Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (2024)

Butternut Squash Bread Pudding with Tres Leches Sauce

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (1)

Credit: Leigh Beisch; Styling: Dan Becker

Indulge in one of these top-rated bread pudding recipes when you need a luscious dessert that’s easy to make. (First, learn how to make the best bread pudding with our helpful guide.) Don't let stale baked goods go to waste—they can be rejuvenated into tasty bread pudding desserts that are perfect for a weekend brunch or potluck.

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Blueberry Bread Pudding With Lemon Hard Sauce image

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (2)

Credit: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Pam Lolley

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Stale Doughnut Bread Pudding Muffins

Stale Doughnut Bread Pudding Muffins with White Chocolate and Raspberry Sauces image

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (3)

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Mark Driskill, Deb Wise, Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck

Stale Doughnut Bread Pudding Muffins Recipe

Trends come and go, but this recipe is proof that doughnuts are eternal. Even that box of Krispy Kremes that you picked up at midnight last night. Stale doughnuts need love, too. Which is why we’re recycling them in a warm, custardy bread pudding disguised as the greatest brunch dish of all time. As if the doughnuts weren’t enough, we add an extra layer of decadence in the form of white chocolate and raspberry sauces. Drizzle them on the bread pudding or directly into your mouth. We won’t judge.

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Classic Bread Pudding

Classic Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (4)

Credit: Bradford Thomason; Styling: Katherine Tucker

Classic Bread Pudding Recipe

You can't go wrong with a classic bread pudding made with simple ingredients and flavored with vanilla and nutmeg. Learn the best tricks and techniques for making perfect bread pudding with this helpful how-to guide.

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King Cake Bread Pudding with Chicory Ice Cream

Chicory Ice Cream

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (5)

Credit: Jennifer Causey

King Cake Bread Pudding with Chicory Ice Cream Recipe

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Peach Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel

Photographer Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist Mindi Shapiro; Food Stylist Torie C

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (6)

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Peach Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel Recipe

A spiked caramel sauce makes this bread pudding truly spectacular. Resist the urge to stir the caramel as it cooks, and watch it closely. Once it starts to brown, it can easily turn too dark and become bitter.

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Praline Bread Pudding

Praline Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (7)

Credit: Hector Sanchez Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Praline Bread Pudding Recipe

Keep leftover French bread from going stale by re-purposing your loaf into a decadent praline pecan bread pudding. Finish with a drizzle of praline sauce and a dollop of whipped cream.

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Banana Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Banana Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (8)

Credit: Rachel Johnson

Banana Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce Recipe

Try this recipe the next time you have a leftover French loaf; the texture of bread pudding is better with day-old bread. You can also use fat-free fudge topping in place of the caramel topping.

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Spring Vegetable Bread Pudding Muffins

Spring Vegetable Bread Pudding Muffins image

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (9)

Credit: Kelsey Hansen;Prop Styling:Audrey Davis;Food Styling:Mark Driskill

Spring Vegetable Bread Pudding Muffins Recipe

These individual savory bread puddings are an amazing addition to any spring brunch menu. Bread pudding’s rich, comfort food quality is balanced here with vibrant spring flavors contributed by fresh mint, fresh dill, green peas, and baby spinach. We love the savory-salty goodness that pancetta delivers to this delicious side dish, but if you would prefer to keep these bread pudding muffins vegetarian-friendly, you can leave this ingredient out and cook the spinach and peas in olive oil. Preparing the bread pudding in muffin tins allows for easily-served individual portions, as well as loads of potential for creating a really pretty display. You can prepare these bread pudding muffins up to a day in advance—simply keep the muffins in the pan and wrap the pan in plastic wrap once it’s completely cool. Store them in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat and serve.

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Spinach, Cheese, and Bacon Bread Puddings

Spinach, Cheese, and Bacon Bread Puddings

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (10)

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Spinach, Cheese, and Bacon Bread Puddings Recipe

You just can’t go wrong with a savory bread pudding—think of it as a cross between holiday stuffing and a cheesy breakfast casserole. If you don’t have individual ramekins, place the bread mixture in an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. For a vegetarian spin, skip the bacon, sub vegetable stock for chicken stock, and add shiitake or cremini mushrooms to the onion mixture. Fontina cheese has a nutty depth that stands out in the bread mixture. Use any cheese you like—a similar cheese like Gruyère works beautifully.

