How to make a simple bread pudding: Step-by-step and full recipe

Bread pudding is a classic dessert that has the power to transport us to the most comforting memories of childhood. What's more, it's a great way to make use of bread that's getting a bit stale. 

How to make a simple bread pudding

Simple bread pudding is one of those desserts that has the power to transport us to the days of yore, full of comforting aromas and homemade flavors. Made with basic ingredients that we often have at home, this sweet treat is a brilliant way to use up loaves of bread that are already a little stale, transforming them into an irresistible treat.

Step 1: Gather the Ingredients

Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients to hand. To make a simple bread pudding, you'll need:

• 4 cups stale bread cut into cubes
• 2 cups of milk
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• A pinch of salt
• Liquid caramel (optional, for the topping)

Step 2: Prepare the bread

Start by cutting the stale bread into cubes. You can use any type of bread you have available - French bread, bread rolls, brioche or even sweet bread. Spread the bread cubes out on a baking sheet and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Egg and Milk Mixture

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the milk, vanilla essence and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

Step 4: Assemble the pudding

Pour the egg and milk mixture over the bread cubes on the baking sheet. Make sure all the cubes are well soaked in the mixture. Leave to rest for about 15 minutes so that the bread absorbs the liquids.

Step 5: Bake the pudding

Preheat the oven to 180°C. While the oven is heating up, you can prepare the baking dish for the water bath. Place the dish with the pudding in a larger pan and add enough hot water to reach halfway up the pudding dish. This will help cook the pudding smoothly and evenly.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the pudding is firm and golden on top.

Step 6: Let cool and unmold

Once the pudding is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool down a little before unmolding. If you are using liquid caramel, now is the time to drizzle it over the pudding.

Once the pudding has cooled completely, you can unmold it and cut it into generous slices.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy!

Your simple bread pudding is ready to be served! You can enjoy it either warm or cold, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped cream. This classic dessert is perfect for any occasion, from a family dinner to a simple moment of indulgence.

How to make bread pudding without condensed milk

Ingredients

• 4 cups stale bread cut into cubes
• 2 cups of milk
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• A pinch of salt
• Liquid caramel (optional, for the topping)

Prepare the bread

Cut the stale bread into uniform cubes and spread them out on a baking sheet. Set aside.

Prepare the egg and milk mixture

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until you have a creamy mixture.

Add the milk, vanilla essence and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

Assemble the Pudding

Pour the egg and milk mixture over the bread cubes on the baking sheet. Make sure all the cubes are well soaked in the mixture. Leave to rest for about 15 minutes so that the bread absorbs the liquids.

Bake the pudding

• Preheat the oven to 180°C.
• While the oven is heating up, prepare the baking dish for the water bath. Place the dish with the pudding in a larger pan and add enough hot water to reach halfway up the pudding dish.
• Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the pudding is firm and golden on top.

Let cool and unmold

Once the pudding is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool down a little before unmolding. If you are using liquid caramel, now is the time to drizzle it over the pudding. Once the pudding has cooled completely, unmold and serve.

You can replace cow's milk with coconut milk for an even creamier version with a slightly exotic flavor. Try adding raisins, dried fruit or even chopped chocolate to the egg and milk mixture to create interesting flavor variations. Serve the bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an even more indulgent dessert.

Bread pudding

Bread pudding is a classic and comforting dessert that has its roots in various cultures around the world. It's a brilliant way to make use of bread that's already a bit stale, turning it into an irresistible treat that appeals to all ages.

One of the most striking characteristics of bread pudding is its simplicity. Made with basic ingredients such as bread, eggs, milk and sugar, it is an affordable and easy-to-prepare dessert. However, despite its simplicity, bread pudding has an incredible depth of flavor, thanks to the combination of ingredients and the slow, careful cooking process.

The texture of bread pudding is another characteristic that makes it so special. When prepared correctly, the pudding should have a soft and creamy consistency, with a golden and slightly caramelized top. Each bite is an irresistible blend of softness and firmness, with the comforting taste of the bread complemented by the delicate sweetness of the egg and milk mixture.

What consistency does the pudding have when it comes out of the oven?

When the bread pudding comes out of the oven, its ideal consistency is firm but soft and creamy. The top of the pudding should be golden and slightly caramelized, while the inside should have a smooth, even texture. When you insert a toothpick or knife into the center of the pudding, it should come out clean, indicating that it is fully cooked.

