This old fashioned bread pudding recipe is a classic, rich dessert that’s packed with banana flavor and a touch of sweetness, offering a unique, crunchy texture thanks to the caramelized edges of the bread.
This warm and comforting, old-fashioned dessert is a family favorite at our place. It perfectly combines the richness of a bread pudding with an absolutely incredible banana flavor. I love how it’s perfect for any time of year, especially during the colder months when a bit of comfort food is just what you need.
If you love this recipe, you’ll also enjoy my other vintage dessert recipes like chocolate pie or raisin cake. They all have that old-fashioned, comforting appeal that’s hard to resist.
This recipe was found in the 1969 published Beta Sigma Phi cookbook. A personal on this recipe states that the recipe belongs to the writer’s grandmother. It was originally in Germany and had been in their family for over 70 years.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavors: This bread pudding recipe is a perfect combination of traditional, time-tested ingredients, resulting in a dessert that’s packed with classic flavors.
- Family Favorite: This old-fashioned bread pudding is a true family favorite. It’s a recipe that’s been passed down through the generations, and it’s sure to become a staple in your household too.
- Comfort Food: There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting dessert on a cold day. This bread pudding is the perfect comfort food, offering a rich, creamy treat that will warm you from the inside out.
- Time-Tester: This recipe is a time-tested classic. It’s been a favorite in kitchens for years, and for good reason. The simple, wholesome ingredients come together to make a truly delicious dessert.
- Great for Leftovers: It’s the perfect way to use up leftover or slightly stale French bread and turn it into a delicious dessert everyone will enjoy!
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Key Ingredients
- Eggs: These will be beaten to add a light, fluffy texture to the bread pudding.
- Sugar: This will sweeten the pudding, giving it a rich, delicious flavor.
- Milk: This is the main liquid in the recipe, and it will make the pudding creamy and moist.
- Ground Nutmeg and Ground Cinnamon: These spices will add a warm, sweet flavor to the pudding, complimenting the sweetness of the sugar and the fruit.
- Vanilla Extract: This will add a sweet, floral flavor to the pudding.
- French Bread: This will be cubed and will absorb the egg mixture, becoming soft and custardy in the pudding.
- Seedless Raisins: These will add a chewy texture and a sweet, tangy flavor to the pudding.
- Banana: This will add a sweet, creamy flavor and a soft texture to the pudding.
Equipment
- Medium-Sized Bowl – You’ll need this to beat the eggs and mix the sugar, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla for the egg mixture.
- Large Bowl – This is where you’ll cut the bread into cubes and pour the egg mixture over it, then add the raisins and bananas.
- Square baking pan – This is essential for baking the bread pudding in the oven. Remember to grease it beforehand.
How to Make Old Fashioned Bread Pudding
Preparation
To start, preheat your oven to 350˚ F and grease a square baking pan.
Step 1 – Prepare the Egg Mixture
Beat the eggs in a medium-sized bowl until they are light in color. Next, add the sugar, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla to the bowl. Mix all these ingredients until they are well combined.
Step 2 – Soak the Bread
Take your slices of French bread and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place these cubes in a large bowl. Now, pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and toss them lightly to guarantee that they are evenly coated.
Step 3 – Add the Raisins and Bananas
Next, add the seedless raisins and sliced bananas to the bowl with the bread and egg mixture. Again, toss everything lightly to mix the ingredients and make sure that the bread is covered by the egg mixture.
Step 4 – Bake the Bread Pudding
Pour the mixture into your greased baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Step 5 – Cool and Serve
Once your bread puddings are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool. Once cooled, you can serve them with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of sweetness. Enjoy your delicious, old-fashioned bread pudding!
Expert Tips
To guarantee that the banana is evenly distributed throughout your bread pudding, consider cutting it into small cubes instead of slices. This will help to prevent the banana from sinking to the bottom of the pudding during baking.
Recipe Variations
- Nuts: Add a crunchy texture to your bread pudding by incorporating a cup of chopped pecans. The nuts will complement the softness of the bread and add a satisfying contrast.
- Omit Raisins and Bananas: You could also entirely omit the raisins and bananas if you prefer, but I don’t personally recommend doing so since they add a delicious flavor and moisture to the bread pudding.
- Bread Swap: While French bread is the classic choice for bread pudding, you can experiment with different types of bread for a unique flavor. This recipe can work well with Challah, brioche, or even a hearty whole wheat bread.
What to Serve With
- For a simple yet delicious treat, serve with a dollop of whipped cream. The lightness of the cream perfectly compliments the rich, warm flavors of the pudding.
- For a truly delicious dessert, drizzle caramel sauce over the top of your old fashioned bread pudding. The sweet, buttery flavor of the caramel adds an extra dimension to the dish that your guests will love.
- If you’re a fan of contrast, try serving with a strong, black coffee. The bitterness of the coffee works wonderfully with the sweet, creamy pudding.
- For a brunch time treat, pair with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The citrusy, refreshing juice helps to balance out the richness of the pudding, making it the perfect start to your day.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can. While French bread is the traditional choice for bread pudding, you can experiment with other types of bread to add different flavors and textures to your pudding. Challah and brioche are both excellent options.
In addition to the raisins and bananas called for in the recipe, you can also add other fruits like apples, pears, or berries. Just make sure to cut them into small pieces so that they mix well with the pudding.
You should let the bread pudding cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows it to bset and makes it easier to cut into neat portions.
The bread pudding is fully baked when it’s golden brown and puffed up. You can also insert a knife into the center – if it comes out clean, the pudding is ready.
Yes, you can assemble the bread pudding and store it in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking. This is a great time-saving tip if you’re preparing for a special occasion.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate: If you have any leftover bread pudding, you can store it in the refrigerator. Place the bread pudding in an airtight container and it will keep well for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Unfortunately, this bread pudding recipe doesn’t freeze well due to the custard-like nature of the dish. Freezing may cause the texture to become soggy and unpleasant.
- Reheat Instructions: If you’ve stored your bread pudding in the refrigerator, you can easily reheat it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350˚ F, place the bread pudding in a baking dish, and cover with foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
More Old Fashioned Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This old-fashioned bread pudding recipe yields a delicious dessert that can serve 6 to 8 people.
- How to Scale: If you’re expecting more guests or want to have leftovers, you can easily double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Just make sure to use a larger baking dish to accommodate the increased quantity.
Old Fashioned Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ Cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ Cup milk
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 7-8 slices French bread 1-inch slices and then into 1-inch cubes
- ¾ Cup seedless raisins
- 1 banana sliced dime sized
- whipped cream optional topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Grease a square baking pan.
- Beat the eggs in a medium sized bowl for 2 minutes or until light in color. Add the sugar, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and add to a large bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and toss lightly.
- Add the raisins, and bananas and again toss lightly until everything is mixed and the bread is covered by the egg mixture. Add to square baking dish.
- Bake in a 350˚ F oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and serve with whipped cream.
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