Old-fashioned bread pudding is a timeless dessert, loved for its warm, custardy texture and rich flavor. Made from simple ingredients like day-old bread, milk, eggs, and spices, it’s a dessert that makes the most of leftovers and transforms them into something utterly delicious. To take it to the next level, we’re serving it with a luxurious vanilla sauce that adds just the right amount of sweetness and creaminess.
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding:
- 6 cups day-old bread (French bread, brioche, or any sturdy bread), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 ½ cups whole milk (or half-and-half for a richer pudding)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for greasing the baking dish)
For the Vanilla Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt