Easy Bread Pudding Recipe

Introduction

If you’re searching for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal effort and ingredients, this Easy Bread Pudding Recipe is the perfect choice. Its custardy softness paired with a golden, slightly crisp top delivers both nostalgia and undeniable flavor, making it a classic treat that never goes out of style. It’s ideal for using up leftover bread and converting it into a show-stopping dish worthy of any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Bread Pudding

This recipe stands out for its simplicity and versatility. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a dessert that tastes like it took hours to prepare. The magic happens as the bread soaks up the cinnamon-spiced custard and bakes into a pillowy, warm treat—delicious on its own or dressed up with a drizzle of vanilla sauce or a scoop of cold ice cream.

The Secret to Silky Bread Pudding

The secret to achieving the perfect texture lies in letting your bread soak long enough to absorb the custard. For an extra layer of flavor, use a mix of both fresh and stale bread. Before baking, sprinkle a touch of sugar and cinnamon on top for that signature golden crust. This pudding shines with raisins or berries sprinkled throughout or can be kept simple—it’s completely up to you.

How to Serve Easy Bread Pudding

Enjoy it warm straight from the oven, dusted with powdered sugar and a dash of nutmeg. For special occasions or added indulgence, pair it with a caramel or vanilla sauce. Bread pudding also makes an excellent brunch addition when served with fresh fruit.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes around 6 generous servings. Each serving contains approximately 230-270 calories, depending on add-ins and toppings. Bread pudding brings comfort and warmth, so enjoy as an occasional sweet treat.

Bread Pudding Recipe Recap

This Easy Bread Pudding Recipe delivers all the nostalgic flavor and comfort of traditional bread pudding, with the bonus of quick assembly and flexible ingredients. Its naturally crowd-pleasing character makes it a go-to dessert for both busy weeknights and special gatherings.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly create an organized, categorized shopping list for efficient grocery runs—perfect for streamlined meal planning and less kitchen guesswork!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or a similar size casserole dish.
2. Place bread cubes in the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring all bread is moistened. Gently press bread down into the custard using a spatula or the back of a spoon.
5. If using, sprinkle raisins evenly over the top and gently fold them in.
6. Let the mixture sit for 10–15 minutes to allow bread to soak up the custard.
7. Drizzle melted butter over the mixture. Optionally, mix 2 tablespoons sugar with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle generously on top for an extra-sweet crust.
8. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the pudding is set and the top is golden brown. Serve warm, with optional sauce or ice cream.

Weekly Meal Planning

Bread pudding isn’t just for dessert—it also works as a breakfast or snack, making it a great meal prep staple. Save and schedule this recipe to easily add it to your week, with smart shopping lists that match all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredients needed across all your recipes
– Groups grocery items by store location for faster shopping
– Reduces food waste by consolidating overlapping ingredients
– Streamlines your weekly prep so you spend less time in the kitchen

Pro tip: When prepping your week, schedule your recipes and see how common ingredients (like eggs or milk) add up, ensuring you only buy exactly what you need.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour