Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Welcome to a nostalgic journey into the world of classic desserts with our Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding topped with a luscious vanilla sauce. This beloved recipe brings comfort and warmth to any table, pairing the simplicity of bread with the elegance of a sweet, creamy topping.

Why This Recipe is a Must-Try

Comfort Food at Its Best: Bread pudding delivers a satisfying texture and rich flavors that evoke memories of home-cooked meals.
Versatility: This recipe can be customized with various bread types and additions, making it perfect for using up leftovers.
Elegant Yet Simple: The vanilla sauce adds a gourmet touch to this humble dessert, making it suitable for both casual and formal occasions.

Ingredients Overview

For the Bread Pudding:

Stale Bread (white, French, or brioche): 4 cups cubed
Large Eggs: 4
Milk: 2 cups
Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
Unsalted Butter (melted): ¼ cup
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon
Ground Nutmeg: ¼ teaspoon
Optional: Raisins or dried currants: ¼ cup
A pinch of salt

For the Vanilla Sauce:

Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick)
Heavy Cream: 1 cup
Granulated Sugar: ½ cup
Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Prepare the Bread Pudding:

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Bread: Cube the bread and place it in a large mixing bowl. For a crispier top, lightly toast the bread first.
Mix the Custard: In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Combine: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring all pieces are soaked. Stir in raisins or currants if using.
Bake: Transfer to a greased 9x9 inch baking dish and bake for 45-55 minutes until set and golden. A knife inserted should come out clean.

Make the Vanilla Sauce:

Cook the Sauce: While the pudding bakes, melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add heavy cream and sugar, stirring until smooth.
Finish the Sauce: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Serving:

Cool and Serve: Let the bread pudding cool slightly, then slice and serve warm drizzled with vanilla sauce.

Tips for Perfect Bread Pudding

Bread Type: The type of bread used can affect the texture; denser bread will give a firmer pudding.
Custard Soak: Allow the bread to soak in the custard mixture for at least 10 minutes before baking for richer flavor.
Sauce Consistency: For a thicker sauce, reduce the cream slightly before adding sugar and butter.

This Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce recipe is more than just dessert; it’s a heartfelt nod to traditional baking and a testament to the timeless appeal of comforting sweets. Perfect for any season, this dish will bring smiles and warmth to your dining table.