Best Bread Pudding

Total Time Prep: 20 min. + standing Bake: 40 min.
Yield 15 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Want to make the best bread pudding recipe for your friends and family? Ours is easy, decadent and filled with comforting flavors that are sure to please.

Ingredients

  • 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

Directions

  1. 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.
  2. 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

1 serving: 497 calories, 29g fat (17g saturated fat), 151mg cholesterol, 540mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.

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
Recipe Creator

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