Delicious Homemade Bread Pudding Recipe

Bread pudding is a timeless dessert that combines the comforting flavors of custard and bread, often enhanced with spices and dried fruits. This particular recipe results in a rich, moist bread pudding with a golden-brown crust and a sweet, gooey interior.

Ingredients:

6 cups of day-old bread, cubed
2 cups of milk
1 cup of heavy cream
3/4 cup of sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1/2 cup of raisins (optional)
1/4 cup of melted butter
Caramel sauce or vanilla ice cream (for serving)

Instructions:

Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the cubed bread evenly in the dish.
Make the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
Combine: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring that all pieces are thoroughly soaked. Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the custard.
Add Raisins and Butter: If using raisins, sprinkle them evenly over the soaked bread. Drizzle the melted butter on top.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Serve: Let the bread pudding cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Tips for Perfect Bread Pudding:

Bread Choice: Use day-old or slightly stale bread to help it absorb the custard better. Baguette, brioche, or challah work great.
Spices: Adjust the spices to your taste. You can add a pinch of cloves or cardamom for a different flavor profile.
Add-ins: Feel free to add nuts, chocolate chips, or other dried fruits for extra texture and flavor.