Description
Custard Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce is a comforting dessert featuring slightly stale bread soaked in a rich custard and baked to a golden perfection, then served warm with a luscious homemade vanilla sauce. This recipe combines simple pantry ingredients with cozy flavors to create a versatile treat perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snack time, delivering a creamy, soft texture and aromatic vanilla sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread Pudding:
- 6 cups stale bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
For the Vanilla Sauce:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Start by cutting your stale bread into cubes about an inch in size. The bread should be dry to absorb the custard well without becoming too soggy during baking.
- Make the Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, milk, cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg if desired to introduce warm spices into your custard.
- Combine Bread and Custard: Gently fold the bread cubes into the custard mixture, making sure every piece is well coated. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to soak up all the rich custard flavor.
- Bake Until Golden: Transfer the soaked bread mixture into a buttered baking dish. Dot the top with small butter pieces and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes until the pudding is set and the top is beautifully golden brown.
- Prepare the Vanilla Sauce: While the pudding bakes, gently heat milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Stir continuously until slightly thickened and fragrant, forming the luscious vanilla sauce that will crown your bread pudding.
- Serve Warm with Sauce: Serve your Custard Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce warm, pouring the sauce generously over each portion for the ultimate creamy indulgence.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread to ensure perfect custard absorption without sogginess.
- Allow the bread to soak in the custard mixture for about 20 minutes to maximize flavor and texture.
- Bake the pudding until set but still moist inside to avoid dryness.
- Use pure vanilla extract or fresh vanilla bean for the best aroma and flavor.
- Serve the pudding hot or warm for optimal taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: custard bread pudding, vanilla sauce, comfort dessert, baked pudding, creamy dessert, classic bread pudding