Best Bread Pudding Recipe

Bread pudding is one of those timeless desserts that proves simple ingredients can create something truly special. With its soft, custardy center and beautifully golden top, this classic treat delivers pure comfort in every bite. It is warm, rich, and deeply satisfying, making it the kind of dessert that feels just as right for a holiday table as it does for a quiet weekend at home.

What I love most about bread pudding is how it transforms leftover bread into something that feels bakery-worthy. The bread soaks up a sweet, creamy custard, then bakes into a dessert that is soft in the middle with just the right amount of texture on top. Whether you serve it plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or drizzled with a sweet sauce, this is the kind of recipe that always brings people back for seconds.

Why I Love This Recipe

This bread pudding recipe is everything a comfort dessert should be. It is easy to make, uses basic pantry staples, and fills the kitchen with the kind of aroma that instantly makes a home feel warm and inviting. The texture is one of the best parts—tender and creamy, but still structured enough to slice and serve.

I also love how versatile it is. You can keep it classic with vanilla and cinnamon, or dress it up with raisins, nuts, or a buttery sauce. It is a reliable dessert for family dinners, potlucks, and holidays because it feels nostalgic and crowd-pleasing without being complicated.

Ingredients

• 6 cups day-old bread, cubed
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup raisins, optional
• Powdered sugar, optional for serving

Swaps and Notes

• Bread: Brioche, challah, French bread, or even sturdy sandwich bread all work well. Richer breads create a softer, more luxurious pudding.
• Milk and cream: You can use all milk for a lighter version, but the cream adds extra richness.
• Add-ins: Raisins are classic, but chopped pecans or walnuts also work beautifully.
• Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg give this dessert its warm flavor, but a small pinch of allspice can add even more depth.
• Sweetness: Bread pudding should be sweet but not overpowering. Adjust the sugar slightly depending on how rich or sweet your bread already is.

Using day-old bread is ideal because it holds the custard better and helps create the perfect texture. Fresh bread can work too, but drying it out slightly first gives the best results.

How to Make Bread Pudding

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the bread: Cut the bread into cubes and spread them evenly in the baking dish. If using raisins, sprinkle them over the bread.
3. Make the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and melted butter until smooth.
4. Combine: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all the bread gets coated.
5. Rest: Let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes so the bread can soak up the custard.
6. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set but still soft.
7. Cool slightly: Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
8. Serve: Dust with powdered sugar or serve warm as is.

Tips for Success

The key to great bread pudding is getting the texture just right. Use bread that is slightly stale so it absorbs the custard without turning mushy. Letting the mixture rest before baking is also important because it gives the bread time to soak in all that flavor.

Do not overbake it. The center should be set, but still soft and moist. Bread pudding continues to firm up a little as it cools, so pulling it from the oven at the right moment keeps it tender and rich.

For extra flavor, you can lightly toast the bread cubes before adding the custard. That adds a little more structure and helps deepen the overall taste.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Bread pudding is delicious warm, especially when served with whipped cream, a drizzle of vanilla sauce, or a scoop of ice cream. It also pairs beautifully with coffee or hot tea for a cozy dessert experience.

If you are planning a larger dessert spread, this recipe fits right in alongside other comforting favorites like This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd or These Pecan Pie Bars Are My Favorite Make-Ahead Holiday Dessert.

For easy dessert variety, you could also serve this bread pudding with This No-Bake Oreo Cream Pie Is My Favorite Quick Dessert Hack on another occasion, or keep things nostalgic with These Old-School No-Bake Cookies Never Fail Me and I’ve Made Them 100 Times.

And if you love using up ingredients in comforting, homemade ways, This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way to Use Up Overripe Bananas is another recipe worth bookmarking.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Estimated for 8 servings:

• Calories: 360
• Protein: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 27g
• Sodium: 240mg

These values are approximate and can vary depending on the bread and dairy products used.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Store leftover bread pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in a low oven until heated through.

Bread pudding can also be enjoyed cold, though I think it is best slightly warm. If it seems a little dry after refrigeration, adding a spoonful of cream or sauce when reheating helps bring back that soft, custardy texture.

You can also freeze it. Wrap portions tightly and store for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

More Recipes You Will Love

If this kind of cozy dessert is your style, here are a few more approved ChefManiac recipes to try:

• This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd
• These Pecan Pie Bars Are My Favorite Make-Ahead Holiday Dessert
• This No-Bake Oreo Cream Pie Is My Favorite Quick Dessert Hack
• These Old-School No-Bake Cookies Never Fail Me and I’ve Made Them 100 Times
• This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way to Use Up Overripe Bananas

Final Thoughts

This bread pudding recipe is the kind of dessert that never goes out of style. It is warm, simple, budget-friendly, and full of that old-fashioned comfort people always come back to. Whether you make it for a holiday, a family gathering, or just because you have extra bread on hand, it is a recipe that turns everyday ingredients into something memorable.

If you make this one, I would love to hear how you served it and whether you added your own twist. Be sure to follow along for more cozy, crowd-pleasing recipes from Jason Griffith at ChefManiac.