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This old-fashioned homemade bread pudding is a favorite in our family. Italian bread is soaked in a milk and spice mixture before being baked and drizzled with a made-from-scratch caramel sauce. It’s then served with a dollop of whipped cream. Easy and delicious, you’ll love it.
For more classic recipes, make sure you also try our monkey bread and our cinnamon roll monkey bread, too. Readers also rave about our easy blueberry cobbler.
MORE: Blackberry Cobbler | Monkey Bread Muffins
Bread Pudding Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding:
- One loaf Italian bread, cubed
- 5 eggs
- 4 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
For the Caramel Sauce:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoon butter
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Substitutions
There are lots of options when making this simple Southern favorite from scratch.
You can add in pumpkin, apple, chocolate, custard, white chocolate, blueberries, peach, pineapple, pecans, or raisins.
You can drizzle with chocolate or sprinkle with coconut before serving.
For adults, you could make a bourbon sauce or rum sauce to top your dish with.
You could also use egg nog instead of milk.
You could also serve with a scoop of cool, creamy vanilla ice cream instead of whipped cream.
What is the Best Bread for Bread Pudding?
You’ll want a sturdy bread like the Italian bread we’re using in this version.
You could also use brioche, French bread, or challah.
How to Make Bread Pudding
BEGIN: Prepare a 9×13 dish by spraying with nonstick spray.
STEP ONE: Spread the cubed bread in an even layer in the prepared dish.
STEP TWO: In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
STEP THREE: Pour this mixture over the bread and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
STEP FOUR: While bread is sitting to soak up the milk mixture preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
STEP FIVE: Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the casserole.
How to Bake Bread Pudding
STEP SIX: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top is set.
Making the Homemade Caramel Sauce
STEP ONE: Mix the sugar, milk, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
STEP TWO: Cook for about 5-7 minutes whisking intermittently as it thickens.
STEP THREE: Add the vanilla and cook another minute. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Do You Eat Bread Pudding Hot or Cold?
It’s a personal preference – I love it warm, served fresh and soon after baking.
You can also serve it cold.
Leftovers should be stored in the fridge for two to three days in an airtight container.
Sweet and satisfying, this rich, delicious, homemade bread pudding is an old-fashioned dessert just like grandma makes. Simple and quick to make from scratch, cubed Italian bread is soaked in a cinnamon and spice milk mixture before being baked. It’s then drizzled with caramel sauce and a dollop of whipped cream before being served for dessert, breakfast or brunch. You’ll love this Southern favorite!
More Recipes You’ll Love
BREAKFAST: PB Monkey Bread | Monkey Bread Muffins
QUICK BREADS: Lemon Blueberry Bread | Coffee Cake
LOAVES: Carrot Loaf | Chocolate Zucchini Loaf
Bread Pudding
Ingredients
Bread Pudding:
- One loaf Italian bread cubed (about 3 cups)
- 5 eggs
- 4 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
Caramel Sauce:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoon butter
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Bread Pudding:
- Prepare a 9x13 dish by spraying with nonstick spray
- Spread the cubed bread in an even layer in the prepared dish.
- In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Pour this mixture over the bread and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
- While bread is sitting to soak up the milk mixture preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the casserole.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top is set.
Caramel Sauce:
- Mix the sugar, milk, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes whisking intermittently as it thickens.
- Add the vanilla and cook another minute.
- Remove from heat and cool slightly.
I love this bread pudding, it’s so easy and delicious!