Bread and Butter Pudding is my go-to dessert for Father’s Day. I love its comforting, rich flavors. This classic dish always brings warmth and joy to the table.
Contents
Bread and Butter Pudding recipe
Bread and Butter Pudding is one of the classic British desserts. It’s also one of my favorite puddings in the whole wide world. The dessert is made from leftover bread. It consists of buttered bread, raisins, and custard flavored with cinnamon or nutmeg. This simple and rich dish transforms unused bread into a delightful dessert.
Bread and butter pudding evolved from “whitepot,” a medieval pudding with bread, cream, and sugar. Over time, it became popular in British households and spread to other countries. In America, there is a similar dessert called “Cold Bread Pudding.”
There are many variations of bread and butter pudding. I prefer the basic version of the pudding. Here is how to make a traditional bread and butter pudding, no cream.
Bread and Butter Pudding
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
Nutrition
Pairing suggestions
Bread and butter can be served with a variety of foods and drinks.
- Common Accompaniments
- Vanilla sauce enhances flavor.
- Custard complements the pudding’s rich texture.
- Ice cream adds creaminess and enhances sweetness.
- Double cream adds indulgence when drizzled over pudding.
- Heavy cream provides a luxurious flavor.
- Crème Fraîche offers a refreshing tang alongside sweetness.
- Fruits balance pudding richness with fruity elements.
- Spiced syrups add aromatic flavors with cinnamon or cardamom.
- Beverages
- Baileys creates a luxurious experience when paired with pudding during winter months.
- Sauternes complements the pudding’s creamy texture and sweetness perfectly.
- Passito di Pantelleria enhances the pudding’s fruitiness with its marmalade-like flavors.
- Whisky cream provides a warming contrast to the pudding’s sweetness, especially on festive occasions.
- Coffee balances the pudding’s sweetness with its strong flavor.
- Tea complements the dessert, especially Earl Grey or English Breakfast.
Variations
Here are some versions of the bread and butter pudding:
- Fruit-Inspired Variations
- Banana pudding includes sliced bananas for sweetness and texture.
- Apple streusel pudding features a crunchy apple topping.
- Stone fruit pudding combines pandoro cake with seasonal fruits.
- Chocolate Variations
- Chocolate pudding layers custard with chocolate pieces.
- Croissant pudding pairs white chocolate with raspberries.
- Unique Ingredients
- Marmalade pudding blends citrusy marmalade with whisky.
- Peanut butter pudding spreads jelly between bread layers.
- Seasonal Variations
- Easter pudding uses leftover hot cross buns.
- Christmas pudding incorporates festive panettone.
- Modern Twists
- Croissant dessert replaces bread for a lighter texture.
- Date pudding mixes sticky dates with cinnamon for winter.
