Quick and Easy Bread and Butter Pudding for Father’s Day

Bread and Butter Pudding is a British classic – and it is one of my favorite puddings in the whole wide world. (I’ve traveled far and wide enough to feel I can justify saying that!)

This dessert is likely evolved from earlier dishes like “whitepot,” a medieval pudding made with bread, cream, and sugar. Over time, it became a favorite in British households, and variations of it have since spread to other countries. In American cuisine, there is a similar dessert known as “Cold Bread Pudding.”

Healthy bread and butter pudding
Bread and butter pudding using old fashioned

There is nothing fancy about this simple bread and butter pudding, no specialist ingredients, just bread that’s a day or two past its best and a few other things you’re bound to have in your stock cupboard.

When I was a child staying with my grandparents, my grandad and I would race to see who would finish pudding first, and this was the only pudding I could ever beat him on. it’s full of good memories, of warm kitchens and cozy nights with my grandparents, of simple food, and of love.

There are many, many variations on bread and butter pudding. Some add chocolate (chips or chunks), fruits (raisins, bananas, lemon, apples, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries), jams (apricot), whisky or marmalade, nutella, or both chocolate and fruits (chocolate orange or chocolate and raspberry).

Simple recipe for bread and butter pudding
My easy bread and butter pudding recipe

Some swap bread or croissants for brioche, use cream or condensed milk rather than milk, or create a vegan recipe (dairy-free and eggless).

However, this is a back-to-basics version and I would choose it every time. Here is how to make a traditional bread and butter pudding, no cream. By the way, you can try my other British dessert recipes here.

Bread and Butter Pudding

A classic and comforting dessert
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine British
Servings 8
Calories 173 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • About half a loaf of bread sliced, buttered and cut into squares (stale is fine – the custard soaks in so well)
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 1/2 a pint of milk
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar
  • Rasins and sultanas
  • Mixed spice

Instructions
 

  • Grease a square baking dish and preheat the oven to 180oC.
  • Put the caster sugar and milk into a pan and heat gently, stirring all the time until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is heated through – but do not boil.
  • Whisk the eggs together in a bowl then add the milk mixture a bit at a time, whisking well.
  • Place squares of bread into the dish so that they cover the bottom. Sprinkle with a handful of the raisins, sultanas, and some mixed spice. Pour over enough of the custard to soak all the squares. Then repeat for another layer. For the final layer, repeat, but omit the raisins and sultanas. You should use up all the custard.
  • Place into the oven and cook for 40-45 mins until the top is browned and crunchy and the custard has set. Serve immediately, with cold milk for pouring.

Notes

– Bread and butter pudding can be served with some delicious options, such as custard, ice cream, whipped cream, sauce (caramel or chocolate), or lemon curd.
– To store, you should let it cool completely and put it tightly and place it in the refrigerator. To extend the longevity of your pudding, you can freeze it, which can preserve its quality for up to three months.
You can reheat the bread and butter pudding in the oven at 180°C by warping it with aluminum foil. Let it heat up for 10 to 15 minutes, adjusting the time to achieve your desired temperature. Alternatively, for a quicker option, you can warm it in the microwave for approximately 2-3 minutes.
Keyword baking, British, desserts, homemade
Johanna Cleveland
About the author
Kate

Hi, I'm Kate, the creator of Happy Baking Days. I'm a food lover, recipe creator, and kitchen explorer. I have amateur baking knowledge gained from years spent in the kitchen with my grandma and mum, where I graduated slowly from dusting work surfaces with flour and licking the spatula to the finer arts of pastry and meringue. Now in my own kitchen, I put all those years of training into practice, experimenting with recipes and ingredients from around the world. Join me as I share my culinary journey and favorite recipes that make cooking a delightful experience.

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