a freshly baked bread pudding with a golden crust, garnished with berries and a dusting of powdered sugar

Stale bread pudding

stale bread transformed: a modern pudding story

By:

Savory Touch

Published:

05 Oct 2025

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Do you ever find yourself staring at a loaf of bread, now hard as a rock, wondering what to do? Before you resign it to the bin, consider this: stale bread is an ingredient waiting for its moment. My grandmother, bless her heart, always said, 'Never waste a crumb!' And that’s where the inspiration for this modern bread pudding comes from. It's not your grandma's recipe (though I secretly think she'd approve); it's a fresh, flavorful take on a classic comfort food. It's just so sad to think of all that food getting trashed, right? One time, I threw away an entire bag of oranges after only eating one...I felt terrible!
close-up of stale bread cubes being tossed in a bowl with eggs and spices
The beauty of bread pudding lies in its simplicity and adaptability. It’s a blank canvas for flavors. While traditional recipes often lean heavily on dried fruits and spices, this version embraces a lighter touch, allowing the natural flavors of the bread and custard to shine. Think creamy vanilla, a hint of citrus, and maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon if you're feeling festive. You can really make it your own!
a baker pouring custard over a pan of stale bread cubes

Required Equipments

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Stale Bread Transformed: A Modern Pudding Story: Frequently Asked Questions

Stale Bread Transformed: A Modern Pudding Story

Transform your leftover stale bread into a comforting and decadent bread pudding. This modern twist uses simple ingredients and techniques to create a dessert that's both delicious and sustainable, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.

⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 8 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time:

🍽 Ingredients

📖 Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. This step is IMPORTANT – no one wants a bread pudding glued to the pan!
  2. Cut the stale bread into 1-inch cubes. You should have about 8 cups. Don't worry if they're not perfect; rustic is good. Kinda like me trying to parallel park.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 3 cups of whole milk, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional), and a pinch of salt. Make sure it's all nicely combined, no eggy streaks allowed!
  4. Place the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, pressing down gently to ensure the bread is soaked through. Let it sit for about 20-30 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard. This is crucial for a moist pudding.
  5. Sprinkle the top of the bread pudding with a little extra sugar (about 1-2 tablespoons) for a nice, caramelized crust. Now, if you're feeling fancy, dot the top with small pieces of butter for extra richness.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the bread pudding is golden brown and set. A knife inserted into the center should come out mostly clean. If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.
  7. Let the bread pudding cool slightly before serving. It's delicious warm or at room temperature. I personally love it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
  8. For an extra touch, dust the top with powdered sugar or garnish with fresh berries. Because why not?

📝 Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use brioche or challah bread.
  • Add raisins, chocolate chips, or nuts for extra texture and flavor.
  • Serve with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, or fresh berries.

🍎 Nutrition

Calories: 350 kcal

Protein: 10 g

Fat: 12 g

Carbohydrates: 50 g

Fiber: 2 g

Calcium: 150 mg

Waste is a poverty you create yourself. Turn what you have into something wonderful.

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