How to Make Classic Bread Pudding: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bread pudding is a deliciously comforting dessert that combines stale bread with sweet, creamy custard, and it’s perfect for using up leftover bread. This classic dish is enjoyed around the world and can be easily customized with various flavors and ingredients. In this guide, we will take you through the steps of making a classic bread pudding from scratch.
Gather Your Ingredients
To make a traditional bread pudding, you’ll need simple ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need: 6 cups of cubed stale bread (French or challah works best), 4 large eggs, 2 cups of milk (whole or half-and-half for creaminess), 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and optional spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also add raisins or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
Prepare the Bread
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, spread the cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast it lightly in the oven for about 10 minutes until it’s dry but not browned. This step prevents your pudding from becoming too soggy.
Make the Custard Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well combined. Slowly add in the milk while continuing to whisk. Next, stir in vanilla extract and any spices you desire. If you’re adding raisins or chocolate chips, mix them into this custard mixture as well.
Combine Bread with Custard
Once your custard is ready, gently fold in the toasted bread cubes ensuring they are all coated with the mixture. Let this sit for about 15-20 minutes so that the bread has time to absorb some of that delicious custard.
Bake Your Bread Pudding
Grease a baking dish with butter or non-stick spray before pouring in your soaked bread mixture evenly across it. Bake in your preheated oven for approximately 45-50 minutes until it’s set and golden brown on top; you can check by inserting a knife – if it comes out clean then it’s done. Allow cooling slightly before serving.
Bread pudding can be served warm or cold; it’s delightful on its own but pairs beautifully with sauces like caramel or whipped cream. Now that you know how to make classic bread pudding step-by-step, gather your ingredients and enjoy this timeless dessert.
This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.
