Get ready to transform humble bread into a decadent dessert that will transport you straight to grandma's kitchen! This Home Style Bread Pudding is more than just a recipe—it's a warm, nostalgic embrace of sweet, custardy goodness that turns simple ingredients into a mouth-watering masterpiece. Whether you're looking to impress your family or satisfy a comfort food craving, this classic dessert promises to be the star of your dining table.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread, cubed
- 2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent the bread pudding from sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread and raisins. Make sure the bread is cut into bite-sized pieces for even distribution throughout the pudding.
- In another bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and melted butter until well combined. This mixture will create a custard that binds the bread together.
- Pour the custard mixture over the bread and raisins, ensuring that all the bread pieces are soaked. Gently stir to combine, but be careful not to break up the bread too much.
- Let the mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the liquid. This step is crucial for achieving a moist and flavorful pudding.
- After the mixture has rested, pour it into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and make sure the raisins are distributed throughout.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. The pudding should be set but still slightly soft in the middle.
- Once baked, remove the bread pudding from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This will help it firm up a bit more.
- Serve warm, optionally drizzled with a sauce of your choice, such as caramel sauce, or enjoy it plain. It can also be served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Tips
- Choose the right bread: Day-old or slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard more effectively without becoming too mushy.
- Customize your pudding: Feel free to experiment with add-ins like chocolate chips, different nuts, or swap raisins for dried cranberries.
- Don't rush the soaking process: Letting the bread sit in the custard for 10-15 minutes ensures maximum flavor absorption and a perfectly moist texture.
- Check for doneness: A knife inserted in the center should come out clean, with the pudding slightly jiggly in the middle.
- Serve warm for the best experience: While delicious at room temperature, bread pudding is most enjoyable when served slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 95mg
