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Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

A warm, comforting classic made with soft bread, sweet raisins, and a rich custard base, topped with a luscious homemade vanilla sauce. This nostalgic dessert is cozy, simple, and full of old-fashioned flavor.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Soak Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Baked Goods, Comfort Food, Dessert, Family Favorites, Holiday Treats
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups white bread cubed (about 8 slices)
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs slightly beaten
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup butter for sauce
  • 1/2 cup sugar for sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed, for sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract for sauce

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 1.5-quart casserole dish.
  2. Place cubed bread and raisins in a large bowl.
  3. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter over medium heat until butter is melted. Pour over bread mixture and let stand 10 minutes.
  4. Stir in sugar, eggs, vanilla, and nutmeg until combined. Pour into prepared dish.
  5. Bake for 40–50 minutes, until the center is set.
  6. For the sauce, combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, and cream in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened and boiling.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Serve warm sauce over bread pudding.

Notes

Add cinnamon or swap raisins for dried cranberries for variation. Best served warm with extra sauce.