This classic casserole, made from bread soaked in a creamy vanilla custard, is perfect for breakfast or brunch and is simple to make. It’s my favorite bread pudding recipe!
Some call it bread pudding, others call it baked French toast. Whatever you want to call it, though, it’s a dreamy breakfast or brunch for your guests. It’s easy to make, and you’ll never need to throw away old bread again.
What is bread pudding?
It’s layers of bread mixed with a delicious, creamy custard made from eggs, sugar, and either cream or milk. Using heavy cream alone will give the richest and, in my opinion, most delicious results, but you can use milk, half-and-half, or a combination.
Type of Bread
The bread can’t be fresh, and it should sit at room temperature for a day to let it dry up a little. I like to use Challa, but you can also use French bread, brioche (delicious!), or Panettone (an Italian bread).
Bread to Custard Ratio
While most recipes for bread pudding are quite similar, it’s the bread to custard ratio that differs the most. In some recipes, the casserole will still be filled with visible custard after baking, but in others, the bread will soak up most of the liquid. It also depends on how much time you let the bread soak prior to baking. While most recipes suggest anywhere from a few minutes to overnight in the fridge (good if you want to make it ahead and bake in the morning), I find it enough to let my bread soak for an hour. In my recipe, the casserole won’t be full of custard after baking, but if you find that you prefer more, simply make extra custard next time with the same amount of bread.
Baking Time
Baking time is key in making this breakfast perfect. When the custard is no longer runny, and when there is no custard leaking from the top when you press down on the bread, then it’s done. Over baking will make the bread dry.
Creme Brulee Bread Pudding
For special occasions, I like to caramelize the top of the bread pudding like in creme brulee. This might slightly burn the edges of the bread, but don’t worry about it – the end product won’t taste burnt at all. Since bread pudding is very soft, the caramelized top gives it the perfect crunch. You can also add crunch by adding pecans or other nuts (this recipe includes nuts). The brulee top is only optional, and without it, you’ll still have a delicious, classic bread pudding. Either way you decide to create this sweet morning treat, your guests will thank you!
- 450g/16oz/16 slices 2-inch thick/one loaf day-old bread*
- 1 cup pecans (or raisins, chocolate chips, cranberries, etc.)
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g/7 oz) granulated sugar
- 4 cups heavy cream (or milk, half & half, or a combination)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Grease a 9x13-inch pan, and set aside.
- Cut bread into 2-inch cubes. In a large bowl, mix together bread cubes and pecans. Place the mixture evenly in the pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar. Add cream and vanilla extract, and whisk to combine. Pour cream mixture over bread mixture in the pan until completely covered. Gently press down the bread cubes to fully cover with custard. It's best to let the casserole sit for 1 hour, covered, at room temperature, but if you're in a hurry, bake it right away.
- Preheat oven to 325F/160C. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until custard has set and the top is golden brown. If the top is browning too fast, cover loosely with aluminum foil. Don’t over bake or the bread will be dry. Let the pudding cool slightly before serving.
- Bread pudding can be served warm or cold. It is best the same dat it's made.
*The recipe can be halved to fit an 8x8-inch pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
17 Comments
Anne
June 11, 2014 at 10:56 amWhat a great idea!!! That looks delicious!
Shiran
June 11, 2014 at 6:09 pmThanks Anne 🙂
Min
June 14, 2014 at 9:18 pmThis looks so so good, Shiran! I found you on Instagram and just had to visit your site. So glad I did. I will def be using brioche ;). Thank you for sharing!
Shiran
June 15, 2014 at 7:24 amThank you for the sweet words! 🙂
Dawn
December 9, 2014 at 5:29 pmAmazing! I made this using some leftover pumpkin rolls I’d made for Thanksgiving. I also added cranberries. So delicious!
Shiran
December 10, 2014 at 9:12 amThank you Dawn! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂 I also added cranberries once and it was amazing!
STEVE
December 17, 2014 at 7:46 pmIt looks like what I grew up on in New Orleans. Mom always used sweet French bread. I’ll be making it over the holidays…Cheers !
Shiran
December 18, 2014 at 1:48 amThere’s nothing like food that brings up good memories 🙂 It sounds great for the holidays!
Cynthia
January 1, 2018 at 5:46 pmI always make this for the new year! But I make s caramel sauce and add the pecans to it!
Shiran
January 3, 2018 at 9:27 amIt’s the best combo ever! Happy new year!
Vaishnavi
January 6, 2018 at 6:18 amHi Shiran!!! I love love love your blog.. everything looks just fabulous.. just a quick question .. can this recipe be halved and made in a 9 inch pan?
Shiran
January 6, 2018 at 11:29 amThank you so much! 🙂 Is it a 9-inch square pan? If so, it’s better to divide the recipe by 2/3 or 3/4. Half recipe works best for an 8-inch pan.
Therese A Michaud
July 31, 2018 at 9:18 amHow do you carmelize the top?
Shiran
August 1, 2018 at 9:09 amI’m using a torch, same as caramelizing creme brulee.
Trillion
November 7, 2018 at 6:10 pmThank you for an absolutely LUSCIOUS recipe. I’ve always struggled with the ratio of bread to custard, your recipe turned out beautifully. I made it for my mother todayand she was delighted! Many thanks to you (and I can’t wait to try your cheesecake recipe!)
Angie
January 15, 2019 at 7:37 pmHi there I would like to make this, however we are quite boring no pecans or raisins but I would like to add cinnamon how much would you recommended? Thanks
Allen Stone
February 23, 2019 at 12:40 amI used a frozen round Challah and cut full length slices. Then I shingled the bread rotating from side ya side. Since I used a 2” deep, half hotel pan I increased the cooking time. Right at the end I sprinkled sugar on top and used a torch to caramelize it.
For plating I would cut a sizeable portion and reheat in in a pan with butter making sure to brown the sides and spooning the melted butter over and finished heating it in the oven. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, maple syrup on the plate and fresh berries and mint leaves.