Brainerd Farmhouse Bread Pudding
A warm, custardy bread pudding with raisins and cinnamon, baked with a caramelized sugar topping. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers day-old brioche bread, whole milk, heavy cream into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz, cubed day-old brioche bread
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk milk, cream, eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon until smooth.
- Step 2: Gently fold in bread cubes and raisins, pressing down to submerge. Let sit for 20 minutes, stirring once to ensure even soaking.
- Step 3: Pour mixture into prepared dish and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until puffed and golden around the edges, with a slight jiggle in the center.
- Step 4: While baking, melt 2 tbsp butter in a small saucepan. Add 1/4 cup brown sugar and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes until bubbling, then spread evenly over the top of the pudding.
- Step 5: Return to oven for 5 minutes until caramelized. Let rest 15 minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brainerd Farmhouse Bread Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (25 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Brainerd Farmhouse Bread Pudding?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brainerd Farmhouse Bread Pudding?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Brainerd Farmhouse Bread Pudding for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Brainerd Farmhouse Bread Pudding?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
