Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
This Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce features soft cubes of bread soaked in a rich vanilla custard and baked until golden brown. Finished with a silky homemade vanilla sauce, every bite is creamy, warm, and full of comforting flavor. The recipe is beginner-friendly, perfect for using leftover bread, and ideal for holidays, brunches, or family dinners. It pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream. Classic, comforting, and incredibly delicious, this dessert is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding
- 8 cups day-old French bread or brioche, cubed
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
For the Vanilla Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle raisins over the bread if using.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and melted butter.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently so all the bread absorbs the liquid.
- Allow the mixture to rest for 10–15 minutes before baking.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- While the pudding bakes, prepare the vanilla sauce by combining butter, sugar, heavy cream, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely, stirring constantly.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Serve the warm bread pudding generously drizzled with the warm vanilla sauce.
Notes
- Day-old bread absorbs the custard best.
- Brioche creates an extra-rich pudding.
- Do not skip the resting time before baking.
- Raisins are optional but add natural sweetness.
- Fresh vanilla enhances the sauce's flavor.
- Avoid overbaking to keep the pudding moist.
- Serve the sauce warm for the best consistency.
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly.