Nana’s Cozy Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce Recipe

When sweet memories blend with warm cinnamon and classic bread pudding recipe techniques, magic happens in the kitchen.

Generations of home cooks have cherished this nostalgic dessert passed down through decades.

Soft bread cubes soaked in rich custard create a comforting treat that melts in your mouth.

Creamy vanilla sauce drizzled over the top adds an irresistible layer of decadence.

Each spoonful brings back memories of family gatherings and weekend afternoons.

The aroma of baking bread and warm spices fills the entire house with pure happiness.

This simple yet elegant dessert promises to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 502 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients For Grandmas Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

• Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale bread absorbs custard perfectly and creates delightful texture.
• Raisins: Adds sweet bursts of flavor and traditional pudding charm throughout the dessert.

• Whole Milk: Provides rich, creamy foundation for pudding's luxurious consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers balanced sweetness and helps create smooth custard texture.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces deep caramel undertones and enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create silky, tender pudding structure.
• Unsalted Butter: Contributes richness and helps develop golden, tender crust.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic notes throughout the dessert.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice that complements sweet ingredients.
• Ground Nutmeg: Brings subtle, nutty warmth and traditional dessert complexity.

• Butter: Creates smooth, velvety sauce base with rich flavor.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture to accompanying sauce.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances sauce with classic, aromatic sweetness.
• Salt: Balances and heightens overall flavor profile.

Tools To Bake Grandmas Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking custard ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending eggs, milk, and spices evenly.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal for spreading bread cubes and custard.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Small saucepan: Used for creating creamy vanilla sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix and press bread into custard.
• Sharp knife: Needed for cutting bread into uniform cubes.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for bread preparation.

Steps For Grandmas Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

• Bread Soaking

Create a cozy base by placing soft bread cubes in a buttered baking dish. Pour a luscious custard mixture over the bread, allowing it to soak up all the delicious flavors. Let the bread rest and absorb the creamy goodness for a few moments.

• Raisin Embrace

Sprinkle plump raisins across the pudding, gently nestling them into the bread for bursts of sweet surprise. These little gems will add delightful pockets of fruity magic throughout the dessert.

• Oven Magic

Slide the baking dish into a warm oven, letting the heat transform the ingredients into a golden, puffy masterpiece. Watch as the top turns a beautiful amber color and the center becomes perfectly set.

• Luxurious Sauce

While the pudding bakes, craft a silky vanilla sauce in a small pan. Combine butter, cream, and sugar, whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened. The sauce will drape over the pudding like a sweet, creamy blanket.

• Serving Delight

Scoop the warm, custardy pudding into bowls and cascade the velvety vanilla sauce over the top. Each spoonful promises a comforting blend of soft bread, sweet raisins, and rich, creamy sauce that feels like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen.

Tips That Bring Out The Best In Grandmas Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

• Bread Pudding Mastery: Pro Tips and Delicious Twists
• Bread Selection Magic: Choose day-old challah, brioche, or French bread for maximum custardy richness. Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard better, creating a more luxurious texture.
• Texture Perfection Technique: Press bread gently into the custard mixture, allowing each cube to soak up maximum flavor. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes before baking to ensure deep, even absorption.
• Dietary Flexibility: For gluten-free lovers, swap regular bread with gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut bread. Dairy-free folks can use almond milk and coconut cream instead of traditional dairy products.
• Flavor Adventure Remix: Experiment with mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts. Swap cinnamon for cardamom or add orange zest for a bright, unexpected twist. Bourbon or rum can replace vanilla extract for an adult-friendly version that adds depth and warmth to the dessert.

Ideas For Serving Grandmas Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair this bread pudding with a steaming cup of coffee or hot tea for a delightful morning treat that warms both body and soul.
• Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Serve this dessert during family gatherings, garnishing with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
• Elegant Dinner Dessert: Present the bread pudding on a beautiful ceramic plate, drizzling the vanilla sauce in an artistic pattern and adding a fresh mint leaf for a sophisticated touch.
• Nostalgic Comfort Sharing: Create a memorable experience by sharing stories of family recipes while enjoying this classic dessert that connects generations through its rich, comforting flavors.

How To Store Grandmas Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or sealed lid to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in microwave for 30-45 seconds, or reheat entire dish in oven at 325F for 15-20 minutes. Add fresh vanilla sauce after reheating to restore original delicious texture and flavor.
• Freezing Option: Wrap bread pudding tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil before freezing. Stays fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain soft consistency.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare bread pudding mixture up to 12 hours before baking. Cover and refrigerate unbaked dish, then bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before placing in oven. Allows flavors to develop and simplifies meal preparation for busy cooks.

Heartwarming Grandmas Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Grandma’s old-fashioned bread pudding with vanilla sauce brings nostalgic comfort to family gatherings. Warm, custardy layers of bread meld with sweet vanilla sauce, creating a classic dessert generations have cherished.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (350g) bread, day-old, cubed (French bread, brioche, or challah)
• 4 cups (960 ml) milk, whole
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup (115 g) butter, unsalted, melted
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar, brown
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar, granulated
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon, ground
• ¼ tsp nutmeg, ground (optional)
• ½ cup (80 g) raisins (optional)
• ½ cup (115 g) butter, unsalted
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar, granulated
• 1 cup (240 ml) cream, heavy or half-and-half
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Position the oven rack to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Bread Foundation: Arrange bread cubes evenly across the dish, creating a uniform base that will absorb the custard mixture.
3. Custard Creation: Whisk milk, sugars, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth, ensuring no lumps remain and all ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
4. Absorption and Infusion: Pour the custard over bread cubes, gently pressing with a spatula to guarantee complete liquid absorption. Optional: Sprinkle raisins throughout the mixture, allowing them to nestle naturally.
5. Resting and Soaking: Allow the pudding to rest 10-15 minutes, enabling bread to fully soak and develop rich, complex flavors before baking.
6. Baking Transformation: Place the dish in the preheated oven, baking 45-50 minutes until the surface achieves a golden-brown crust and the center sets completely.
7. Vanilla Sauce Preparation: Simultaneously, craft the sauce by melting butter in a saucepan, then incorporating sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk continuously until the mixture reaches a luxurious, silky consistency.
8. Serving Finale: Remove pudding from oven, let rest briefly, then serve warm with a generous drizzle of velvety vanilla sauce cascading over each portion.

Notes

• Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for maximum absorption and better texture, preventing soggy or overly wet pudding.
• Gentle Soaking Technique: Allow bread cubes to rest in custard for 10-15 minutes, enabling complete liquid absorption and creating a more consistent, creamy result.
• Prevent Burning Tips: Cover with aluminum foil if top browns too quickly, ensuring even cooking and preventing excessive browning.
• Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute dairy milk with almond or coconut milk for lactose-free version; use gluten-free bread for celiac-friendly alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 502
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg