Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding: Warm Vanilla Comfort in Every Bite Recipe
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding is a warm, comforting dessert featuring soft cubes of white bread soaked in a rich vanilla custard with raisins. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious homemade caramel sauce, this nostalgic dish delivers cozy vanilla flavors and a tender texture in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Pudding
- 4 cups cubed white bread (approximately 8 slices, cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Caramel Sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the cubed white bread and raisins to evenly distribute the dried fruit throughout.
- Heat Milk and Butter: In a saucepan, gently heat the milk and softened butter together just until the butter melts completely. Remove from heat and pour this warm mixture over the bread cubes, allowing the bread to soak for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Mix Custard Ingredients: Add the lightly beaten eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg into the soaked bread mixture. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients into a uniform custard base.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Grease a casserole dish that holds at least 1 ½ quarts, then transfer the bread and custard mixture into it, spreading it evenly for even baking.
- Bake the Pudding: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. The pudding is done when the top is golden brown and the center is firm—test with a knife inserted into the middle; it should come out clean.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: While the pudding bakes, combine butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugars dissolve and the mixture thickens and begins to boil, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy whipping cream until smooth.
- Serve: Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly before serving. Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over each portion for a rich finishing touch.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for better texture as it soaks the custard without becoming mushy.
- Raisins can be substituted with other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dates according to preference.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives.
- Make sure not to overbake to keep the pudding moist and tender.
- Leftover bread pudding can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.
Keywords: bread pudding, old fashioned dessert, vanilla bread pudding, homemade caramel sauce, cozy desserts, classic American dessert
