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๐Ÿž Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce ๐Ÿ˜


Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Uses Stale Bread : Perfect for repurposing leftover bread into something extraordinary.
  2. Simple Ingredients : Just pantry staples like eggs, milk, sugar, and spices.
  3. Make-Ahead Friendly : Prep ahead and bake when ready—ideal for entertaining.
  4. Customizable : Add raisins, chocolate chips, or nuts for extra flair.
  5. Vanilla Sauce Magic : The rich, sweet drizzle takes it over the top.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Bread Pudding:

  • 6 cups cubed stale bread (French, challah, or brioche work best)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3 large eggs , lightly beaten
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional, but adds warmth)
  • Optional Mix-Ins : ½ cup raisins, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips

For the Vanilla Sauce:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) . Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Make the Custard

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  2. Add bread cubes and optional mix-ins; toss gently to coat. Let sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard.

Step 3: Bake

  1. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
  2. Bake for 40–45 minutes , until the top is golden brown and the center is set (a knife inserted should come out clean).

Step 4: Make the Vanilla Sauce

  1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, heavy cream, and butter. Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly (about 5 minutes).
  2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 5: Serve

  1. Drizzle warm vanilla sauce over slices of bread pudding. Serve warm for maximum comfort.