Skip to main content
A golden-brown Bread and Butter Pudding, dusted with powdered sugar, with crisp edges and a soft, custard-soaked center. Switzerland's top chef Silvano Braga shares a spoonful reveals its luscious, velvety texture.

Bread and Butter Pudding

Discover the secret to a perfectly smooth and creamy Bread and Butter Pudding. Made with a delicate water bath technique, this dessert melts in your mouth. Golden, buttery layers of bread soaked in silky vanilla custard—this classic Bread and Butter Pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert.

Total Time
1h 30 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
chef-silvano-braga-background-recipes-left-side-002
Simple & Professional Tasty Recipes

Ingredients for 10 Servings

  • 200 g white bread slices (Parisette or similar)
    8 dl milk
    5 eggs
    120 g sugar
    Powdered sugar for decoration
    100 g butter
    1 vanilla pod
    50 g sultanas
    Butter for greasing the baking dish

Total Time

  • Total Time
    1h 30 minutes
  • Preparation Time
    30 minutes
  • Cooking Time
    30 – 40 minutes

Goes Great with

Method
  1. Preparing the Water Bath:

    You will need a water bath for baking. If you have a deep baking tray, place it in the lower third of the oven and fill it two-thirds with water. Preheat the oven to 150°C while the water heats up.
    Important: Ensure enough space remains for placing the baking dish inside, as it will displace some water.

    Method:

    1. Prepare the Bread & Raisins:
      • Soak the sultanas in water to allow them to plump up.
      • Slice the bread into 1 cm thick slices.
      • Melt the butter and brush each slice with it. Arrange them overlapping in a greased baking dish.
    2. Make the Custard:
      • Sprinkle the soaked sultanas evenly over the bread.
      • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until the sugar is fully dissolved.
      • In a saucepan, heat the milk with the scraped-out vanilla pod until it just comes to a boil. Remove from heat.
      • Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
      • Strain the mixture through a fine sieve back into the saucepan to ensure a smooth custard.
    3. Assemble & Bake:
      • Gently ladle the custard over the bread slices, ensuring an even soak. Take your time to prevent the slices from shifting.
      • Place the baking dish into the prepared water bath in the oven. If necessary, add more hot water to the baking tray until it reaches the sides of the dish.
      • Bake for 30–40 minutes, ensuring the custard never boils. If you notice bubbling, immediately lower the oven temperature.
    4. Check for Doneness:
      • The pudding is ready when you gently shake the baking dish and it no longer wobbles.
      • Another test: Press lightly on the bread with your fingers—it should spring back gently.
    5. Cool & Serve:
      • Remove the pudding from the oven and let it cool almost completely on a wire rack.
      • Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
      • While best enjoyed at room temperature, some say it tastes even better chilled the next day!
    Pro Tips
    • Water bath precision: Keeping the custard from boiling ensures a smooth and creamy texture—watch for bubbles!
    • Bread choice matters: A light, airy bread like Parisette or brioche absorbs custard best without getting too dense.
    • Rest before serving: The pudding’s texture improves as it cools—patience makes all the difference!

Notes

Calories per Serving:

Approx. 400 kcal per portion

Goes Great with