Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
This classic dessert is a nostalgic treat, with rich, custardy bread pudding topped with a warm, sweet vanilla sauce. A comforting favorite for family gatherings or a cozy dessert any time of the year.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes (pudding) + 8 minutes (sauce)
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Bread Pudding:
- 4 cups (8 slices) cubed white bread
- ½ cup raisins (optional, for sweetness and texture)
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- For the Vanilla Sauce:
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 1.5-quart casserole dish or baking dish.
- Combine Bread and Milk Mixture: Place cubed bread and raisins in a large bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk and ¼ cup butter, stirring until the butter melts (about 4-7 minutes). Pour the warm milk mixture over the bread and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the bread to soak.
- Add Pudding Ingredients: Stir in sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Bake the Pudding: Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the pudding is set in the center and lightly golden. A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out clean.
- Cook the Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and heavy whipping cream. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and begins to boil (about 5-8 minutes).
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Serve: Spoon the warm pudding into bowls or onto plates and generously drizzle the vanilla sauce over the top. Serve immediately for the ultimate indulgence.
Notes
- If you prefer a richer pudding, you can use whole milk instead of 2% or add a bit more butter.
- Add extra spices like cinnamon or allspice to the pudding for a unique twist.
- If you prefer not to use raisins, substitute with chopped nuts or fresh berries.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1/8 of the pudding
- Calories: ~330 kcal
- Sugar: ~40 g
- Sodium: ~120 mg
- Fat: ~18 g
- Saturated Fat: ~10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~42 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
- Protein: ~5 g
- Cholesterol: ~65 mg