Description
Joanna Gaines’ bread pudding recipe blends Southern comfort with sweet nostalgia. Rich custard and buttery bread create a classic dessert perfect for weekend gatherings. Warm vanilla sauce makes each spoonful irresistible for home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 slices day-old bread, torn into small pieces
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups milk
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack centered, creating an ideal baking environment for a perfectly golden bread pudding.
- Bread Foundation: Artfully tear bread into rustic chunks, covering the entire surface of an 8-inch baking dish, then drizzle melted butter generously to ensure complete moisture and rich flavor.
- Fruit Integration: Sprinkle raisins evenly across the bread, promising delightful bursts of sweetness in every spoonful.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy blend, then incorporate milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, stirring until the custard reaches a smooth, silky consistency.
- Assembly and Baking: Pour the creamy custard over the bread, gently pressing with a fork to help the bread absorb the liquid, then slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns a rich golden-brown and springs back when lightly touched.
- Resting and Serving: Remove from the oven and let the pudding rest for 10-15 minutes, allowing the custard to set and the flavors to meld, creating a decadent dessert ready to be enjoyed warm.
Notes
- Bread Selection: Choose day-old, slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for maximum absorption and richer texture.
- Precise Custard Mixing: Whisk eggs and sugar thoroughly until pale and frothy to create a smooth, silky base for the pudding.
- Moisture Control: Press bread gently with a fork while adding custard to ensure even liquid distribution and prevent dry spots.
- Serving Suggestion: Let pudding rest after baking to allow custard to set completely, enhancing overall flavor and consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 180mg