Ingredients:
- 6 cups of stale bread, cubed (any type of bread works, such as French bread, brioche, or plain white bread)
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: 1/2 cup of raisins or chopped nuts
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a baking dish (approximately 9×13 inches) or individual ramekins.
Prepare the Bread:
Cube the stale bread into bite-sized pieces.
If your bread is not stale, you can toast the cubes in the oven for a few minutes to dry them out slightly.
Make the Custard Mixture:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
Slowly pour in the milk while continuing to whisk, ensuring the mixture is well blended.
Combine Bread and Custard:
Add the cubed bread to the custard mixture.
Gently fold the bread cubes into the custard, making sure all the bread is coated. Allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the custard.
Add Optional Ingredients:
If you’re using raisins or nuts, fold them into the bread and custard mixture.
Transfer to Baking Dish:
Pour the melted butter into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Transfer the bread and custard mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Serve:
Once baked, allow the bread pudding to cool for a few minutes before serving.
It can be served warm or at room temperature.
Optional Toppings:
Dust the top with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple vanilla or caramel sauce before serving, if desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade bread pudding!