth custard-like texture.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the dairy's richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, classic flavor to the dessert.
  • Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Topping:
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful chocolate bursts and extra indulgence to the bread pudding.

How to Make Classic Tres Leches Bread Pudding

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Milk Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
  • Egg yolks
  • Whole milk
  • Evaporated milk
  • Sweetened condensed milk (save some for later)
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Sea salt

Blend until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Soak the Bread

Add cubed brioche bread to the milk mixture. Gently fold the bread, ensuring each piece is completely coated with the creamy liquid.

Step 4: Assemble the Pudding

Pour the soaked bread into the prepared baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly across the surface.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Accent

Sprinkle chocolate chips uniformly over the top of the bread mixture.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center sets firmly.

Step 7: Finish with Sweet Drizzle

Once baked, immediately drizzle the remaining sweetened condensed milk over the warm bread pudding.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Serve the bread pudding warm. Enjoy the rich, creamy dessert with friends and family.

Tips for Moist and Milky Bread Pudding

  • Bread Selection Mastery: Choose slightly stale brioche for maximum absorption and richer flavor, ensuring each bite is decadently moist.
  • Soaking Secret: Allow bread to soak in milk mixture for 15-20 minutes before baking to guarantee deep, even flavor penetration throughout the pudding.
  • Chocolate Chip Distribution: Gently fold chocolate chips into the mixture or sprinkle strategically to create delightful pockets of melted chocolate in every serving.
  • Moisture Control: Cover the baking dish with foil for the first 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning and maintain a perfectly creamy texture.
  • Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after drizzling condensed milk for the most luxurious, warm dessert experience with a beautiful glossy finish.

Storage and Reheating for Tres Leches Dessert

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out.
  • Reheat Oven Method: Warm individual servings at 325°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
  • Microwave Method: Heat single portions for 30-45 seconds on medium power. Drizzle extra sweetened condensed milk on top to restore moisture and enhance flavor.

Serving Ideas for Tres Leches Bread Pudding

  • Brew the Perfect Companion: Pair this rich, creamy Tres Leches Bread Pudding with a strong espresso or cappuccino. The bold coffee cuts through the sweetness, creating a balanced and indulgent dessert experience.
  • Sip on Sweet Harmony: Complement the dessert with a glass of Pedro Ximénez sherry. Its intense, raisin-like sweetness matches the bread pudding's decadent profile, enhancing the chocolate and milk-soaked flavors.
  • Refresh with Contrast: Serve alongside a chilled glass of horchata. The light, cinnamon-infused rice milk provides a refreshing counterpoint to the dense, creamy bread pudding, cleansing the palate between bites.
  • Elevate with Fortified Delight: Enjoy a small pour of aged rum or Mexican-style liqueur like Kahlúa. These spirits complement the dessert's caramel notes and add a warm, complex depth to the overall tasting experience.

Delicious Ways to Change Up Tres Leches Pudding

  • Tropical Paradise Remix: Swap chocolate chips with diced mango and coconut flakes, creating a Caribbean-inspired version that brings sunny flavors to the classic dessert.
  • Berry Bliss Variation: Replace chocolate chips with mixed berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, adding a vibrant and tangy fruit element to the creamy bread pudding.
  • Nutty Caramel Crunch: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds and a light caramel drizzle over the top, introducing a rich, crunchy texture and deep caramel notes to the dessert.
  • Spiced Autumn Edition: Mix in pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg, transforming the bread pudding into a cozy fall-inspired treat that captures warm seasonal flavors.

Why Tres Leches Bread Pudding Is So Indulgent

  • Indulge in Creamy Decadence: This Tres Leches Bread Pudding transforms ordinary brioche into a luxurious dessert soaked with three types of milk, creating an incredibly rich and velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Effortless Gourmet Comfort: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, making it perfect for home bakers of all levels who want to create a sophisticated dessert without complex techniques.
  • Chocolate Surprise Twist: Scattered chocolate chips add delightful bursts of sweetness and unexpected richness, elevating the traditional bread pudding with a playful, indulgent element that keeps every bite interesting.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Ready in just about an hour, this dessert is ideal for gatherings, offering a warm, comforting treat that looks and tastes like you spent hours preparing it.
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Tres Leches Bread Pudding Recipe

Tres Leches Bread Pudding Recipe


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4.8 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Mexican tres leches bread pudding merges classic dessert comfort with rich, creamy indulgence. Sweet milk-soaked bread creates a luxurious experience that transports you to culinary bliss with each delectable spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf brioche bread, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 7 egg yolks
  • ½ cup granulated sugar

Milk Components:

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 (12-ounce / 340 grams) can evaporated milk
  • 1 (14-ounce / 397 grams) can sweetened condensed milk (divided)

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  1. Carefully dice the brioche into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure even absorption of the luscious milk mixture.
  2. Whisk together egg yolks, whole milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, vanilla, and sea salt until the mixture transforms into a silky, homogeneous liquid.
  3. Gently incorporate the bread cubes into the milk mixture, allowing each piece to luxuriously soak up the creamy essence.
  4. Meticulously transfer the saturated bread mixture into a well-greased baking dish, creating an even, inviting layer.
  5. Sprinkle chocolate chips across the surface, distributing them strategically for pockets of rich, melted chocolate throughout the pudding.
  6. Slide the baking dish into a preheated oven at 375°F, watching as the pudding gradually turns a golden, appetizing brown.
  7. After 50-60 minutes, when the center sets and the top achieves a beautiful caramelized hue, remove from the oven.
  8. While still warm, drizzle the remaining sweetened condensed milk over the top, creating a glistening, decadent finish.
  9. Serve immediately, allowing guests to experience the pudding at its most sublime temperature and texture.

Notes

  • Elevate this dessert by using high-quality brioche bread for a richer, more luxurious texture that absorbs the milky mixture perfectly.
  • Chocolate chips add delightful bursts of sweetness, but you can swap them with nuts or dried fruit for a personalized twist.
  • Ensure even baking by cutting bread into uniform cubes, allowing each piece to soak up the creamy three-milk blend equally.
  • Let the bread pudding rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to help it set and absorb the remaining condensed milk for maximum flavor.
  • For an extra indulgent touch, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complement the rich, custardy dessert.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator and gently reheat in the oven to maintain the pudding’s delicate texture and prevent sogginess.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 423
  • Sugar: 31 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 210 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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