Berry Bread Pudding Recipe

Bread: Preferably stale and cubed, this forms the base of the pudding.

Mixed berries: Fresh or frozen, these add a burst of tart flavor.

Milk: Provides the liquid base for the custard.

Eggs: Beaten, they help to set the pudding.

Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dish.

Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with a warm, aromatic note.

Cinnamon: Adds a hint of spice and warmth.

When preparing bread pudding, it's crucial to use stale bread as it absorbs the custard mixture more effectively, resulting in a richer texture. If you don't have stale bread on hand, you can quickly dry out fresh bread by spreading the cubes on a baking sheet and toasting them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes. This will help the bread soak up the milk mixture without becoming too soggy.

• stale bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche adds a rich, buttery flavor and soft texture to the pudding.

• stale bread - Substitute with croissants: Croissants provide a flaky, buttery texture that enhances the dessert.

• mixed berries - Substitute with chopped apples: Apples add a sweet and slightly tart flavor, and they hold up well during baking.

• mixed berries - Substitute with raisins: Raisins provide a chewy texture and a concentrated sweetness.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that adds a subtle nutty flavor.

• milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a rich, creamy texture and a hint of coconut flavor.

• beaten eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Flax eggs are a vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients together.

• beaten eggs - Substitute with chia eggs: Chia eggs are another vegan option that provides a similar binding effect.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a slight floral note.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract adds a nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract gives a warm, sweet flavor similar to vanilla.

• cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg adds a warm, slightly sweet, and spicy flavor.

• cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other warm spices like nutmeg and cloves.

• Allow the berry bread pudding to cool completely at room temperature. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dessert soggy.

• Once cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the pudding to an airtight container. This will keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the refrigerator.

• Store the covered bread pudding in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to enjoy, you can eat it cold or reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

• For longer storage, freezing is an excellent option. Wrap individual portions of the pudding in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This method allows you to thaw only what you need.

• To freeze the entire berry bread pudding, wrap the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and then place it in a large freezer-safe bag. This double layer of protection helps prevent freezer burn.

• Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of its freshness. The pudding can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

• When ready to serve, thaw the bread pudding in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

• For a quick reheat, you can also use the microwave. Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

• To maintain the best texture, avoid refreezing the pudding once it has been thawed.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover berry bread pudding in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you want to crisp up the top.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a portion of the berry bread pudding on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover it with a microwave-safe cover or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If not heated through, continue in 30-second intervals until warm.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place slices of the berry bread pudding in the skillet.
  4. Cover with a lid and heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until warmed through.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
  2. Place the berry bread pudding in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook.
  4. If needed, add a piece of foil on top to prevent the top from getting too crispy.

• Oven: Used to bake the bread pudding at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Mixing bowl: Used to whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.

• Whisk: Essential for blending the milk mixture smoothly and ensuring all ingredients are well combined.

• Baking dish: Holds the cubed bread and berries while baking, allowing the pudding to set properly.

• Measuring cups: Used to accurately measure the milk, sugar, and other ingredients.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure small quantities like vanilla extract and cinnamon.

• Knife: Handy for cubing the stale bread into uniform pieces.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the bread into cubes.

• Spatula: Useful for spreading the bread and berry mixture evenly in the baking dish.

• Cooling rack: Allows the bread pudding to cool slightly after baking, ensuring it sets properly before serving.

Use pre-cubed bread: Save time by using pre-cubed bread from the store instead of cutting it yourself.

Frozen berries: Opt for frozen berries to skip washing and prepping fresh ones.

Mix in advance: Prepare the milk mixture the night before and store it in the fridge.

Quick soak: Let the bread cubes soak in the milk mixture for just 10 minutes before baking to save time.

Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven while you assemble the ingredients to save time.