🍞 Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce ✨ Nostalgic flavors made to share with your loved ones. A sweet hug in every bite! 🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️ For the Bread Pudding: - 2 cups milk - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ cup raisins (optional, for sweetness and texture) - 4 cups (8 slices) cubed white bread - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract - 2 eggs, slightly beaten - ½ cup sugar - ¼ cup butter For the Vanilla Sauce: - ½ cup heavy whipping cream - ½ cup butter - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract - ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar - ½ cup granulated sugar 🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳 1. Prep the Oven Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Use a small amount of butter or oil to grease a 1.5-quart casserole or baking dish to prevent sticking. 2. Soften the Bread Place the cubed bread and raisins (if using) into a large bowl. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and ¼ cup of butter over medium heat, stirring until the butter is melted. This process should take 4 to 7 minutes. Pour this warm milk mixture over the bread cubes and let it sit for 10 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the liquid. 3. Combine the Mixture Add the sugar, slightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and nutmeg to the soaked bread. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Transfer this mixture into the prepared baking dish. 4. Bake to Perfection Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the pudding is golden on top and set in the center. Test by inserting a toothpick—if it comes out clean, it’s ready! 5. Make the Velvety Vanilla Sauce While the pudding bakes, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and heavy whipping cream. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil. This should take 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. 6. Serve and Enjoy Spoon warm pieces of bread pudding onto plates or into bowls. Generously drizzle the warm vanilla sauce over the top. Serve immediately for maximum deliciousness! 🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎 Per serving (based on 8 servings): - Calories: ~360 - Carbohydrates: 39g - Protein: 5g - Fats: 20g - Sugars: 28g (Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on portion size and ingredient brands.) 💡 Tips and Tricks 💡 - Bread choice: Slightly stale bread works great here as it absorbs the milk mixture better. If your bread is fresh, leave it out for a few hours to dry before using. - No raisins? No problem! Add chopped dried fruits, nuts, or even chocolate chips for a fun twist. - Make ahead: Prep the pudding the night before, pop it in the fridge, and bake it fresh the next day. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if chilled. - Use a whisk for the sauce to ensure it’s perfectly smooth and lump-free! ⏳ Preparation time 🍰 Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 45-50 minutes (pudding) + 8 minutes (sauce) | Servings: 6-8