Ingredients
6 slices stale bread or about 4-5 cups broken bread pieces or cubes (such as French bread, buns, rolls, donuts, challah, or toast)
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon butter for buttering the dish
2 tablespoons melted butter for drizzling
4 beaten eggs
2 cups milk
¾ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
raisins
3 tablespoons butter salted or unsalted for the optional brown sugar butter drizzle
1 tablespoon brown sugar for the optional brown sugar butter drizzle
1 teaspoon vanilla extract for the optional brown sugar butter drizzle
1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream for the optional brown sugar butter drizzle
Instructions
1-Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter an 8-inch square baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter.
2-Break the bread: Break the bread into approximately 1-inch pieces and place them in the buttered dish.
3-Melt the butter: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over the bread pieces.
4-Prepare the egg mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the 4 beaten eggs, 2 cups milk, ¾ cup white sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until well blended.
5-Soak the bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring all pieces are coated or submerged to soak.
6-Bake the pudding: Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top springs back when touched lightly and a clean knife inserted into the center emerges clean.
7-Optional drizzle: For the optional drizzle, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan over high heat until browned, reduce heat to simmer, add 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream, whisk for 1-2 minutes, remove from heat, whisk in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and pour over the baked pudding before serving.
Last Step:
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🍞 Use stale or day-old bread for better custard absorption without sogginess. Dry fresh bread cubes in the oven if needed.
⏰ Prepare ahead by mixing and refrigerating overnight or bake then refrigerate.
❄️ Freezes well up to 2 months; thaw in refrigerator and reheat gently.
🥄 Leftovers keep covered in fridge for up to 5 days.
🍯 Sauces like brown butter drizzle or vanilla sauce enhance flavor versatility.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 316
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 272mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 132mg