Eggless Bread Pudding made with Eggless/Egg-free Custard and bread slices with added nuts and dried fruits. Serve this delicious warm pudding with more custard or your favourite ice cream and fresh fruits.
About the recipe
Eggless Bread Pudding or Bread and Butter Pudding is a popular and very easy to make British dessert. It is a delicious baked warm dessert that is made with bread, dry fruits and nuts and custard. Traditionally, custard made with eggs is used in the making it, but since these there are a no. of people especially in India who avoid eggs in their cooking. Or, these days lot of food related allergies are coming up and lot many people are allergic to eggs. So, now people have started making the eggless version too.
My mom made this simple CUSTARD BREAD PUDDING with leftover bread in her small oven , that she had during those days. Me and my sister love custard based desserts, chilled fruit custard in summers and warm bread pudding in winters. Those were the days of simple indulgences when there were no fancy mousse and other desserts were available.
History of Bread Pudding and it's Variations
(Source: Online)
Origin of Bread Pudding traces back to 11th century where it was a way to use the leftover bread or stale bread by cooks. Those days it was a common man's desserts or known as poor man's pudding. Slowly and gradually it started gaining popularity as comfort food and now is featured in dessert menu of famous Dine-ins and restaurants.
This pudding is basically made by layering of bread pieces or adding bread cubes in baking tray, with nuts, fruits and dried fruits, topped with custard sauce before baking. You can make endless variations of this pudding with any kind of bread, dry cakes, rusks and other ingredients.
Ingredients for Bread Pudding
Details of ingredients and method in Recipe Card
Bread- Use any bread, but it should be on drier side. Also, leftover Croissants, Danish pastries , Challah, Brioche Buns can also be used for the bread layer. Sourdoughs, Wheat breads are a more healthier choice .
Checkout EGGLESS BIROCHE BUNS here
Custard - For Custard, I use my eggless custard recipe which I use in making FRUIT CUSTARD, CUSTARD TRIFLE, that I make using Custard Powder which is available in India. You can also make it with cornstarch and vanilla essence.
For detailed Click Eggless Custard Recipe
Nuts - I have used a combination of finely chopped almonds, pistachios and cashew nuts. You can also add hazelnuts, macadamia nuts or whatever is availabe to you.
Dried Fruits- Raisins, Cranberries, Prunes Soaked Figs and Apricots. Add in whatever you like.
You can also add fresh fruits like peeled sliced apples, pear, nectarines. Berries like strawberries, blueberries. Orange peel or candied fruits add a lot of citrusy flavour to this baked dessert.
I didn't have orange peel or other candied peel so I added orange marmalade. You can also try it with mixed fruit jam or any fruit preserve. My another favourite is Fig Jam/preserve. When I don't have fig preserve then I add lot of soaked figs. Fresh figs also are just fine.
You can also soak the dried fruits like raisins, cranberries in juices especially orange juice or rum for a boozy kick.
Experiment with the flavors. This is such a versatile recipe that you can make it as per the no. of people, just for the 2 of you, your family or even a large batch.
Butter- Add melted unsalted butter, it adds to the buttery taste in pudding. Spread it on the bread slices or add while making custard. Not shown in the ingredient pic.
Steps to make Bread Pudding
Can I make it one or two days before serving time
Bread pudding can be made ahead, refrigerated overnight or for 1-2 days.
Make Custard a day before and then assemble the bread nuts and custard together and bake.
I prefer not to layer the bread and custard before baking and store(for a day or so) as bread pieces get soggy and lose the texture.
To avoid this bake the pudding and then refrigerate once it completely cools down.
Storing the leftovers and Reheating
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container or cover the dish in which you baked the pudding with a cling film.
Reheat then serve as you like with more custard or vanilla ice cream or just like that. If the baked pudding very dry add 2-3 tbsp milk before reheating .
