Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (2024)

This bread pudding recipe is easy to make withjust a few simple ingredients. This is one of our family’s favorite recipes and is perfect served with a big scoop of ice cream!

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (1)

Do you have any family recipes that you absolutely love? This bread pudding recipeis one that has been in my husband’s family for years andcomes from his Grandmother Linda. My husband loves this recipe so much that his grandmaused to bake it for him instead of a cake for special occasions. And honestly, I would choose this recipe over a cake any day too.

Speaking of Josh’s grandma, I really feel like I could write a million blog posts about how wonderful she was. She was such a kind person andhad the best sense of humor. It was literally impossible to not crack a smile when you were around her.

My favorite memory of her was the time she got up on the dance floor at our wedding and danced like no one was watching. Although she’s no longer with us, one thing that we will always have are the memories and her amazingbread pudding recipe.

Plus, you know a recipe is good when it comes from grandma. Right?

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (2)

Recipe Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you may already have on hand! Here’s what you will need to make this easy bread pudding recipe:

  • Day-old bread: To start this recipe you’ll need some bread, hence the name bread pudding. I like to use a loaf of challah bread when it comes to making this recipe. Josh’s grandma usedslices of toastedwhite bread when she would make it. Some other great options are French or brioche bread. You also want to use day-old or stale bread so that it absorbs the moisture from the egg and milk mixture.
  • Eggs:You will be using 5 large eggs for this bread pudding recipe.
  • Milk:I prefer to use whole milk in this recipe, but Josh’s grandmother typically used skim milk. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand!
  • Sugar:There’s 1 cup of granulated sugar in this dish to add some sweetness.
  • Vanilla & spices:These add a little flavor to the bread pudding. For the spices there is a mixture of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (3)
Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (4)

How To Make Bread Pudding

To make this bread pudding, start by spraying a 9×13 baking pan well with nonstick cooking spray.Next, cube your day old-bread into 1-inch pieces and place them in an even layer into the prepared baking dish.

Then, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and spices. You will be using 5 whole eggs and 4 cups of milk, which may seem like a lot. Trust me, the first time I made this recipe I sat there wondering if it was too much. As the bread bakes it will absorb the liquid, so don’t worry!

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (5)
Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (6)

Once you mix up the wet ingredients, pour itover the bread in your pan. Make sure that the mixture fully coats the bread, if you miss some pieces, just press them down into the mixture to make sure they are coated.

You want to let it sit for about 15 minutes, so the bread can absorb some of the liquid before it goes into the oven too. I like to prepare the bread pudding, then once I’m done I preheat the oven. I just let it sit and soak up the mixture while the oven preheats, which is usually right at about 15 minutes. Easy, peasy.

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (7)

The bread pudding will take about 45 to 50 minutes in the oven. You will know it’s done when the center is puffed up and firm if you gently touch it.

You do want to let it cool for just a little bit once you remove it from the oven so that it’s easy to handle. I really love this bread pudding served with a huge scoop of ice cream and some caramel sauce. But honestly, it’s delicious just by itself!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze bread pudding?

Yes, absolutely! You can slice the bread pudding into pieces, wrap each one tightly, and store them in a large freezer bag or freezer-friendly storage container. To thaw it, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight.

Does it need be refrigerated?

Yes, you do want to refrigerate it. Once it has cooled completely, wrap it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How do you reheat it?

If you want to reheat the whole bread pudding, cover it tightly with aluminum foil, and place it in a 300°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until warmed. For individual slices, I prefer to microwave them in 20 to 30 second increments until they’re warmed through.

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (8)

Baking Tips

  • If your bread is still fresh or not dried out you can cube itinto smaller pieces, placethem on a baking sheet, pop it in the oven, and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. You don’t want to completely toast the bread, just dry it out.
  • I prefer to lightly beat the eggs before mixing them into the wet ingredients. This isn’t necessary, but does help to ensure that the eggs are thoroughly combined.
  • Let the bread pudding soak for about 15 minutes while your oven is preheating. This will ensure that the bread really soaks up the egg custard mixture!

Video Tutorial

Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (9)

Grandma's Bread Pudding

4.88 from 108 ratings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

This bread pudding recipe is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. This is one of our family's favorite recipes and perfect served with a big scoop of ice cream!

