Are you a fan of rich, indulgent, and wonderfully creamy food? This Paula Deen bread pudding is for you.
Bread pudding is one of those unicorn dishes you can serve for breakfast or brunch. Or even dinner!
Bread pudding is like French toast, only it’s baked and easier to adjust. But it has many of the same elements, like sweet custard and tender bread.
For example, have you ever tried bread pudding with dark chocolate chips and banana slices? How about white chocolate and raspberries?
Man, I’m getting hungry. Aren’t you? Let’s get this bread pudding in the oven!
What Is Bread Pudding?
Bread pudding is a rich, creamy baked dish featuring stale bread, eggs, milk, and sugar.
Typically, you soak the bread overnight in sweet custard before baking until golden and fluffy.
You can also serve it savory, with cheese, meats, and vegetables.
This simple yet scrumptious dish was first made to use up stale bread. Now you see people leaving fresh bread out to dry- just so they can make it!
Got a craving for bread pudding but don’t have stale bread? No worries! Try chopping fresh bread and baking it to dry it out.
Fresh bread would work in a pinch. But the pudding will be much softer and maybe even mushy. Dry bread is best because it can soak up the custard.
Once the bread is ready, you can make this pudding your own! Try adding bourbon, warm spices, fruit, or chocolate. I love this banana bread pudding.
But you cannot go wrong sticking with this Paula Deen bread pudding. It is perfect on its own.
How to Make Paula Deen’s Bread Pudding
You only need a handful of pantry staples to make Paula Deen’s bread pudding. And about 15 minutes of your time.
Note: Want to serve this as an indulgent breakfast or brunch option? I suggest making it the night before. But don’t bake it yet. Cover it, and leave it in the fridge overnight.
1. Get the bread ready.
Start by cubing the bread. As mentioned, it should be dry and stale. One to two days old should be enough.
(Or you can bake for a few minutes to help it dry.)
Add the bread cubes to a greased baking dish. I like to use butter to add to the richness.
Ideally, use a casserole dish that’s not too deep. Otherwise, the top will burn before the custard in the middle can set.
2. Make the custard.
Add the eggs to a medium-to-large-sized bowl. Whisk the eggs a little to break the yolks and whites. Then, add the sugar and whisk until it is incorporated.
Finally, whisk the milk into the eggs, followed by the vanilla. You can use cream, too, if you prefer.
Pour the sweet custard over the bread. Gently press the top so it sits under the liquid and can absorb.
3. Make the pecan topping.
Now, you need to make the pecan topping. It is a simple blend of brown sugar, butter, and pecans.
I suggest you do this with your fingers and don’t worry about it being perfect. Everything will melt and caramelize in the oven, anyway.
If you need to bake this right away, sprinkle the pecans over the top.
But if you leave it overnight to soak, set the topping aside in the fridge. Add it once it is time to bake.
4. Bake.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177°C) for 30-45 minutes. It’s ready when the top is golden, and the middle springs back when you press it.
Remove the pudding from the oven. Residual heat will continue to cook the pudding for a few minutes.
Serve with sweet brandy sauce, melted chocolate, or even ice cream!
What Is The Best Bread for Bread Pudding?
The best bread for bread pudding includes brioche and challah. But any mild, sturdy loaf will work.
French baguettes would be excellent, as would a Pullman loaf. It should be a whole loaf you cut into cubes. Most pre-sliced loaves are too thin.
Make sure the bread is a day or two old.
I like to use brioche because it’s an enriched bread (it’s made with eggs and butter). That added flavor makes the bread pudding extra indulgent.
Unless you’re making savory bread pudding, stay away from anything seeded or sour.
Tips & Tricks
Are you worried the bread is not stale enough? Panicking that the middle will not set?
Do not worry; this recipe is crazy easy! Plus, I have a few tips and tricks to keep you on track:
- Chop fresh bread into cubes and either bake until golden. Or leave them out overnight to dry.
- Stale bread is your best friend for this recipe. But always ensure it is not moldy.
- Use brown sugar for a caramel finish.
- Try adding raisins to the mix to plump up as the mixture sits.
- Leave the bread pudding to sit before baking. For at least a few hours-overnight if possible.
- Remove the dish from the fridge about 30 minutes before it goes into the oven.
- Use whole milk or a mix of milk and cream for extra decadence.
- Make it extra sinful! I love adding orange zest and dark chocolate chips.