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Orange Bread Pudding

Orange Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (11)

Orange Bread Pudding Recipe

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Chocolate Chunk Bread Puddings

Chocolate Chunk Bread Puddings

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (12)

Credit: Rachel Johnson

Chocolate Chunk Bread Puddings Recipe

Sweet Hawaiian bread, semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa , and Kahlúa give this bread pudding it’s sweetness and rich chocolate flavor.

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Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce

Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (13)

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce Recipe

Use Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Breadto make this flavorfull fall dessert.

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Irish Bread Pudding with Caramel-Whiskey Sauce

Irish Bread Pudding with Caramel-Whiskey Sauce

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (14)

Credit: Oxmoor House

Irish Bread Pudding with Caramel-Whiskey Sauce Recipe

Bread pudding with whiskey sauce is a delicious dessert inspired by the flavors of the Emerald Isle. Serve for St. Patrick’s Day or any other day you want to get in touch with your inner leprechaun.

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Apple Bread Pudding

Apple Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (15)

Credit: Helen Norman

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Serve this bread pudding family-style from a baking dish, or divide with a 3-inch round cutter for an elegant presentation.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Puddings With Dark Caramel Sauce

Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Puddings With Dark Caramel Sauce

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (16)

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Puddings With Dark Caramel Sauce Recipe

Peanut butter and bananas are natural dessert partners and even better when accompanied by caramel. Not only do you use peanut butter in the bread pudding mixture, but also in the sweet and crunchy streusel topping.

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Tiramisu Bread Pudding

Tiramisu Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (17)

Credit: Oxmoor House

Tiramisu Bread Pudding Recipe

Drizzled with a rich mascarpone sauce, this moist, coffee and Kahlúa-flavored bread pudding features the flavors of tiramisu, a favorite Italian dessert.

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Cinnamon Apple Raisin Bread Pudding

Cinnamon Apple Raisin Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (18)

Credit: Randy Mayor

Cinnamon Apple Raisin Bread Pudding Recipe

Make bread pudding even more special by using cinnamon bread and adding raisins and dried apple.

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Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (19)

Credit: Jim Franco; Styling: Lynda White

Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings Recipe

Combine canned pumpkin with bread cubes and a rich mixture of milk, sugar and cream to make a holiday-style bread pudding. Top it with a luscious nutty caramel sauce for even more decadence.

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Mango-Coconut Bread Pudding

Mango-Coconut Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (20)

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mango-Coconut Bread Pudding Tout

Bread pudding goes tropical with this version featuring fresh mango, coconut and coconut milk. Add a splash of rum to the sauce if you dare.

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Blueberry Bread Pudding

Blueberry Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (21)

Blueberry Bread Pudding Recipe

This easy make-ahead dessert is a great way to use up your buckets of blueberries.

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Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (22)

Credit: Oxmoor House

Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe

The layer of caramel sauce with just a touch of kosher salt is the secret to the velvety-rich interior of this pudding.

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Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding)

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (23)

Credit: Karry Hosford

Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding) Recipe

This Mexican bread pudding features layers of nuts, cheese, dried fruit, and bread drizzled with cinnamon-infused sugar syrup.

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Peach Bread Pudding

Peach Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (24)

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon

Peach Bread Pudding Recipe

Juicy, ripe peaches at the height of stone-fruit season shine in this great summer dessert. The brandy sauce makes it special, but it's also good for breakfast without the sauce.

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Chocolate and Caramel Bread Pudding

Chocolate and Caramel Bread Pudding

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (25)

Credit: Oxmoor House

Chocolate and Caramel Bread Pudding Recipe

We updated classic bread pudding by baking the bread in a chocolate-pudding mixture topped with chocolate-covered caramel candies.

