Description
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce is a warm, comforting dessert made from cubes of bread soaked in spiced custard and topped with a buttery vanilla sauce. It’s nostalgic, cozy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- Bread Pudding:
- 6 cups day-old bread, cubed (French, Italian, or sandwich bread)
- 2 cups milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup raisins or chopped nuts (optional)
- Vanilla Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Spread cubed bread evenly in the dish.
- In a bowl, whisk milk, eggs, sugars, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Pour custard over bread, pressing down slightly to soak. Let sit for 15 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours.
- Sprinkle with raisins or nuts if using. Bake for 45–55 minutes until golden and set.
- For sauce, combine butter, sugar, and cream in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until smooth and simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
- Serve pudding warm, drizzled with vanilla sauce.
Notes
- Use brioche or cinnamon raisin bread for extra richness.
- Add apples, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips for variation.
- Stir a splash of bourbon or rum into the sauce for an adult version.
- Make ahead by refrigerating assembled pudding overnight before baking.
- Freeze portions tightly wrapped and reheat as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
