Craving a cozy, comforting dessert that feels like a warm hug? This Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce recipe delivers sweet satisfaction. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this easy, decadent treat in little time. Keep reading for tips on making this beloved classic at home.
What Kind of Bread Works Best for This Recipe?
The key to amazing bread pudding is choosing bread that will soak up the rich custard base while baking up with a tender, cake-like texture. For best results, look for a bread with a close, fine crumb – not big, airy holes. Brioche, challah, and French bread all fit the bill beautifully. The bread should also be a little stale, since that prevents it from getting too soggy in the custard.
What’s the Trick to Smooth, Creamy Bread Pudding?
A great bread pudding custard should coat the bread with a silky egg mixture seasoned with vanilla and spices. Be sure to bring all the dairy ingredients to room temperature before mixing. Whisking the eggs well before adding the other custard ingredients also helps things emulsify properly for a smooth texture. Lastly, allow the bread to soak for 20-30 minutes so it fully absorbs that lovely liquid.
How Do You Know When the Bread Pudding is Finished Baking?
This cozy dessert takes about an hour to bake until perfectly set. The top should turn golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center should come out mostly clean. The very center will still look moist since bread pudding shouldn’t dry out. Resist peeking too much during baking since exposure to cool air will cause it to deflate.
What Goes Well with Sweet Bread Pudding?
A drizzle of creamy vanilla sauce takes this comforting dessert over the top! The rich sauce soaks into the cushiony bread pudding, adding even more sweet decadence. Allow it to cool slightly so the sauce doesn’t melt away immediately. If wanted, top with whipped cream, chopped nuts, fresh berries or a dusting of cinnamon sugar for extra flair.
This sweet bread pudding pairs wonderfully with coffee, tea or even eggnog. Enjoy a spoonful on a crisp winter morning or after a big family meal. However you choose to savor it, this easy recipe delivers major comfort food joy!
Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce Recipe
Equipment Required:
- A 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) baking pan
- Mixing bowl
- Saucepan or small pot
Ingredients for Bread Pudding:
- Eggs, large: 5 (room temperature)
- Milk: 2 cups (474 ml), room temperature
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup (237 ml), room temperature
- Unsalted Butter, melted: 2 tablespoons (30 ml)
- Granulated Sugar: 1¼ cup (250 g)
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon (5 ml)
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Ground Nutmeg: ¼ teaspoon
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon
- Bread (day-old or stale, cubed): 16 oz. loaf
- Raisins (optional): 1 cup
Ingredients for Vanilla Sauce:
- Milk: ½ cup (118 ml)
- Heavy Cream: ¾ cup (177 ml)
- Granulated Sugar: ½ cup (100 g)
- Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons (57 g)
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon (10 g)
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons (10 ml)
Cooking Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, then blend in milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Add cubed bread (brioche, challah, or French bread) into the bowl, mixing gently with the spiced custard. Include raisins if desired.
- Let the mixture rest while preheating the oven to 350°F (177°C) for 20-30 minutes.
- Grease the baking dish with melted butter, then pour in the bread pudding mixture.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- For the sauce: Combine milk, cream, sugar, butter, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Heat and stir until thickened.
- Add vanilla extract to the sauce, then cool slightly.
- Serve the bread pudding warm, topped with the vanilla sauce.
Storage Tips:
- Bread Pudding: Cool completely, then store in
the fridge covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It lasts up to 5 days without the sauce. With sauce, consume within 2-3 days.
- Vanilla Sauce: Cool to room temperature, store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.
This bread pudding with vanilla sauce recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, making it an ideal treat for any occasion. With its straightforward instructions and common ingredients, it’s a must-try for anyone looking for a warm, comforting dessert.
