Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

In this post, you will learn how to make a classic old-fashioned bread pudding, a traditional recipe that brings the cozy flavor of grandma’s kitchen to your table. This pudding is soft, aromatic, and perfect served with sweet vanilla sauce.

Ingredients for Bread Pudding

6 cups stale bread, cut into cubes (preferably French or white bread)

4 cups warm milk

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raisins or dried fruit (optional)

4 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions for Bread Pudding

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Place the cubed stale bread into a large mixing bowl.

Warm the milk until just warm, not boiling.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.

Slowly add the warm milk to the egg mixture, stirring constantly to avoid cooking the eggs.

Pour the mixture over the bread cubes, pressing gently to soak the bread. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

If using, add raisins or dried fruit and mix gently.

Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture and stir lightly.

Pour the pudding into the prepared baking dish and bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and set on top.

Let cool slightly before serving.

Ingredients for Vanilla Sauce

1 cup milk

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

4 egg yolks

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

Instructions for Vanilla Sauce

Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just starting to simmer.

In a bowl, mix sugar and cornstarch.

In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks.

Slowly add a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly (temper the eggs).

Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture.

Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened (5-7 minutes). Do not boil.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.

Serve warm over the bread pudding.

Tips for Perfect Bread Pudding

Use stale bread for best texture.

If bread is fresh, dry it out in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

Add nuts like walnuts or almonds for extra flavor and crunch.

Serve with vanilla ice cream for an extra rich dessert experience.

This recipe brings warmth and tradition to your table and is perfect for any season, especially cozy cold days. Try it and enjoy the taste of homemade comfort food!