For this classic Bread Pudding, challah bread is soaked in a rich custard spiked with spiced rum and vanilla, and baked until golden. It’s a great make-ahead dessert, and wonderful with ice cream!
Bread pudding is proof that some of the most delicious things are also the easiest.
Bread pudding is a dessert that anyone can make. Heck, my toddler could probably make it.
Because it’s so easy and so deliciously comforting, it’s a good option to make for many occasions, whether it’s the holidays, or a special weekend dinner.
My little brother is obsessed with bread pudding, and has requested we make it for every holiday and any other excuse that could possibly suffice.
In other words: we’ve tried bread puddings of all kinds.
I’ve made chocolate bread pudding, fruity bread puddings, and have experimented with various breads and flavorings in the custard.
But this is my favorite version of all.
It’s pretty classic, and is flavored with a subtle spiced rum and raisin combination.
I like challah here since it’s easy to find (TJ’s has a great price on it), has a slightly sweet flavor, and a light and fluffy texture. However, you could also use brioche or cinnamon bread.
For a proper bread pudding, you need to stale the bread first, so the bread can absorb the custard.
I usually do this by cutting the bread into cubes, then leaving it out overnight, uncovered.
If you’re in a hurry, you can also bake the bread in a 300F oven for about 10 minutes, to dry out the bread.
Let the bread sit in the custard for 15 minutes, to gently absorb the liquid, and toss very gently when redistributing the bread.
I’m technically using a 10″ diameter quiche dish (affiliate) because I think it’s pretty, but pretty much any baking vessel can be used.
You can bake in individual ramekins for single-serving portions, or bake it all in an 8×8 dish. Just make sure you keep your eye on it, and bake for less time in the single serving dishes.
Bake the bread pudding for just under an hour, until it still glistens in the center, but has crusty, golden edges on top.
The raisins should now be juicy and plump, and the bread and custard will have combined into a new texture that’s creamy and rich.
Baklava is another one of my favorite make-ahead desserts for special occasions. Enjoy!
How to Store Bread Pudding: This keeps best in the fridge for up to 5 days, but it can also be frozen.
Can Bread Pudding be frozen? Yes, for up to 2 months.
Sweet bread is cubed and soaked in a rich custard spiked with spiced rum and vanilla, and baked until golden. It's a great make-ahead dessert!
In a large bowl, whisk to combine the heavy cream, milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, and rum. It should be a gorgeous mocha color.
Add the stale bread cubes and raisins, toss gently, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Toss the bread halfway through so the cubes can evenly soak up the liquid.
Pour all of the liquid and bread cubes into an 8x8 baking dish***, keeping in mind it will look like too much liquid, but it’s not. It will absorb during baking.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, until it has set and soaked up the liquid. It should be golden on the edges, but still glisten a bit in the center.
Serve as is, or with ice cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or chocolate sauce. Enjoy!
*This is about half of a 20-ounce loaf. I buy mine at TJ's. You can also use brioche.
**Large and extra large both work.
***You can also bake in individual ramekins, but reduce baking time drastically, and start checking after 30 minutes. You can also do a 10" quiche dish.
Post updated in November 2018. Originally published in January 2012.
I’m making this for a Friendsgiving this weekend!
My family enjoyed this! PErfect for holiday mornings!
This recipe is perfection! I couldn’t love this bread pudding more!
I’m thinking about making this recipe for an office potluck. Will the alcohol bake out or can i use a substitute?
Hi Diana, if you google this topic, you’ll see that there’s a lot of discussion about this. The general consensus is that most will bake out, but not all. One site for instance says that at 15 minutes of bake time, 40% of the alcohol will remain. The alcohol remaining continues to go down after that, but it’s impossible to determine how much exactly at the end of baking. This is ultimately going to be your call. There are 2 tbsp of spiced rum for the whole dish, so the amount in my eyes after baking would be negligible, but if someone doesn’t want any traces of alcohol, they should probably avoid it. This has to be your decision, but hope this helps.