Recipe Card
Eggless Bread Pudding
Ingredients
Make Eggless Custard
- 2½ Cups Milk 500 ml+½Cup
- ¼ cup Custard Powder or Cornstarch
- 2-3 tbsp Sugar or as required
- 1 tsp Vanilla Essence if using cornstarch or cornflour(as known in India)
To Prepare Pudding
- 6-7 Bread Slices prefer dry bread and made with Whole Wheat Flour
- 2 tbsp Melted Butter(unsalted)
- 1-2 tbsp Orange Marmalade optional
- ½ Cup Mixed Nuts like Almonds, Cashew Nuts, Hazelnuts
- ½ Cup Dried Fruits Raisins, Figs, Apricots, Cranberries, Prunes
- 1½ Cup Custard or as required
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar use as required
- 1 tbsp Almond Meal or coarse mixed nut powder
Instructions
Make Custard
- Boil milk in a heavy bottomed pan on medium flame. Keep ½ Cup milk aside in a bowl before boiling.2½ Cups Milk
- Dissolve custard powder or cornstarch in ½ cup cold milk. Keep aside.¼ cup Custard Powder
- If not using Custard powder, then mix cornstarch and vanilla essence in ¼ cup milk, mix and make slurry.1 tsp Vanilla Essence, ¼ cup Custard Powder
- When milk boils, lower the flame, add the Custard powder slurry in boiling milk. Mix well, keep it stirring so that no lumps are formed.¼ cup Custard Powder
- Add sugar and mix well. Keep the flame to low.2-3 tbsp Sugar
- Cook Custard till it is starts getting thick.
Prepare the baking dish to make Pudding
- Preheat oven to 180°C or 350°C For OTG pre-heat it for 15 mins. with both rods on.
- Prepare a baking tray/dish, brush with little butter.
- Cut bread in cubes or slices as you want to layer it.6-7 Bread Slices
- Layer the slices in a baking dish. Pour melted butter over it. Refer pics in post.2 tbsp Melted Butter(unsalted)
- Spread orange marmalade on slices(if using).1-2 tbsp Orange Marmalade
- Now add chopped mixed dried fruits, nuts. I have used figs and apricots. So I soaked it in warm water for a couple of minutes before adding.½ Cup Mixed Nuts, ½ Cup Dried Fruits
- Spread some custard over it.
- Add one more layer of bread slices. Top it with more nuts and dried fruits.
- Finally add add about ½ Cup Custard or as required over the bread slices.1½ Cup Custard or as required
- Sprinkle brown sugar over it. I also like to add almond meal or coarsely powdered nut over it. It gives a nice crunchy caramel taste to the pudding.1 tbsp Brown Sugar, 1 tbsp Almond Meal or coarse mixed nut powder
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 mins. at 180°C or 350°F
- Once done, take out and let it cool a bot and serve warm with custard and fruits.
Storage and Reheating
- Store the leftover pudding in an airtight container. Or, cover the baking dish with a cling film.
- Reheat in oven at preheat mode (180°C or 350°F) for 5-10 mins.
Notes
Do try this easy peasy bread pudding. My kids love it topped with more custard or vanilla ice cream. Try out ways to serve it or enjoy warm just like that. It's perfect no fuss dessert for get togethers, potlucks.
Include it in your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu or enjoy it just like that on a cozy chilly evening!!
Hope you and your loved ones will surely love it as much as my family loves it.
Do not forget to give your feedback and if you have any queries or questions on the recipes please do ask in the comments section.
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Danielle
The recipe card says bake in preheated oven but it does not state how long to bake it for.
I'm very excited for this recipe since I've discovered I have an egg allergy and can't use my usual bread pudding recipe.
Swati
Thanks for pointing out and stopping by. it is 180 degrees C or 350F in preheated oven for 30-35 mins. Updated the post
Mary
So many comments but did anyone try to make this pudding? I would like to try but I think there is an error in the custard recipe and maybe confusion between US and imperial cups. Three cups of milk US would be 720ml plus 1/2 cup would be 840ml.
Did you mean 2 cups imperial? That would be 500ml, plus 1/2 cup would be 620 total.. Please let me know. I'm ready to bake.
Swati
Hello MAry, thanks for bringing it to my notice. It is 2 cups . Corrected in the recipe card. Do try and let me know
Seema Sriram
This is what I love for winter. I can literally finish the whole amount and call it my happy day. I love the images and the lighting that perfectly reflects the winter setting.
