- 1
Begin to preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F). A preheated oven ensures you perfect conditions for that golden, crispy top layer everyone craves.
- 2
In anticipation of preheating your oven, you can prepare your baking dish.
- 3
Take eight bread slices, preferably a day old, as the slightly dry bread will absorb the custard mixture better.
- 4
Cut the bread into small cubes, about 1 inch in size. You can use white bread or whole wheat for regular flavour or even brioche for more depth.
- 5
Place these bread cubes in a greased baking dish in one layer.
- 6
Mix 500 ml of milk: whole milk or a mix of milk and cream to add richness to the custard.
- 7
Add four beaten eggs, 150 gms of sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the milk mixture.
- 8
The eggs will bind this mixture together, and sugar with vanilla provides sweetness and a fantastic flavour.
- 9
Beat everything together and have no lumps in this custard mixture.
- 10
Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes placed in the baking dish.
- 11
Ensure that all pieces of bread get wet by the custard; otherwise, you will end up having a different pudding texture altogether.
- 12
After pouring the custard, let it stand for about 10 minutes.
- 13
This resting time allows the bread to absorb the custard; hence, the pudding will be moist and flavourful.
- 14
For those cubes, use another bowl to prepare a sweet topping that makes flavours and textures.
- 15
Mix well 50 grams of melted butter with 50 grams of brown sugar and a pinch of ground cinnamon in a little bowl.
- 16
This mixture will bring a sweet caramelised topping to your bread pudding.
- 17
Pour this mixture uniformly over the soaked bread cubes to enrich each bite.
- 18
Now, it is time to bake the masterpiece. Put the baking dish in the preheated oven and let it bake for 45–50 minutes.
- 19
The pudding is done when the top is golden brown, and the custard is set.
- 20
You could check by using a toothpick. It should pass clean or with just a few moist crumbs inside.
- 21
Remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to help you cut the pudding into squares.
- 22
You may even want to serve it with ice cream like vanilla and caramel sauce or even a dollop of whipped cream for that extra treat. This recipe of bread pudding is very simple and easy to make, yet can be very versatile.
- 23
You can add chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts to the custard mixture for additional texture and flavour.
- 24
It comes out warm and comforting and has a fantastic aroma; it makes for a good treat regardless of the occasion.
- 25
This dessert will be a delicious treat, whether served as a cosy family dessert or as a standout dish for guests. Enjoy the goodness of homemade bread pudding!