Bread Pudding

4.7
(4,278)

My family loves bread pudding so when I make this recipe, I double it and bake it in a 9x13-inch dish. It's easy to make with basic pantry ingredients and some day-old bread. Delicious for breakfast or dessert with milk poured over the top or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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A plated portion of bread pudding, topped with cinnamon and served with coffee, with a baking dish of bread pudding in the background
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
12
Yield:
1 (8-inch square) pan

Every home cook needs a go-to bread pudding recipe. This traditional version is decadent, delicious, and easy to make with basic ingredients. It will quickly find a permanent home in your recipe box.

closeup of bread pudding with chocolate chips in a glass baking dish

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What Is Bread Pudding?

Bread pudding is a dessert made with slightly stale bread and custard. The no-waste dish is so old, nobody knows quite when or where it originated. People in 13th-century England called it "poor man's pudding" because the cooks who made it couldn't afford to throw any ingredients away.

How to Make Bread Pudding

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this top-rated bread pudding recipe:

1. Place bread cubes in a baking pan, then drizzle them with melted butter. Sprinkle raisins on top, if desired.
2. Mix the remaining ingredients together. Pour the mixture over the bread.
3. Bake in a preheated oven until the bread is golden brown.

Best Bread for Bread Pudding

The best bread for bread pudding is a slightly stale loaf that would otherwise go to waste. Of course, some breads are better suited for bread pudding than others.

Opt for a hearty and sturdy loaf that can stand up to the rich custard without falling apart. Challah, brioche, sourdough, or French bread are all fantastic choices. Basically, any bread that would work well for French toast will also work well for bread pudding.

How to Store Bread Pudding

Allow the bread pudding to cool completely after baking. Cover tightly or transfer to a shallow, airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can You Freeze Bread Pudding?

Yes, you can freeze bread pudding for up to three months. It's best to bake the bread pudding in a foil pan if you plan to freeze it. Allow it to cool, then wrap the whole thing tightly in a layer of storage wrap and at least one layer of foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Freeze any extra sauce separately.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I really like this recipe as written," says cmadd. "It is easy and I always have ingredients on hand. I love this for breakfast too! Thanks for sharing … it is delicious!"

"Wow, this was so good," raves sweettea. "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."

"It turned out just perfect," according to Meagan Kellermann-Brown. "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."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 6 slices day-old bread, torn into small pieces

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • ½ cup raisins (Optional)

  • 2 cups milk

  • ¾ cup white sugar

  • 4 large eggs, beaten

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

    Ingredients to make bread pudding

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Place bread pieces into an 8-inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter over bread and sprinkle raisins over top.

    A square baking dish of cubed bread topped with raisins drizzled with melted butter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Whisk milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla together in a medium mixing bowl until well combined.

    A glass bowl of milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla being whisked together

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Pour mixture over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until all bread is covered and soaking up the liquid.

    A baking dish with cubed bread and raisins, with a fork pressing down cubed bread into milk-egg mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and the top springs back when lightly pressed, about 45 minutes.

    A plated portion of bread pudding, topped with cinnamon and served with coffee, with a baking dish of bread pudding in the background

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Cook’s Note

I like to use a rich egg bread or a moist white loaf in this recipe.

6,597 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

165 Calories
5g Fat
27g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 165
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 140mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 5g 9%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 81mg 6%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 150mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.