Swati
Thanks so much Seema!
Ani
Bake for how long? What's the temperature to preheat to?
Swati
Thanks for pointing out. it is 180 degrees C or 350F in preheated oven for 30-35 mins. Updated the post
NARMADHA
I am not too fond of puddings but your pictures and recipe is tempting me to try immediately. Bread pudding looks absolutely irresistible and delicious.
Swati
Do try it Narmadha, you will love it.
Sasmita Sahoo
bread pudding in an egg-free version looks like a wonderful dessert!
I love all the tips and tricks you have shared to make this. So quick and easy to make the recipe.
Swati
Thanks Sasmita..
POOJA PANDIT
Wow! Loved this easy recipe! The pudding looks tempting!
Swati
Thanks Pooja!
Anu Kollon
Looks very rich and delicious with the addition of lots of nuts and dried fruits. Never tried the bread pudding with dried fruits. Should try it.
Swati
Thanks Anu.. do try it you will really like li
preethicuisine
Eggless bread pudding is a wonderful dessert. I love your eggless version recipe with all the tips and tricks. It is so quick and easy recipe.There was a time when we used to have desserts so frequently. These days my boys don't want to eat sweets and I crave for it sometimes. I am going to try it sometime .
Swati
Thank Preethi.. do
make it sometime.. it’s a nice change from all the sugar loaded treats as you can adjust sweetness as per your taste and your boys will surely like it for a change
Pavani
I simply love the way you explained making the bread pudding and it looks so delicious and I love the addition of nuts into it. It's been a long time I made it. Thanks for the recipe.
Swati
Thank you Pavani!!
Vasusvegkitchen
Wow what a delicious treat Swaty, bread pudding looks super tempting and very inviting. Liked the way you made this pudding healthy by adding dry fruits and loved the tasty custard creamy texture on bread.
Shobha Keshwani
This is really a very nice dessert. The custard gives a perfect texture to the bread slices and the nuts add to the flavour and nutrition. Very satisfying one.
Swati
Thank you Shobhaji!
Renu
I wanted to make this but never attempted as was not sure if we will enjoy it. Now that you have made it and I have a fool proof recipe that it will work. Will try to make it.
Swati
Thank you Renu!! Do try it.. my kids love it
Mayuri Patel
Swati you've brought back so many fond memories. My aunt use to make Bread Pudding, British Style. Its been ages since I had some. I had asked her for the recipe but because of old age she couldn't remember. Now I have your recipe to follow and perhaps bake it for her too. Looks super tempting.
Swati
Thanks Mayuriji, hope you also make it soon and enjoy it.
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth
I love a good bread pudding and this one seems to be ticking all the right boxes... It is baked well and has a lot of bite factors in it... Looks absolutely amazing...
Swati
Thanks Rafeeda!
Sujata Roy
Wow Swaty eggless bread pudding looks awesome. I am sure it tastes heavenly. You reminded me that I don't have this delicious bread pudding from a long time. Loved your easy recipe and the use of orange marmalade. Also loved the different options for dry fruits, fruits, candied fruits, jam, fruit preserve etc.
Swati
Thank you so much Sujataji!!
Poonam Bachhav
Your eggless bread pudding with custard and dry fruits looks absolutely delectable and very easy to make. Can't wait to try my hands on it.
Swati
Thanks Poonam.. do try it
The Girl Next Door
What a beauty! I love that this pudding is eggless, and the use of orange marmalade here. With that and the dried fruit going in, it's bound to be delicious!
Swati
Thanks Priya.. yes it is delicious.. do make it
Archana
I love the way you have made the simple eggless bread pudding into and exotic and delicious dessert. I am now thinking that I have not made it in ages. Eggless bread pudding reminds me of the days when mom made pudding we loved it, yes those were the times when these simple indulgences were exotic foods.
Love it Swati and thanks for reminding me about the pudding. Will definitely make it tomorrow. I enjoyed being your partner.
Swati
Thanks Archana .. glad my post took you too back in time just like revisited my childhood memories while writing the post.. It is always a pleasure interacting with you .. hope you make it soon and revisit your good memories..