Bread Pudding Recipe

Decadent Bread Pudding: A Timeless Comfort Food

Introduction

Bread pudding, a dish steeped in history and cherished across generations, epitomizes comfort food at its finest. This traditional dessert, made with slightly stale bread and a rich custard, transforms humble ingredients into a dish that is both decadent and satisfying. Whether served for breakfast or dessert, bread pudding’s warm, custardy texture and sweet, spiced flavor make it a beloved staple in many households.

What Is Bread Pudding?

Bread pudding has roots that stretch back centuries, with its origins shrouded in the mists of time. In 13th-century England, it was known as “poor man’s pudding,” a testament to the resourcefulness of cooks who refused to let any ingredient go to waste. By repurposing stale bread and combining it with milk, eggs, sugar, and spices, they created a dish that was both economical and delicious. Today, bread pudding remains a testament to the ingenuity of those early cooks, offering a way to turn day-old bread into a rich, comforting treat.

Ingredients and Their Roles

The beauty of bread pudding lies in its simplicity. The basic ingredients are often already in your pantry, making it an easy dish to whip up without a special trip to the store. Here’s what you’ll need:

Day-old bread: The foundation of the dish, providing structure and texture.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps achieve a golden, crispy top.
Raisins (optional): Offer bursts of sweetness and chewiness.
Milk: Creates the custard base, soaking into the bread to make it tender and moist.
White sugar: Sweetens the custard.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide a creamy texture.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its sweet, aromatic notes.

Best Bread for Bread Pudding

Choosing the right bread is crucial for making an exceptional bread pudding. Opt for a hearty, slightly stale loaf that can absorb the custard without becoming mushy. Here are some excellent choices:

Challah: A rich egg bread that adds depth of flavor.
Brioche: Its buttery texture makes for an indulgent pudding.
Sourdough: Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
French bread: Sturdy enough to hold up to the custard.

Any bread that works well for French toast will also be ideal for bread pudding. The slight staleness of the bread allows it to soak up more custard, ensuring a perfectly moist and flavorful dish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bread Pudding

Making bread pudding is straightforward and requires just a few simple steps. Here’s a quick overview:

Prepare the Bread: Start by tearing your day-old bread into small pieces and placing them in an 8-inch square baking pan. This allows the custard to penetrate evenly, ensuring every bite is full of flavor.
Add Butter and Raisins: Drizzle melted butter over the bread pieces and sprinkle raisins on top if you’re using them. The butter helps achieve a golden, crispy top, while the raisins add bursts of sweetness.
Make the Custard: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, beaten eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until well combined. This mixture will soak into the bread, creating the creamy base of the pudding.
Combine and Bake: Pour the custard mixture over the bread, pressing down lightly with a fork to ensure all the bread pieces are saturated. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and springs back when lightly pressed.

Serving Suggestions

Bread pudding is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your bread pudding experience:

Breakfast Delight: Serve warm bread pudding with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Pair it with a cup of coffee for a comforting breakfast treat.
Dessert Indulgence: Top a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. The contrast of hot pudding and cold ice cream creates a delightful dessert experience.
Festive Flair: For a holiday twist, add dried cranberries or chopped nuts to the pudding before baking. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Bread pudding is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored and reheated for later enjoyment. Here’s how:

Refrigeration: Allow the pudding to cool completely, then cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Freezing: Bread pudding can be frozen for up to three months. If you plan to freeze it, bake the pudding in a foil pan. Once cooled, wrap the pan tightly in plastic wrap and then in a layer of foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: To reheat, place the bread pudding in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Customizing Your Bread Pudding

One of the joys of bread pudding is its adaptability. Here are a few variations to try:

Chocolate Bread Pudding: Replace the raisins with chocolate chips for a decadent chocolate version. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the top before serving.
Fruit-Filled Bread Pudding: Add fresh or dried fruits like apples, berries, or apricots to the bread mixture before baking. The fruit will add a burst of flavor and texture.
Savory Bread Pudding: For a savory twist, omit the sugar and cinnamon, and add ingredients like cheese, herbs, and cooked vegetables. This version makes a great brunch dish or side for dinner.

Community Tips and Praise

This bread pudding recipe has garnered praise from many home cooks for its simplicity and delicious results. Here are a few testimonials:

cmadd: “I really like this recipe as written. It is easy and I always have ingredients on hand. I love this for breakfast too! Thanks for sharing … it is delicious!”
sweettea: “Wow, this was so good. I just made it tonight because I had a loaf of stale sourdough bread and I couldn’t bear to keep looking at it. This recipe is great, and I added some cranberries I had in the fridge instead of raisins.”
Meagan Kellermann-Brown: “It turned out just perfect. We used day-old Italian bread from the bakery and semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of raisins. We didn’t change anything else about the recipe.”

Conclusion

Bread pudding is a timeless dish that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. Its humble beginnings as a way to use up stale bread have evolved into a beloved dessert that is both versatile and delicious. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with different flavors and add-ins, bread pudding is sure to become a favorite in your home. So next time you find yourself with leftover bread, give this recipe a try and enjoy the simple pleasure of homemade bread pudding.