Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (2024)

This bread pudding recipe is easy to make withjust a few simple ingredients. This is one of our family’s favorite recipes and is perfect served with a big scoop of ice cream!

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (1)

Do you have any family recipes that you absolutely love? This bread pudding recipeis one that has been in my husband’s family for years andcomes from his Grandmother Linda. My husband loves this recipe so much that his grandmaused to bake it for him instead of a cake for special occasions. And honestly, I would choose this recipe over a cake any day too.

Speaking of Josh’s grandma, I really feel like I could write a million blog posts about how wonderful she was. She was such a kind person andhad the best sense of humor. It was literally impossible to not crack a smile when you were around her.

My favorite memory of her was the time she got up on the dance floor at our wedding and danced like no one was watching. Although she’s no longer with us, one thing that we will always have are the memories and her amazingbread pudding recipe.

Plus, you know a recipe is good when it comes from grandma. Right?

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (2)

Recipe Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you may already have on hand! Here’s what you will need to make this easy bread pudding recipe:

  • Day-old bread: To start this recipe you’ll need some bread, hence the name bread pudding. I like to use a loaf of challah bread when it comes to making this recipe. Josh’s grandma usedslices of toastedwhite bread when she would make it. Some other great options are French or brioche bread. You also want to use day-old or stale bread so that it absorbs the moisture from the egg and milk mixture.
  • Eggs:You will be using 5 large eggs for this bread pudding recipe.
  • Milk:I prefer to use whole milk in this recipe, but Josh’s grandmother typically used skim milk. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand!
  • Sugar:There’s 1 cup of granulated sugar in this dish to add some sweetness.
  • Vanilla & spices:These add a little flavor to the bread pudding. For the spices there is a mixture of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (3)
Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (4)

How To Make Bread Pudding

To make this bread pudding, start by spraying a 9×13 baking pan well with nonstick cooking spray.Next, cube your day old-bread into 1-inch pieces and place them in an even layer into the prepared baking dish.

Then, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and spices. You will be using 5 whole eggs and 4 cups of milk, which may seem like a lot. Trust me, the first time I made this recipe I sat there wondering if it was too much. As the bread bakes it will absorb the liquid, so don’t worry!

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (5)
Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (6)

Once you mix up the wet ingredients, pour itover the bread in your pan. Make sure that the mixture fully coats the bread, if you miss some pieces, just press them down into the mixture to make sure they are coated.

You want to let it sit for about 15 minutes, so the bread can absorb some of the liquid before it goes into the oven too. I like to prepare the bread pudding, then once I’m done I preheat the oven. I just let it sit and soak up the mixture while the oven preheats, which is usually right at about 15 minutes. Easy, peasy.

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (7)

The bread pudding will take about 45 to 50 minutes in the oven. You will know it’s done when the center is puffed up and firm if you gently touch it.

You do want to let it cool for just a little bit once you remove it from the oven so that it’s easy to handle. I really love this bread pudding served with a huge scoop of ice cream and some caramel sauce. But honestly, it’s delicious just by itself!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze bread pudding?

Yes, absolutely! You can slice the bread pudding into pieces, wrap each one tightly, and store them in a large freezer bag or freezer-friendly storage container. To thaw it, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight.

Does it need be refrigerated?

Yes, you do want to refrigerate it. Once it has cooled completely, wrap it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How do you reheat it?

If you want to reheat the whole bread pudding, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and place it in a 300°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until warmed. For individual slices, I prefer to microwave them in 20 to 30 second increments until they’re warmed through.

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Baking Tips

  • If your bread is still fresh or not dried out you can cube itinto smaller pieces, placethem on a baking sheet, pop it in the oven, and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. You don’t want to completely toast the bread, just dry it out.
  • I prefer to lightly beat the eggs before mixing them into the wet ingredients. This isn’t necessary, but does help to ensure that the eggs are thoroughly combined.
  • Let the bread pudding soak for about 15 minutes while your oven is preheating. This will ensure that the bread really soaks up the egg custard mixture!

Video Tutorial

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (9)

Grandma's Bread Pudding

4.88 from 108 ratings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

This bread pudding recipe is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. This is one of our family's favorite recipes and perfect served with a big scoop of ice cream!

Print RecipePin Recipe SaveLeave a Review

Ingredients

Servings: 12 slices

  • 1 loaf day-old challah bread cubed into 1-inch pieces
  • 5 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 4 cups (960 ml) whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place the cubed challah bread into the prepared baking dish and spread it around into an even layer. Set aside.

