Cinnamon Bread Pudding is a comforting classic that elevates stale or leftover bread into a warm, custardy dessert scented with cinnamon and vanilla. This timeless dish is beloved for its simple ingredients and deeply nostalgic flavors, offering a homey sweetness that feels perfect for chilly evenings, holiday gatherings, or anytime you crave a familiar treat. Each spoonful delivers a balance of creamy texture, soft bread, and the cozy warmth of homemade pumpkin pie spice.
To make the pudding, cubes of day-old bread are combined with a rich custard made from milk or cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Generous amounts of ground cinnamon and often a touch of nutmeg meld into the custard, infusing the bread as it soaks. Raisins, chopped apples, or toasted nuts can be stirred in for added texture and flavor, while brown sugar introduces molasses notes that deepen the overall profile. The mixture is baked until the top is golden and slightly crisp while the interior remains soft and custardy.
Cinnamon Bread Pudding is versatile in serving. It can be enjoyed warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. For a lighter approach, serve it with a citrusy compote to cut through the richness. This dessert also adapts well to different types of bread – brioche and challah yield particularly rich results due to their higher fat content, while baguette or sandwich loaves offer a firmer texture.
Beyond flavor, bread pudding represents resourceful cooking. It transforms leftovers into something celebratory and demonstrates how simple pantry staples can produce a showstopping dessert. This makes it a favorite for home cooks who appreciate both thrift and taste. Cinnamon Bread Pudding is a soulful dessert that comforts and satisfies, offering a timeless combination of custard, spice, and baked bread that resonates across generations. Simple and delicious every time.
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread cut into cubes
- 1 1/2 cups milk whole milk preferred
- 1/2 cup sugar granulated
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 eggs beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1/4 cup raisins optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
![Preparing cinnamon bread pudding - a woman butters a white baking dish in a modern kitchen.]()
- Place the bread cubes in a greased baking dish.
![Adding cubes of stale bread to a greased baking dish, a key step in the cinnamon bread pudding recipe.]()
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, cinnamon, beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter until well combined.
![Whisking eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon to create the creamy custard mixture for bread pudding.]()
- Pour the milk mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Allow the bread to soak for about 10 minutes.
![Pouring the egg and milk mixture over bread cubes to ensure they are evenly soaked before baking the cinnamon pudding.]()
- If using raisins, sprinkle them evenly over the soaked bread mixture.
![Sprinkling raisins over the soaked bread for added sweetness and texture in the cinnamon bread pudding recipe.]()
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
![Checking the baked, golden-brown cinnamon bread pudding with a knife to see if it's done.]()
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, possibly with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce!
![A serving of warm cinnamon bread pudding in a white bowl, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.]()
Nutrition
This is like a hug in dessert form! So comforting and delicious. My family loved it.
Absolutely agree! It really does feel like a warm embrace. Perfect for cold nights. ❤️
I followed the recipe exactly, but it turned out really dry. Any idea what I could have done wrong?
Why does everyone love this stuff? It’s just soggy bread with milk and sugar! 🤔
Yum!!! I added some pecans to mine and it was GREAT!! Definitely a keeper recipe.
Simple and cheap! made it with leftover bread and it was pretty good. Will make again!
Glad to hear you liked it! It’s a great way to use up leftover bread.