It's important to allow the pudding to cool a little before unmolding, as this will help firm up its texture even more. As it cools, the pudding tends to firm up a little more, giving it an even creamier and more palatable consistency.

How to make pudding syrup?

Preparing the syrup for the pudding is a fundamental step in ensuring a deliciously caramelized dessert with a touch of irresistible sweetness. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect pudding syrup:

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water

Prepare the pan

Choose a thick-bottomed pan to prevent the sugar from burning easily.

Place the pan over a medium heat and let it warm up before adding the sugar.

Melt the sugar

Pour the sugar into the preheated pan, spreading it out in an even layer.

Let the sugar melt gradually, without stirring, but you can shake the pan occasionally to distribute the heat more evenly.

As the sugar melts, it will begin to form a golden syrup around the edges of the pan.

Add water

When the sugar is completely melted and golden in color, carefully add the water. Be careful when adding the water, as it may bubble and splash. Gently stir the syrup until the water is completely mixed with the melted sugar.

Cook the syrup

Continue cooking the syrup over medium heat until it reaches the desired consistency.

For a bread pudding, a darker syrup is ideal, with a deep amber color and a rich caramel flavor. However, be careful not to let it burn.

Pour the syrup into the pan

As soon as the syrup reaches the desired color, remove it from the heat immediately to prevent it from burning. Pour the syrup into the pudding mold immediately, tilting the mold to completely cover the bottom and sides with the syrup.

Let it cool

Let the syrup cool and solidify a little before pouring the pudding mixture over it. This helps prevent the syrup from mixing with the pudding mixture before baking.

Bake the pudding

After pouring the pudding mixture over the syrup, follow the instructions in the recipe to bake the pudding. The syrup will melt and turn into a delicious caramel as the pudding bakes. With these simple steps, you can create a perfect pudding syrup that will add an irresistible touch of caramelized flavor to your dessert. 

Enjoy every bite of this classic!

Cooking tips for making a simple bread pudding

Mastering the art of making a simple bread pudding is more than following a recipe - it's understanding the little details and culinary tricks that turn a good dessert into a true masterpiece.

Use stale bread

Bread pudding is traditionally made with stale bread, as this helps to absorb the egg and milk mixture better, resulting in a softer, creamier texture. Breads such as French, sourdough or brioche are excellent choices.

Cut the bread into uniform cubes

When cutting the bread into cubes, try to maintain a uniform size to ensure that all the pieces bake evenly and absorb the egg and milk mixture consistently.

Let the bread soak in the mixture

After pouring the egg and milk mixture over the bread cubes, leave to rest for at least 15 minutes. This will allow the bread to completely absorb the liquids, resulting in a richer, tastier pudding.

Prepare a water bath

Baking the pudding in a bain-marie helps it to cook evenly and prevents the top of the pudding from burning. Make sure you add enough hot water to the outer pan to reach about half the height of the pudding pan.

Adjust the amount of sugar

The level of sweetness of the pudding can vary according to your personal taste. If you prefer a sweeter pudding, you can increase the amount of sugar in the recipe. On the other hand, if you prefer it less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar.

Use Whole Milk for a Richer Texture

If you want an even creamier and richer pudding, try using whole milk instead of low-fat milk. The fat content of whole milk adds a more indulgent texture to the pudding.

Cover with caramel (optional)

To add an extra touch of flavor and sweetness, you can drizzle the pudding with liquid caramel before baking. This creates a caramelized layer on top of the pudding, adding a delicious contrast of flavours.

Let Cool Before Unmolding

After baking, let the pudding cool down a little before trying to unmold it. This will help prevent the pudding from breaking or crumbling. You can also run a knife around the edges of the mold to loosen the pudding before unmolding.

Serve with side dishes

Bread pudding is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with toppings such as vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, fresh fruit or extra caramel syrup to take the flavor up a notch.

Simple and delicious bread pudding

Making a simple bread pudding is easier than you might think, and the end result is a dessert that pleases all palates. With this step-by-step guide and the complete recipe, you'll be able to recreate this delight in your own kitchen whenever you want. Give it a try and enjoy moments of pure gastronomic pleasure with this comforting classic!

See also: Simple lemon tart with cornstarch: Here's how to make it

March 30th, 2024