13 Bread Pudding and Cozy Baked Pudding Recipes That Feel Like a Warm Hug

Some desserts are fancy. Others feel like a warm blanket on a cold night. Bread pudding is the second kind. Day old bread soaks up a sweet vanilla custard and bakes until golden on top and soft in the middle. Here are bread pudding favorites and other cozy baked puddings our grandmothers loved, each with an easy recipe. For more old fashioned comfort, see these Sunday dinner classics from Grandma’s kitchen..

Why Bread Pudding Never Goes Out of Style

Bread pudding started as a way to save stale bread, and it turned into one of the most loved desserts in the world. It is cheap, forgiving and endlessly flexible. This skillet version uses brioche, raisins and a warm caramel sauce poured on right before serving. Be honest: do you like your bread pudding soft and custardy or crispy on top?

You will need: 6 cups cubed brioche or challah, 1/2 cup raisins, 4 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 cup cream, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons butter, caramel sauce.

How to make it: 1. Butter a 10 inch cast iron skillet and add the bread and raisins. 2. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. 3. Pour over the bread and press down. 4. Rest 20 minutes. 5. Bake at 350F for 40 minutes and pour warm caramel on top.

Classic Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce

This is the version you find at Southern diners and church dinners. Simple white bread, a rich custard and a buttery vanilla sauce spooned over each warm square. It is the definition of comfort food. Quick poll: A: with raisins, B: no raisins ever, C: chocolate chips instead?

You will need: 6 cups day old bread cubed, 3 eggs, 2 1/2 cups milk, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Sauce: 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350F and butter a 9×13 dish. 2. Add the bread. 3. Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, butter, vanilla and cinnamon and pour over. 4. Bake 45 minutes. 5. Simmer the sauce ingredients 3 minutes and spoon over warm slices.

Chocolate Bread Pudding

For chocolate lovers, this one is pure heaven. Melted chocolate goes right into the custard, and chocolate chips melt into little pockets as it bakes. A drizzle of chocolate sauce makes it even richer. It is the bread pudding to serve when you want to impress. Dark or milk chocolate?

You will need: 6 cups brioche cubed, 4 oz chopped dark chocolate, 2 cups milk, 1 cup cream, 3 eggs, 2/3 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Warm milk and cream and melt in the chopped chocolate. 2. Whisk eggs, sugar, cocoa and vanilla, then whisk in the warm chocolate milk. 3. Pour over the bread and chips. 4. Rest 20 minutes. 5. Bake at 350F for 40 minutes.

Pumpkin Spice Pudding Squares

Pumpkin puree and warm spices turn a basic bake into a fall favorite. Cut it into neat squares, add a swirl of caramel and a strawberry, and it looks like a restaurant dessert. It is a great way to use leftover rolls after Thanksgiving. Do you put pumpkin spice in everything this time of year?

You will need: 6 cups cubed bread or rolls, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 3 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/2 cup cream, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, caramel sauce.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350F. 2. Whisk pumpkin, eggs, milk, cream, sugar, spice and vanilla. 3. Pour over the bread in a buttered dish. 4. Bake 45 minutes. 5. Cool slightly, cut into squares and drizzle with caramel.

Buttery Croissant Bake

Swap the bread for leftover croissants and you get a bake that is flaky on top and silky inside. It tastes like a fancy French bakery treat and is perfect for holiday brunch. Add a handful of blueberries or chocolate chips if you like. Would you serve it for brunch or for dessert?

You will need: 6 large croissants torn into pieces, 4 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 cup cream, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, zest of 1 orange, powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350F. 2. Arrange the croissant pieces in a buttered dish. 3. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and zest. 4. Pour over and let soak 15 minutes. 5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes and dust with powdered sugar.

Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

Yes, you can turn cinnamon rolls into bread pudding, and it is as amazing as it sounds. Chop up store bought or leftover rolls, soak them in custard and bake. The icing goes on top at the end. Kids go crazy for this one. Could you resist eating it straight from the pan?

You will need: 1 can or 8 baked cinnamon rolls cut into pieces, 4 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/2 cup cream, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, icing from the rolls or 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons milk.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350F. 2. Spread the roll pieces in a buttered dish. 3. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar and vanilla and pour over. 4. Bake 35 minutes until set. 5. Drizzle with icing while warm.

