The Coziest Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe

Nestled in my grandmother’s weathered cookbook, this old-fashioned bread pudding recipe whispers comfort and nostalgia.

Her kitchen always smelled like warm memories and sweet promise.

Crusty bread chunks soaked in rich custard create a dessert that hugs your soul with traditional flavors.

Simple ingredients dance together, turning ordinary pantry staples into something magical.

Soft, custardy texture melts beneath a silky vanilla sauce that feels like a culinary embrace.

Every bite connects you to generations of home cooking wisdom.

Why Grandma’s Bread Pudding Is a Classic

• Comfort Food Champion: A nostalgic dessert that wraps you in warm, delicious memories of grandma's kitchen with its classic taste and heartwarming texture.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Transforms basic pantry staples like bread, milk, and eggs into a luxurious dessert that feels like a gourmet treat without complicated techniques.
• Quick Family Crowd-Pleaser: Delivers a rich, satisfying dessert that appeals to all ages, perfect for Sunday dinners, potlucks, or impromptu family gatherings with minimal preparation effort.
• Budget-Friendly Indulgence: Creates an impressive dessert using affordable ingredients, making it an economical way to enjoy a decadent sweet without breaking the bank.

Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding

• Bread Cubes: A classic, day-old bread that provides the hearty foundation for this comforting dessert.
• Raisins: Sweet, chewy dried fruits that add bursts of natural sweetness throughout the pudding.

• Milk, Butter: A rich, creamy combination that softens the bread and creates a luxurious texture.

• Sugar, Brown Sugar: Natural sweeteners that caramelize and provide depth of flavor.
• Eggs: Binding agents that help create a smooth, custard-like consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: A classic flavoring that adds warm, aromatic notes to the dessert.
• Nutmeg: A warm, slightly sweet spice that complements the pudding's overall flavor profile.

• Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: A sweet base that creates a rich, caramel-like sauce.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps create a smooth sauce texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, sweet flavoring to the sauce.

How to Make Grandma’s Bread Pudding Recipe

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350F. Generously coat a baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Soak Bread Chunks

• Bread cubes
• Raisins
• Milk
• Butter

Tear bread into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl with raisins. Heat milk and butter in a saucepan until butter melts completely.

Pour warm mixture over bread and let it absorb liquid for 10 minutes, allowing bread to become wonderfully soft and saturated.

Step 3: Create Pudding Base

• Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Nutmeg

Whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla, and nutmeg until smooth.

Fold this mixture into the soaked bread, ensuring everything is evenly combined and no dry spots remain.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Transfer pudding mixture to prepared baking dish.

Slide into preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. The pudding should look golden and set in the center, with a slight wobble when gently shaken.

Step 5: Craft Decadent Vanilla Sauce

• Butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Heavy cream

Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat until mixture transforms into a rich, glossy sauce that bubbles gently.

Step 6: Finish Sauce

Remove sauce from heat and stir in vanilla extract. The sauce will become silky and fragrant.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop warm pudding into serving dishes. Drizzle generously with vanilla sauce.

Enjoy this comforting dessert while it’s still warm and inviting.

Tips for Baking Perfect Bread Pudding

• Soak bread cubes thoroughly in milk mixture to ensure a soft, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Use day-old bread for better absorption and a more substantial pudding consistency that holds together perfectly.
• Enhance flavor by adding a pinch of cinnamon or substituting raisins with chocolate chips for a delightful twist.
• Allow pudding to rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier without falling apart.
• Keep vanilla sauce warm when serving to maintain its smooth, silky consistency and maximize delicious flavor absorption.

Ways to Change Up This Vanilla Bread Pudding

• Fruit-Packed Bread Pudding: Replace raisins with a mix of diced apples, peaches, or berries for a fresh, fruity version.
• Chocolate Lover's Delight: Swap half the bread cubes with chocolate chunks and add cocoa powder to the milk mixture for a rich chocolate experience.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use gluten-free bread and substitute regular milk with almond or oat milk to create a celiac-friendly dessert.
• Low-Sugar Option: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use whole wheat bread for a healthier, lower-calorie alternative that still tastes amazing.

What Pairs Well with Bread Pudding and Sauce

• Pair Rich Dessert Wines: Select sweet fortified wines like port or madeira that complement the bread pudding's warm, comforting flavors and match its rich, creamy texture.
• Create Cinnamon Coffee Companion: Brew a hot, aromatic cinnamon-spiced coffee that echoes the nutmeg notes in the pudding and provides a warm, complementary drinking experience.
• Enhance with Caramel Liqueur: Serve a small shot of smooth caramel liqueur alongside the dessert, which will highlight the vanilla sauce's sweetness and add a luxurious adult twist to the classic comfort dish.
• Garnish with Vanilla Ice Cream: Top the warm bread pudding with a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding extra creamy richness to each bite.

Best Storage for Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and absorption of other food odors.

Wrap individual portions or the entire pudding in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing the vanilla sauce separately.

Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until warmed through. Add a splash of milk to restore moisture if needed.

Preheat oven to 350F. Cover the pudding with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely.

FAQs

• What ingredients can I use if I don't have raisins?

You can substitute raisins with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.

• Can I make this bread pudding ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the bread pudding a day in advance. Bake it, cool completely, and refrigerate. Reheat in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes before serving and warm the vanilla sauce separately.

• Is this recipe suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

The traditional recipe contains eggs, milk, and butter, so it’s not vegan or dairy-free. However, you can explore dairy-free milk alternatives and egg substitutes to make it more accommodating.

Grandmas Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Grandma’s old-fashioned bread pudding whisks nostalgic comfort straight from her Southern kitchen to your plate. Silky custard-soaked bread melts with warm vanilla sauce, promising a sweet journey through cherished family memories you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Bread Pudding Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (8 slices) white bread
• 2 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Binding Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter

Vanilla Sauce Ingredients:

Base Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Creamy Components:

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Flavor Enhancer:

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 1.5-quart casserole dish to ensure smooth release.
2. Scatter bread cubes and raisins in a spacious mixing bowl. Heat milk and butter in a saucepan until butter melts completely, approximately 4-7 minutes. Gently pour warm liquid over bread mixture and allow 10 minutes for thorough absorption.
3. Incorporate sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and nutmeg into the soaked bread, mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed. Transfer the cohesive pudding blend into the prepared casserole dish.
4. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. Look for a golden surface and firm center, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick insertion.
5. While pudding bakes, craft the vanilla sauce by combining butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and heavy whipping cream in a saucepan. Maintain medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches a boiling consistency, roughly 5-8 minutes.
6. Remove sauce from heat and fold in vanilla extract, creating a rich, glossy topping.
7. Serve pudding warm, cascading the silky vanilla sauce generously over each portion for a decadent dessert experience.

Notes

• Choose day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche, challah, or French bread for the best texture and absorption of the milk mixture.
• Swap raisins with dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips to customize the pudding’s flavor profile.
• Use gluten-free bread and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Prepare the pudding mixture the night before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making day-of preparation easier.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg