Caramelized Vanilla Bread Pudding — Shareable Even with Your Enemies!
This delightful bread pudding is made from simple, affordable ingredients yet results in a glossy, caramelized dessert bursting with vanilla aroma. The secrets? Using slightly sweet bread like cozonac or poppy seed rolls and sprinkling sugar on the baking dish bottom to create a luscious caramel sauce once inverted.
You can keep it classic with vanilla, as I did (served with vanilla sauce and ground poppy seeds), or enrich it by infusing flavors in the milk or adding extras between bread layers. Pair with caramel, rum, chocolate, or fruit sauces to suit your mood.
🍞 Ingredients (Serves 6)
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Poppy seed rolls (1-2 days old) | 2 rolls (~160 g) |
| Milk | 550 ml |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Sugar (white or brown) | 150 g |
| Bourbon vanilla sugar | 2 packets |
| Butter (room temperature) | 50 g |
🔪 Preparation Steps
- Prepare the baking dish:
Spread 1 tablespoon of butter on a loaf pan (25x10x7 cm) or similar ovenproof dish with slightly taller sides.
Sprinkle 50 g sugar and 1 packet of vanilla sugar evenly over the bottom. - Cut and butter bread:
Slice the rolls. Spread remaining butter on each slice. Stack 3-4 slices and cut into cubes. Repeat for all slices. - Arrange bread in pan:
Place bread cubes evenly in the prepared dish.
(Optional: add soaked raisins, diced apple, banana chunks, or chocolate chips between bread pieces.) - Prepare custard:
Whisk remaining sugar (100 g), vanilla sugar packet, and milk until sugar dissolves. Add eggs and whisk until smooth. - Soak bread:
Pour custard over bread cubes evenly. Press gently with the back of a spoon to ensure bread soaks well. The custard should nearly cover the bread.
(Tip: Infuse milk beforehand with lemon/orange zest, coffee, or tea for extra aroma.) - Bake:
Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 1 hour. The pudding will rise but will deflate slightly when removed—this is normal. - Cool and invert:
Let the pudding cool in the pan for at least 3-4 hours to set. Then invert onto a serving platter to reveal the caramelized top.
💡 Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Use sweet or enriched bread like cozonac or brioche for best flavor and texture.
- Serve with vanilla sauce, caramel sauce, or sprinkle with ground poppy seeds for traditional flair.
- Add dried or fresh fruit for variety.
- Make ahead and enjoy chilled or warmed slightly.
🧾 Final Thoughts
This caramelized vanilla bread pudding is easy, elegant, and guaranteed to impress—perfect for sharing, even with your fiercest rivals!