All are delicious once soaked in custard and baked.

The cinnamon offers a nice subtle spice to what is typically a rich, decadent dessert.

Learn how to make classic bread pudding at home.

Southern Living Bread Pudding in the pan to serve after baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

What Is Bread Pudding?

Bread puddings are especially beloved because they use simple ingredients that turn into a special dish once baked.

What is the best bread for bread pudding?

Southern Living Bread Pudding ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Challah bread is a great choice for bread pudding.

Yes, you’ve got the option to make bread pudding ahead of time.

Like a breakfast casserole, bread pudding can sit several hours before it’s baked.

Southern Living Bread Pudding in the baking dish to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The harder bread is needed so that it won’t quickly soak up the custard and turn mushy.

Cover, and let sit in the fridge 4 hours or up to 8.

Add the turbinado sugar just before baking.

Southern Living Bread Pudding spraying the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It’ll melt beautifully over the bread pudding and form a sauce of its own.

Whipped cream will do the same.

Or, instead of ice cream or whipped cream, we love a flavorful sauce.

Southern Living Bread Pudding placing the bread cubes in the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

TryBourbon Sauce,Praline Sauce, or evenApple Cider Caramel Saucewith this bread pudding recipe.

First, wrap the baking dish with storage wrap, and move it to the fridge.

It can stay there up to 3 days.

Southern Living Bread Pudding heating the milk mixture in a saucepan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The bread may soften more, but it’ll still be delicious.

Can You Freeze Bread Pudding?

Then, let it cool completely before wrapping it in storage wrap and aluminum foil.

Southern Living Bread Pudding whisking the hot milk mixture into the eggs

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

When you’re ready to enjoy it, move the whole dish to the fridge, and thaw overnight.

Bake from cold, adding several extra minutes to get it warmed throughout.

More Favorite Bread Pudding Recipes

Love this classic bread pudding but want something a little more special?

Southern Living Bread Pudding whisking the egg mixture into the rest of the milk mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We’ve got plenty of delicious bread pudding recipes:

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1(16-oz.

)challah bread loaf, cut into 1 1/2-in.

Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Southern Living Bread Pudding pouring the custard over the bread

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Place bread cubes in an even layer in prepared baking dish; set aside.

Place eggs in a medium bowl; set aside at room temperature.

Finish custard:

Whisk egg mixture into remaining milk mixture in saucepan until combined.

Southern Living Bread Pudding sprinkled with turbinado sugar

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Top with sugar:

Sprinkle evenly with turbinado sugar.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Southern Living Bread Pudding after baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox