Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

by

Sure! Here’s a rich, full-length recipe presentation for Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce, including an introduction, ingredients, method, history, benefits, serving ideas, nutrition, and a heartfelt conclusion for bread pudding lovers.

Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of warm cinnamon and vanilla wafting through the kitchen. Bread pudding is a humble dessert with rich roots and deep flavors, often crafted by resourceful grandmothers who believed in wasting nothing. This classic recipe—filled with soft bread, sweet raisins, warm spices, and crowned with a luscious vanilla sauce—is a tribute to those timeless traditions and cozy memories shared at the family table.

History

Bread pudding has been around since the 11th century, originating as a way to use stale bread rather than letting it go to waste. Known in England as “poor man’s pudding,” it evolved into a beloved dish across Europe and America. Over time, cooks enriched it with eggs, milk, and sugar, and added raisins, spices, and sauces to create the comfort-food favorite we know today.

Ingredients

For the Bread Pudding:

  • 4 cups (about 8 slices) cubed day-old white bread
  • 1/2 cup raisins (or golden raisins)
  • 2 cups whole milk (warm)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For the Vanilla Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Method: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Bread Pudding

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 1½-quart baking dish or an 8×8-inch pan.
  2. Place the cubed bread in a large bowl. Sprinkle raisins evenly over the top.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, sugar, beaten eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
  4. Pour the wet mixture over the bread and gently stir to coat. Let it sit for 10 minutes so the bread absorbs the custard.
  5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  6. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the pudding is set in the center.

2. Make the Vanilla Sauce

  1. In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar, flour, and salt.
  2. Slowly stir in the milk and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens (about 5–7 minutes).
  3. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Serve warm, spooned generously over the bread pudding.

Formation

This bread pudding forms a soft, custardy interior with a slightly crisp top. The warm milk and eggs bake into the bread, forming a gentle, rich custard. The raisins offer bursts of sweetness, and the vanilla sauce completes it with silky elegance.

Benefits

  • Reduces food waste: Uses up day-old bread.
  • Nutrient-rich: Contains calcium, protein, and antioxidants from spices.
  • Budget-friendly: Made from pantry staples.
  • Comfort food: Satisfies sweet cravings with simple, wholesome ingredients.
  • Customizable: Add apples, chocolate chips, nuts, or swap raisins for cranberries.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve warm with vanilla sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • Dust with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream.
  • Pairs beautifully with hot coffee, chai, or black tea.

Nutrition (per serving, approx. 1/8 of recipe)

  • Calories: 280
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Calcium: 120mg
  • Iron: 1.5mg

(Note: Nutrition will vary based on exact ingredients and portions.)

Conclusion

Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding isn’t just a dessert—it’s a memory, a tradition, and a symbol of love from generations past. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering, bringing it to a church potluck, or enjoying a quiet evening treat, this pudding brings warmth to the heart and soul. It’s a dessert that whispers, “You’re home.”

For the Lovers of Bread Pudding

To all who love the simplicity of honest food, the warmth of old recipes, and the legacy of grandmothers who cooked with care—this one’s for you. May each bite remind you of the love that fills a kitchen and the joy that lingers around a shared table.

Would you like a printable or shareable recipe card version of this?

Leave a Comment