Easy Floated Bread Pudding
A comforting bread pudding with raisins and vanilla, featuring tender stale bread soaked in custard and baked to golden perfection, ideal for family desserts or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Beat the eggs slightly; add sugar, salt, vanilla, and eggs to the milk.
- Butter slices of bread and arrange in a 1 1/2-quart baking dish, buttered side down, with raisins between slices.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the bread slices and let stand for 1 hour.
- Dot the top with butter and bake about 1 hour at 350°F.
- Serve while hot with hard sauce, cream, or plain.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, use stale bread as it absorbs the custard mixture better. If you don't have white bread, you can substitute with leftover Oatmeal Cinnamon Bread for a unique twist. Feel free to add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor. Soaking the bread for a longer time will enhance the texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the bread pudding warm, topped with a drizzle of hard sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence. It pairs beautifully with hard sauce, cream, or even a dollop of whipped cream. Consider serving it alongside a refreshing Mandarin Orange Gelatin Ice Cream Salad for a delightful dessert duo.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick option, but avoid overcooking to maintain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Easy Floated Bread Pudding contains roughly 568 calories, with 2g protein, 51g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (11% of the Daily Value) and potassium (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1233mg per serving (54% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh bread instead of stale?
While stale bread works best for absorbing the custard, you can use fresh bread if needed. To mimic the texture, lightly toast the bread slices in the oven before assembly to help them absorb the liquid without becoming too soggy.
Can I add other fruits or nuts?
Absolutely! This recipe is quite versatile. You can add chopped apples, bananas, or even nuts like walnuts or pecans to the pudding. Just keep in mind that some additions may alter the cooking time slightly.
How do I know when the bread pudding is done?
The bread pudding is done when the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. If it's still liquidy, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes and keep an eye on it to prevent overbaking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).