Recipe: How to Make Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding: A Classic Sweet or Savoury Dish

Bread pudding is a classic dish that can be made as a dessert or a savoury main dish. From the custard and vanilla dessert to a savoury mushroom and onion bread pudding served alongside roast meat, you can’t go wrong adding this recipe to your repertoire.

Whether you’re looking for a simple bread pudding recipe or a way to impress your guests with a comforting homemade dessert, this guide has everything you need.

Why You’ll Love This Bread Pudding Recipe

• Making a bread pudding uses simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry. These include pantry staples like bread, eggs, milk, and sugar.
• It's a zero-waste recipe, as you can use up stale bread.
• As mentioned in the intro, this is a versatile dish that you can transform into a sweet or a savoury version.
• For creative inspiration, take a look at Pinterest for a range of different bread pudding images, both sweet and savoury.

Ingredients

To make a classic bread pudding, here are the ingredients you’ll need:

For the pudding:

• 4 cups of day-old bread, cut into cubes (white, brioche, or wholemeal)
• 2 cups of milk (or cream for a richer version)
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup of sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional)
• 2 tbsp melted butter

For the sauce:

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make Bread Pudding

Step 1: Prep the Bread

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Grease a baking dish with butter or oil.
• Place the bread cubes in the dish, spreading them evenly.

Step 2: Make the Custard

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
• Pour the custard over the bread, pressing down gently to ensure every piece is soaked.
• Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to absorb the liquid.

Step 3: Bake the Pudding

So now you have the soaked bread in your baking dish, with the custard.

• Drizzle melted butter over the top, as this helps to bake into a golden finish.
• Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the custard is set.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

• In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
• Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, whisking until smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

• Let the bread pudding cool for a few minutes before serving.
• Drizzle with warm sauce or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips for the Best Bread Pudding

• Use stale bread if you can. Fresh bread won’t absorb the custard as well. If you are using fresh bread, lightly toast it first. This removes moisture and helps the bread to better absorb the custard.
• Experiment with different flavour combinations. Swap raisins for chocolate, chopped nuts, or diced apples.
• You can make it dairy-free by using almond or coconut milk instead of regular milk.

FAQs About Bread Pudding

Can I make bread pudding ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble it the night before, store it in the fridge, and bake it when needed.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Can I freeze bread pudding?

Absolutely! Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months and reheat before serving.

Suprima Pro Tip for Commercial Bakers

Want to save time and money when making bread pudding for your bakery, café, or catering business?

Switch to Suprima’s wholesale sandwich bread. Our fully baked, frozen loaves are ready to thaw and use, ensuring perfect slices every time. Plus, they’re available in white, wholemeal, and multigrain to suit all your baking needs.