Apple Pie Pudding Bake

Cinnamon apples cooked in butter are folded into the bread before the custard goes on, so every bite tastes like apple pie. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It makes the whole kitchen smell like fall. Which do you love more, apple pie or apple crumble?

You will need: 6 cups cubed bread, 3 apples peeled and diced, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: 1. Cook apples in butter with brown sugar and cinnamon for 5 minutes. 2. Toss with the bread in a buttered dish. 3. Whisk eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla and pour over. 4. Rest 15 minutes. 5. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes.

British Bread and Butter Pudding

In Britain, this is a beloved classic. Slices of buttered bread are layered with dried fruit and baked in a light custard until puffed and golden. A sprinkle of sugar on top makes it crackle. Some cooks add marmalade between the layers for a citrus twist. Have you ever tried it the British way?

You will need: 10 slices white bread, 4 tablespoons soft butter, 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit, 3 eggs, 1 1/4 cups milk, 1/2 cup cream, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pinch of nutmeg.

How to make it: 1. Butter the bread and cut into triangles. 2. Layer in a dish with dried fruit. 3. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar and vanilla and pour over. 4. Sprinkle with nutmeg and a little sugar and rest 20 minutes. 5. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes.

Eggnog Bread Pudding for Christmas Morning

Use store bought eggnog as your custard and this bread pudding comes together in minutes. It is warm, nutmeg spiced and perfect for Christmas morning. Assemble it the night before and bake while the presents are opened. Is eggnog a yes or a no in your house?

You will need: 8 cups cubed brioche, 3 cups eggnog, 3 eggs, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 tablespoons butter.

How to make it: 1. Butter a 9×13 dish and add the bread. 2. Whisk eggnog, eggs, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. 3. Pour over the bread, cover and chill overnight. 4. Dot with butter in the morning. 5. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes and cut into squares.

Creamy Baked Rice Pudding

Old fashioned baked rice pudding cooks slowly in the oven until the rice is tender and a golden skin forms on top. It is creamy, gently sweet and perfect warm or cold. Many families fight over who gets the top. Do you eat rice pudding warm with cinnamon or cold from the fridge?

You will need: 1/2 cup short grain rice, 4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pinch of salt, cinnamon or nutmeg.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 300F. 2. Butter a baking dish. 3. Stir rice, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt in the dish and dot with butter. 4. Bake 2 1/2 hours, stirring twice in the first hour. 5. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.

Lemon Sponge Pudding

This pudding does a magic trick in the oven. The batter separates into a light lemon sponge on top and a silky lemon sauce on the bottom. It is bright and comforting at the same time. Spoon it into bowls while warm. Have you ever made a pudding that makes its own sauce?

You will need: 1/4 cup soft butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs separated, 1/4 cup flour, zest and juice of 2 lemons, 1 cup milk.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350F. 2. Beat butter and sugar, then add yolks, flour, zest and juice. 3. Stir in the milk. 4. Whip the whites to soft peaks and fold in. 5. Pour into a dish set in a water bath and bake 40 minutes.

Old Fashioned Christmas Pudding

Christmas pudding is a dark, rich, steamed fruit pudding that is famous for being set on fire at the table. It is packed with dried fruit and warm spices and served with brandy butter or custard. Families often make it weeks ahead. Would you dare to light it at the dinner table?

You will need: 1 cup flour, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup cold butter grated, 2 cups mixed dried fruit, 1 grated apple, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk or stout, 2 teaspoons mixed spice, zest of 1 orange.

How to make it: 1. Mix everything in a big bowl. 2. Pack into a buttered pudding basin. 3. Cover with parchment and foil and tie tightly. 4. Steam in a covered pot of simmering water for 5 hours. 5. Steam again 1 hour before serving.

Silky Baked Vanilla Custard

Sometimes the simplest pudding is the best. Eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla bake gently into a smooth, wobbly custard. Serve it warm or chilled in glasses with a sprig of mint. It is the perfect ending to this list. Which bread pudding or baked pudding will you make first? Tell us below.

You will need: 4 eggs, 2 1/2 cups milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, pinch of salt, nutmeg.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 325F. 2. Warm the milk. 3. Whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt, then slowly whisk in the milk. 4. Strain into ramekins and dust with nutmeg. 5. Bake in a water bath for 35 to 40 minutes until just set.