This Golden Baked Custard Bread Pudding is a classic comfort dessert with a beautifully caramelized top and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth custard center. It’s made with simple pantry ingredients and is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or afternoon tea. This recipe transforms leftover bread into a rich, satisfying baked treat that tastes even better the next day.
Time & Yield
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Resting Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Servings: 6–8 slices
Ingredients (Exact Measurements)
Bread Base
- 4–5 cups day-old bread
(white bread, brioche, milk bread, or challah work best) - 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the pan)
Custard Mixture
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 cups whole milk (warm, not hot)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
(use brown sugar for deeper caramel flavor) - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but recommended)
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins (Choose 1–2)
- ¼ cup raisins or chopped dates
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons chopped nuts
- Zest of ½ orange or lemon
Step-by-Step Instructions (Detailed)
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Grease a 20×20 cm (8×8 inch) glass or ceramic baking dish with butter.
- Arrange bread pieces tightly in the dish. Slight overlapping is good.
Tip: Tightly packed bread gives a taller, creamier pudding.
Step 2: Make the Custard
In a large bowl:
- Whisk eggs until smooth.
- Add sugar and whisk until slightly pale.
- Slowly pour in warm milk while whisking.
- Add melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Whisk until fully combined and silky.
Important: Milk should be warm, not hot, to avoid cooking the eggs.
Step 3: Combine & Soak
- Slowly pour the custard evenly over the bread.
- Press bread gently with a spoon so it absorbs the liquid.
- Let rest 10 minutes.
This soaking time creates the custard-like center.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
- Place dish uncovered on the middle oven rack.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes.
The pudding is done when:
- Top is deep golden brown
- Center is set (no liquid jiggle)
- Edges are bubbling slightly
For extra browning, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
Step 5: Rest & Serve
- Remove from oven and rest 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
- Dust with powdered sugar
- Drizzle with honey, caramel, or condensed milk
- Serve with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Custard sauce
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Day-old bread absorbs better than fresh bread
- Use glass dish for even browning
- Don’t overbake — custard should be soft, not dry
- Tastes even better the next day
Popular Variations
- Chocolate Version: Add chocolate chips on top before baking
- Coconut Milk Version: Replace 1 cup milk with coconut milk
- Apple Cinnamon: Add thin apple slices + extra cinnamon
- Ramadan Style: Add dates + orange zest
Storage & Reheating
- Store covered in fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat in oven at 160°C (320°F) or microwave gently
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced egg-to-milk ratio for creamy texture
- Slow soak ensures even custard
- High-heat finish creates crispy caramelized top