More Bread Pudding Recipes You’ll Love
Croissant Bread Pudding
Apple Pie Bread Pudding
Banana Bread Pudding
‘Ohana Bread Pudding
How to Make Paula Deen’s Bread Pudding
This recipe is enough for 15 servings. If you have time, cube the bread the night before. And leave it out, uncovered, to dry.
Paula Deen Bread Pudding Recipe
15
servings15
minutes15
minutesLooking for a cozy fall dessert? Paula Deen’s bread pudding is for you! This bread pudding features sugared pecans, creamy custard, and brandy butter sauce.
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
2 cups White Sugar
5 large Eggs (lightly beaten)
2 cups Milk
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
3 cups stale Italian Bread (24 ounces)
- Pecan Topping Ingredients:
1 cup packed Light Brown Sugar
1/4 cup softened Butter
1 cup chopped Pecans
- Sauce Ingredients:
1 cup White Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup melted Butter
1 lightly beaten Egg
1/4 cup Brandy
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177°C).
- Spray a 13×9 inch, 2-inch deep casserole dish with cooking spray or grease with butter.
- Add the bread to the baking dish in an even layer.
- In a medium bowl, lightly whisk 5 eggs. Then, add 2 cups of sugar and whisk to combine.
- Pour the milk and vanilla into the egg mix and gently whisk to incorporate.
- Pour the custard over the bread and gently push down so the custard covers everything.
- Leave to sit for at least 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup of soft butter with the brown sugar and chopped pecans until there are no large lumps of butter.
- Sprinkle the pecan topping over the bread and custard.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, until golden brown and set in the middle.
- To make the sauce:
- Whisk 1 cup of white sugar with 1/2 cup of melted butter in a small saucepan.
- Add 1 egg, 2 teaspoons of vanilla, and whisk until well blended.
- Heat gently over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the brandy and blend until smooth.
- Pour over the bread pudding and serve hot or cold.
Notes
can i freeze this bread pudding?
Hi Pikka!
Yes, you should be able to freeze this.
I suggest baking it in a freezer-safe dish, then let it cool fully before double wrapping the whole tray in plastic followed by a layer of foil.
Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge overnight.
Let it come to room temp while the oven preheats, then bake at about 325-350°F, covered with foil, for 10-15 minutes
Great recipe! Easy too, which only makes it better. Shared with my friends and they loved it.
Hi Catherine, I’m so happy to hear that! And thanks so much for sharing the recipe with your family and friends!
Love the recipe. I wato try it.
What can I substitute for brandy?
Hey, Lianne! I, personally, haven’t tried this recipe yet. But I looked around at similar recipes and found a few things. Keep in mind, these are merely suggestions based off what I researched. I can’t guarantee how well they’d work.
Brandy extract would probably be what I tried first. For 1/4 cup of brandy, you’d need to use about 1/2 teaspoon of brandy extract mixed with slightly less than 4 tablespoons of water.
You might also be able to substitute apple juice or apple cider at a 1:1 ratio. Or orange juice (2 tablespoons mixed with 2 tablespoons of water).
If you try one of those, let me know how it turns out. We might want to adjust the recipe to include the substitution once we know it works. 🙂
Awesome Recipe😍 Thanks Paula👍🏽 Love the sauce
I once saw Paula Deen make a bread pudding on the Ellen Degeneres show–the “bread” was Krispy Kreme donuts! And sweetened condensed milk was the custard base. Beyond, I say BEYOND, decadent! But this looks a little more reasonable, and I can’t wait to try it.
Wow, Cyndy!
That does sound decadent. But I bet it was delish!
Hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
4-Rivers barbeque restaurant offers the Krispy Kreme version. Delicious but I had to take a few bites to get accustomed to the sweetness.
What kind of bread can i use in place of the italian bread?
Hi Caren!
If you don’t have Italian, the best bread for bread pudding is either brioche or challah.
But really, any mild, sturdy loaf will work.
French baguettes would be excellent, as would a Pullman loaf.
As long as you’re cutting it into chunks (stay away from pre-sliced) and it’s stale, you should be all set.
You can even use stale croissants!
This recipe is really good!! I make bread pudding with plain bagels; very light and fluffy. Another easy sauce is melted vanilla ice cream.
Can this be made without brandy? Thanks
Hi Sarah, yes! You can make this recipe without brandy. Try swapping in some apple cider or orange juice for a different flavor.