Print RecipePin Recipe SaveLeave a Review

Ingredients

Servings: 12 slices

  • 1 loaf day-old challah bread cubed into 1-inch pieces
  • 5 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 4 cups (960 ml) whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place the cubed challah bread into the prepared baking dish and spread it around into an even layer. Set aside.

  • In a very large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon until fully combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread in the prepared baking pan, making sure all of the bread is coated. Allow to sit and soak up the mixture for about 15 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Once the 15 minutes is over, place the bread pudding in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the top is set.

  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Storage Instructions:Once the bread pudding has cooled completely, cover it tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing Instructions:Bread pudding will freeze well for up to 3 months. I recommend slicing it into pieces, wrapping them tightly with plastic wrap, and storing them in a freezer bag. To thaw them, place in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.

Bread:I typically use a 20-ounce loaf of challah bread for this recipe. Some other great options are French or brioche bread.

If you have a fresh loaf of challah bread, you can cube it into 1-inch pieces, place them on a baking sheet, and bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the bread is dried out.

Milk:I prefer to use whole milk, but you may use 2%, 1%, skim, or even almond milk.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Author: Danielle

Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.

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Grandma's Bread Pudding Recipe - Live Well Bake Often (2024)

FAQs

What does "wet Nellie" mean? ›

This local Liverpool favourite is a moister version of Nelson cake – a Lancashire fruit cake – hence the name Wet Nelly.

How do you know when bread pudding is done? ›

Bake about 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Another way to judge whether the pudding is fully baked, is to gently press down on the center of the pudding. If any custard comes up to the top, the pudding needs to be baked a little longer.

Why is my bread pudding mushy? ›

There are two main reasons why bread pudding bakes up mushy. One is that is has not baked long enough for the custard to . The other reason is that the bread was too fresh and did not soak up much custard, so the pudding is more liquidy than it should be.

What is Nellie slang for? ›

3. or nellie slang, disparaging : an effeminate hom*osexual.

Is Wet Nellie a real thing? ›

Movie magic aside, the “Wet Nellie” Lotus Esprit was actually a custom built submarine, but not a fully functioning car. The real-life equivalent to the “Wet Nellie” was created by the Swiss automobile designer Rinspeed Inc., who claim that it's the only underwater car in the world.

Should bread pudding be refrigerated? ›

Bread pudding is best served warm, shortly after it comes out of the oven. But, with that said, leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to three days.

Should you cover bread pudding when baking? ›

Masterclass recommends covering your bread pudding with aluminum foil to protect the top from burning and removing it about 15 minutes before the end of the baking time so that the top can become appropriately crispy.

Is it OK to leave bread pudding out overnight? ›

Yes, you absolutely can.

Why does my bread pudding taste eggy? ›

Bread pudding custard ratio

Bread pudding custard is best at a ratio of about 1 egg per 1 cup of liquid. Whatever the liquid is (see below for a note about that in the flavoring section), use one egg for every cup. This will give you a custard that is not too eggy.

Is bread pudding supposed to be wet in the middle? ›

A good bread pudding needs to be moist -- it is made from custard, after all -- but it should not be anywhere close to runny.

How do you keep pudding moist? ›

After you have steamed and cooled your pudding, replace the foil with a freshly buttered piece to keep it moist and store in a cool, dark place, or the fridge, until you are ready to reheat it on Christmas day.

Why does my bread pudding go flat? ›

Not allowing it to rest after baking

It is usual for bread pudding to somewhat collapse when it goes from the oven to the room temperature air, but you surely don't want to further contribute to it becoming flat. Therefore, don't dish it out too quickly.

What is the Lotus in The Spy Who Loved Me? ›

The Lotus Esprit S1 is known for its polygonal 'folded paper' like design but was ultimately made famous when it was driven by MI6 Special Agent 007, in the 1977 hit movie The Spy Who Loved Me starring Roger Moore as James Bond.

What is the Lotus Esprit in James Bond? ›

"Wet Nellie" is the behind-the-scenes name given to a custom-built submarine, created for the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me in the shape of a Lotus Esprit S1 sports car. The Esprit was chosen to give James Bond a glamorous car to drive.

What is the white sports car in The Spy Who Loved Me? ›

If any other car can compete with the Aston Martin DB5 for the accolade of being known as Bond's car, it's the white Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me. And undoubtedly it's the car most closely associated with Roger Moore's time as 007.

What is the white car in The Spy Who Loved Me? ›

The Lotus Esprit became the second most famous Bond car, after the DB5, when it appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).

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