  • In a very large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon until fully combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread in the prepared baking pan, making sure all of the bread is coated. Allow to sit and soak up the mixture for about 15 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Once the 15 minutes is over, place the bread pudding in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the top is set.

  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Storage Instructions:Once the bread pudding has cooled completely, cover it tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing Instructions:Bread pudding will freeze well for up to 3 months. I recommend slicing it into pieces, wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap, and storing them in a freezer bag. To thaw them, place in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.

Bread:I typically use a 20-ounce loaf of challah bread for this recipe. Some other great options are French or brioche bread.

If you have a fresh loaf of challah bread, you can cube it into 1-inch pieces, place them on a baking sheet, and bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the bread is dried out.

Milk:I prefer to use whole milk, but you may use 2%, 1%, skim, or even almond milk.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Danielle

Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.

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Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (2024)

FAQs

Does bread pudding need to be refrigerated after baking? ›

Bread pudding is best served right away after it's finished baking. However, leftovers can be kept for up to 5 days refrigerated and can be reheated in the microwave.

Why is my bread pudding mushy? ›

There are two main reasons why bread pudding bakes up mushy. One is that is has not baked long enough for the custard to . The other reason is that the bread was too fresh and did not soak up much custard, so the pudding is more liquidy than it should be.

Why does my bread pudding fall after bringing out of the oven? ›

It is usual for bread pudding to somewhat collapse when it goes from the oven to the room temperature air, but you surely don't want to further contribute to it becoming flat. Therefore, don't dish it out too quickly.

How do you know when a bread pudding is done? ›

Bake about 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Another way to judge whether the pudding is fully baked, is to gently press down on the center of the pudding. If any custard comes up to the top, the pudding needs to be baked a little longer.

Is it OK to leave bread pudding out overnight? ›

Can bread pudding sit out overnight? Do not let your bread pudding sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours after it has been baked. You should make sure you eat it within 4 days.

How long can you refrigerate bread pudding before cooking? ›

Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the plastic from the baking dish and bake the bread pudding for 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the milk mixture is set.

Why does my bread pudding taste eggy? ›

Bread pudding custard is best at a ratio of about 1 egg per 1 cup of liquid. Whatever the liquid is (see below for a note about that in the flavoring section), use one egg for every cup. This will give you a custard that is not too eggy.

How do you keep pudding moist? ›

Cooking and storing

After you have steamed and cooled your pudding, replace the foil with a freshly buttered piece to keep it moist and store in a cool, dark place, or the fridge, until you are ready to reheat it on Christmas day.

How wet should my bread pudding be? ›

The BEST Bread Pudding Recipe

Let's get one thing straight right from the start though: bread pudding shouldn't be soggy. The top should be golden and firm (mine has a nice slightly crunchy texture from turbinado sugar) and the remainder should be moist, soft, and slightly springy.

Should bread pudding be jiggly? ›

Bake until pudding is deep golden brown, is beginning to rise up sides of baking dish, and jiggles very slightly at the center when shaken, about 45 to 50 minutes.

How do you store bread pudding after baking? ›

It's best to bake the bread pudding in a foil pan if you plan to freeze it. Allow it to cool, then wrap the whole thing tightly in a layer of storage wrap and at least one layer of foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Freeze any extra sauce separately.

Do you eat bread pudding with a spoon or fork? ›

Advice: Ditch the fork – it's completely superfluous – and dig in with the spoon!

How long will homemade bread pudding keep? ›

The bread pudding will keep for up to 5 days stored tightly covered in the refrigerator. The bread pudding will keep for up to 3 months covered tightly and stored in the freezer.

Why does my bread pudding separate? ›

It sounds like it was cooked too fast at too high a temperature. Custard needs to be heated slowly, or it will curdle. Other suggestions: make sure the bread is dry.

Does pudding go bad if not refrigerated? ›

A: It only has to be refrigerated after you open it. Unopened it is shelf stable.

Does cooked pudding need to be refrigerated? ›

Once store-bought puddings are opened or prepared puddings are made, refrigeration is necessary to maintain freshness. Prepared pudding can last: 1 week in the refrigerator. It should be stored in an airtight container to minimize exposure to air and potential contaminants.

How long can pudding stay at room temperature? ›

If you buy the Hunt's Snack Pack pudding that does not require refrigeration, it can sit out for many hours. Other puddings made with perishable ingredients would have about 3 hours max at room temp.

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