Old-fashioned bread pudding with vanilla sauce is a classic dessert that’s rich, comforting, and wonderfully nostalgic. It’s a delightful way to use up stale bread and transform it into a sweet and satisfying treat. Here’s a recipe to make this traditional dessert:
Ingredients:
For the Bread Pudding:
- 6 cups stale bread cubes (such as French bread or brioche)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup raisins or currants (optional)
For the Vanilla Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish.
2. Prepare the Bread Pudding:
- Place the stale bread cubes in the greased baking dish.
3. Mix the Custard Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
- If you’re using raisins or currants, you can add them to the custard mixture at this point.
4. Pour the Custard Over the Bread:
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all the bread is soaked.
5. Let It Sit:
- Allow the bread pudding to sit for about 15-20 minutes, giving the bread time to absorb the custard.
6. Bake:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown, and the pudding is set. You can check for doneness by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out clean.
7. Prepare the Vanilla Sauce:
- While the bread pudding is baking, prepare the vanilla sauce.
- In a saucepan, melt the 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the heavy cream and granulated sugar, and whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set the sauce aside.
8. Serve:
- Once the bread pudding is done baking, remove it from the oven.
- Serve warm, drizzled with the warm vanilla sauce.
9. Enjoy:
- Enjoy your old-fashioned bread pudding with vanilla sauce as a comforting dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.
This classic dessert is a favorite for a reason. Its sweet, custardy interior and warm vanilla sauce make it a delightful treat that’s sure to bring back memories of home-cooked comfort food.