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New Orleans Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

mr - New Orleans Bread Pudding With Bourbon Sauce Reshoot

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (26)

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

New Orleans Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Recipe

Enjoy the best of the Big Easy with this traditional New Orleans-style bread pudding. It tastes so decadent, no one will believe it's been lightened!

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Butternut Squash Bread Pudding with Tres Leches Sauce

Butternut Squash Bread Pudding with Tres Leches Sauce

Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (27)

Credit: Leigh Beisch; Styling: Dan Becker

Butternut Squash Bread Pudding with Tres Leches Sauce Recipe

Feature fall favorite butternut squash in a rich bread pudding topped with a rich sauce made with sweetened milk and sugar.

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Our Best Bread Pudding Recipes (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.

Why is my bread pudding so watery? ›

Temperature Is Key

Finally, to avoid overcooking it, it's important to know when it's done. To check the inside to see if all the liquid has been absorbed, insert a knife into the middle of the pudding and create a small hole by pushing the bread to the side: If liquid begins oozing into the hole, it's not yet ready.

How do you tell 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.

Do you eat bread pudding with a spoon or fork? ›

The dish is served with a fork AND a spoon so you can get every last bit of that heavenly sauce. Advice: Ditch the fork – it's completely superfluous – and dig in with the spoon!

What is Nellie slang for? ›

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

Is Wet Nellie a real thing? ›

"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.

Should you cover bread pudding when baking? ›

Before the inside of your pudding is set, the outer layer can become burnt and dry, which is why covering bread pudding during baking is the best move.

Should bread pudding 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.

Why did my bread pudding come out eggy? ›

You are probably cooking your egg dishes too hot for too long. Eggs contain a lot of water and also chains of proteins; if you could see them, the proteins would be coiled like little springs.

Is it OK to leave bread pudding out overnight? ›

Can bread pudding sit out overnight? Do not let your bread pudding sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours after it has been baked. You should make sure you eat it within 4 days.

Why does my bread pudding fall after bringing out of the oven? ›

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 texture of bread pudding supposed to be? ›

The texture should be like a soft damp cake like mix and have a dense pudding like texture with a crunchy sugar top coating. Its best eaten cold like cake. Bread and butter pudding is totally different having an egg custard type texture and best eaten hot.

Why do Brits call bread pudding? ›

Bread pudding originated with 11th-century English cooks who repurposed leftover stale bread. In the following centuries, the dish became known as "poor man's pudding" because of the scarcity of food at the time, with the pudding being made only with boiling water, sugar, and spices.

Is bread pudding made from old bread? ›

Bread pudding is indeed an old-fashioned dessert, a comforting way to use up stale bread. Any type of bread makes a neutral base for a flavorful custard; use day-old sliced whole-wheat, raisin or sourdough.

Is bread pudding supposed to be soggy? ›

Making perfect bread pudding

Since this is a custard dish, we need to treat it as such, thermally. We want bread that is moist throughout, not chewy and dry. And what we don't want from our custard is something that is either undercooked and runny (soggy milk bread anyone?) or overcooked and scrambled-eggy.

What is a Wet Nelly slang? ›

(UK, slang) Bread pudding.

What is the history of Wet Nelly? ›

According to Speke Hall, the Wet Nelly started out life as a bun loaf. Years ago, shopkeepers are said to have put the bun loaf in the shop window, trickling treacle over it, with heat from the sun making the treacle run. The longer it stood, the wetter it became - hence the name Wet Nelly.

What are wet Nellies made of? ›

Wet Nellie is the local 'affectionate' name for a Liverpudlian speciality – Lord Nelson cake: a pastry case enclosing a mixture of cake crumbs, dried fruit and golden syrup – a bit like golden syrup tart.

What does the name Nellie mean in English? ›

Nellie is an adorable appellation that stems from the Latin name Cornelia and may also be related to the Greek names Eleanor and Helen. This feminine title means “horn” or “sun ray” and certainly has a whimsically divine vibe. Nellie exudes nostalgic charm and is a beloved member of the Vintage Nickname Club.

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