Best 5 Cooks Illustrated Bread Pudding Recipes

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Indulge in the classic comfort of bread pudding, a delightful dessert that transforms humble ingredients into a symphony of flavors. This versatile dish has been enjoyed for centuries, with countless variations that showcase the creativity and ingenuity of home cooks. From the traditional bread pudding made with stale bread, milk, eggs, and sugar, to innovative recipes that incorporate unique ingredients like chocolate, fruits, and spices, there's a bread pudding to suit every palate. Whether you prefer a rich and decadent custard-like texture or a lighter, airier crumb, this versatile dessert offers endless possibilities for customization. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.

**Here are some delightful bread pudding recipes featured in the article:**

- **Classic Bread Pudding:** Experience the timeless charm of traditional bread pudding with this classic recipe. Using simple ingredients like stale bread, milk, eggs, sugar, and spices, this recipe yields a comforting and nostalgic dessert that evokes memories of home.

- **Chocolate Bread Pudding:** For chocolate lovers, this recipe takes bread pudding to a whole new level. Rich cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate chips are folded into the custard, creating a decadent and indulgent treat that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

- **Apple Bread Pudding:** Savor the flavors of fall with this apple bread pudding. Tender chunks of apples are tossed with cinnamon and sugar, then combined with a creamy custard mixture and baked until golden brown. The result is a warm and comforting dessert that's perfect for a cozy autumn day.

- **Savory Bread Pudding:** Break away from the traditional sweet bread pudding and try this savory version. Featuring a combination of hearty ingredients like sausage, cheese, and vegetables, this bread pudding is a satisfying and flavorful main course or side dish.

- **Bread Pudding Soufflé:** Elevate your bread pudding experience with this soufflé variation. Egg whites are whipped until stiff and folded into the custard mixture, creating a light and airy texture that will impress your dinner guests.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CLASSIC BREAD PUDDING



Classic Bread Pudding image

Classic bread pudding is just how you remember it: perfumed with vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, and dotted with raisins.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Puddings & Custards     Bread Pudding Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, for baking dish
12 ounces brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups milk
3 cups heavy cream
4 large eggs, plus 1 large egg yolk
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup boiling water, plus more for pan

Steps:

  • Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; set aside. Put bread in a large bowl; set aside. Heat milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until just about to simmer; remove from heat.
  • Whisk eggs, yolk, sugar, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, pour cream mixture in a slow, steady stream into egg mixture. Pour over bread; fold to combine. Let stand 30 minutes, tossing and pressing occasionally to submerge bread.
  • Meanwhile, soak raisins in 1 cup boiling water for 30 minutes.
  • Drain; stir raisins into bread mixture. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a slotted spoon, transfer bread to buttered dish; pour liquid in bowl over top. Using spoon, turn top layer of bread crust side up.
  • Set dish in a roasting pan; transfer to oven. Pour boiling water into pan to reach about halfway up sides of dish. Bake until golden brown, about 50 minutes. Let dish cool on a rack 10 to 20 minutes.

BREAD PUDDING WITH SPICED RUM SAUCE



Bread Pudding with Spiced Rum Sauce image

Bread Pudding with Spiced Rum Sauce "During a visit to Biloxi, Mississippi, I had dinner at The Seafood Buffet in the Grand Casino," Brenda Hill of Ann Arbor, Michigan. "The bread pudding was served with a wonderful spiced rum sauce.

Categories     Bread     Milk/Cream     Egg     Dessert     Bake     Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur     Raisin     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 large eggs
3 1/2 cups whole milk
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1-pound loaf cinnamon challah or cinnamon-swirl bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup golden raisins
Spiced Rum Sauce

Steps:

  • Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Whisk eggs in large bowl to blend. Add milk, sugar, cream, and vanilla; whisk to blend well. Stir in bread and raisins. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake pudding uncovered until puffed and golden, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool slightly (pudding will fall). Serve warm with Spiced Rum Sauce.

OLD-FASHIONED BREAD PUDDING



Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding image

Bread pudding is a delicious treat and an even better way to reduce food waste! For this bread pudding recipe, collect the heels and any extra slices of bread you have and freeze them. When you have enough to measure six cups (this is about six slices of bread), thaw the slices and start baking this warm and comforting bread pudding.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups soft bread cubes (about 6 slices bread)
1/2 cup raisins, if desired
Whipping (heavy) cream, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. In 2-quart saucepan, heat milk and butter over medium heat until butter is melted and milk is hot.
  • In large bowl, mix eggs, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir in bread cubes and raisins. Stir in milk mixture. Pour into ungreased deep round pan.
  • Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean. Serve warm with whipping cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 200, Carbohydrate 25 g, Cholesterol 60 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 280 mg

BEST EVER BREAD PUDDING



Best Ever Bread Pudding image

The secret to incredible bread pudding with a soft middle and crisp edges starts with leftover dinner rolls. I picked up the rich brown sugar sauce recipe from my friend Kathryn Gartmann. A big drizzle of it takes this dessert over the top and really makes it the best bread pudding ever. -Maria Petrella, Taste of Home Prep Cook

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 15 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2-1/4 cups half-and-half cream
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
20 dinner rolls (1-1/4 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes (18 cups)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
SAUCE:
1 cup butter, cubed
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup half-and-half cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together the first 10 ingredients until blended. Gently stir in bread. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. or 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar; let stand until bread is softened, about 15 minutes. Bake until puffed and a knife inserted in center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes., Meanwhile, for sauce, melt butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar; stir until dissolved. Gradually stir in cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until thickened, 15-20 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add vanilla, sea salt and baking soda, stirring well. Serve sauce with warm bread pudding.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 497 calories, Fat 29g fat (17g saturated fat), Cholesterol 151mg cholesterol, Sodium 540mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (26g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 9g protein.

SIMPLE BREAD PUDDING



Simple Bread Pudding image

This recipe is proof-positive that leftover bread can easily be converted to dessert without much work. There's room for customization here: consider adding fresh or dried fruit or a combination of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cardamom. It makes a great brunch dish, served with fresh fruit compote. Or add a handful of chocolate chips before baking for a decidedly more decadent outcome.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     easy, editors' pick, dessert

Time 45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups milk
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, more for greasing pan
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
Pinch salt
1/2 loaf sweet egg bread like challah or brioche, cut into 2-inch cubes (about 5 to 6 cups)
2 eggs, beaten

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm milk, butter, vanilla, sugar and salt. Continue cooking just until butter melts; cool. Meanwhile, butter a 4-to-6-cup baking dish and fill it with cubed bread.
  • Add eggs to cooled milk mixture and whisk; pour mixture over bread. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until custard is set but still a little wobbly and edges of bread have browned. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 198, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 192 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients, especially the bread. Stale bread works best, as it will absorb more of the custard and result in a richer pudding.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough pudding.
  • Let the pudding rest for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will allow the bread to absorb the custard and the pudding to set properly.
  • Bake the pudding in a water bath. This will help to prevent the pudding from drying out.
  • Serve the pudding warm or at room temperature. It can be topped with whipped cream, ice cream, or fresh fruit.

Conclusion:

Bread pudding is a classic dessert that is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its rich, custardy flavor and soft, fluffy texture, it is a perfect way to end a meal. Whether you are looking for a simple dessert to serve at a weeknight dinner or a special treat for a holiday gathering, bread pudding is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

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