Bread and Butter Pudding

Recipe video above. A quintessential British dessert and a firm favourite world-wide, this is custardy on the inside, and golden and buttery on the surface! While pre-sliced bread works a treat, it's dinner party-worthy when made with bread that can be cut or torn into cubes. Crunchier surface, and better custardy texture inside!This is the Aussie / British version which is far less sweet than typical American Bread Pudding recipes (but still plenty sweet in my opinion!). Toppings are not optional!

Prep time: PT10M

Cook time: PT25M

Total time: PT35M

Rating

4.97 stars (159 reviews)

Keywords

bread and butter pudding, leftover bread recipes, pudding recipes, winter dessert

Ingredients

8 heaped cups white bread, preferably slightly stale, cut into 2.5 cm / 1" cubes ((see Note 1 if for pre-sliced bread))
1 cup sultanas or raisins (or more!)
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk ((low or full fat, not zero fat))
1 cup heavy / thickened cream ((or any other cream, Note 2 for more milk option))
3 tbsp / 40g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
30g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted - for top pre baking
20g / 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted - for brushing post baking ((optional))
Icing sugar / powdered sugar, for dusting
Ice cream, cream, custard, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, etc

Cuisine

Australian
English
Western

Steps

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types)
Egg Mixture: Place eggs in a large bowl, whisk briefly. Add remaining Egg Mixture ingredients and whisk.
Soak Bread: Add bread and sultanas, briefly mix, then set aside for 3 minutes to allow egg mixture to soak through the bread.
Transfer to baking dish: Pour into a baking dish (10 cup / 2.5 litre / 2.5 quart). If you have lots of sultanas on the surface, poke them below the surface (Note 3).
Drizzle then bake: Drizzle over melted butter, then bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden on top and the inside is set but still slightly wobbly (poke to check).
Brush with remaining 1 1/2 tbsp melted butter (optional), then dust with icing sugar.
Serve - rest for a few ninutes, then serve immediately, with toppings of choice! My favourites are ice cream, custard and cream.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 426 kcal
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Protein: 9 g
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Cholesterol: 106 mg
Sodium: 358 mg
Sugar: 17 g

Reviews

Susan on 2026-05-06 (5 stars):
Great recipe! I like it not too sweet and really custardsy, so used only 1/3 cup of sugar and a little less bread - it was just perfect!
Lois on 2026-04-13 (5 stars):
Just what I was hoping for! I'm not much on sweet stuff, but I limited my lunch for this taste of comfort! Is it wrong to have leftovers for breakfast tomorrow? Eggs, bread, dairy... all good!
Lesley Saunders on 2026-04-09 (5 stars):
Absolutely love this recipe used hot cross buns leftover turned out fantastic
Marie Baker on 2026-02-26 (5 stars):
Nagi, Ijust wanted to let you know that I've cooked your Bread & Butter pudding for 120 mostly disadvantaged diners at our community dinner held at our Community Centre in St Kilda. It was an absolute hit, especially served with a big dollop of ice cream! I love varing the recipe depending on the flavour I'm after - sometimes I use croissants or sliced hot crossed buns, spread with Nutella for a more chocolatey version, or jam when I'm making a fruit style pudding. It's such a versatile and well loved dessert - thank you for a wonderful recipe!
alex on 2026-02-01 (5 stars):
Dad loves traditional puddings, made this with brioche, bet here's ever tasted,
Bronwyn Tait on 2026-01-11 (5 stars):
Absolutely delicious I would proudly serve up this pudding for any special occasion. Many thanks for sharing recipes I can rely on.
Penelope on 2025-12-27 (5 stars):
I used the egg custard recipe for the ratios to make a pud with stale date scones. Came out beautifully. Thank you!
Cristi Kersh on 2025-12-24 (5 stars):
I have a recipe I’ve used for years that calls for Pannetone but I always use croissants and add about 1 cup of chocolate chips to the recipe and topped with an amaretto sauce but I am excited to try this recipe! Any recipe of yours is beyond exceptional!
Nigel Allen on 2025-12-15 (5 stars):
I made this last Xmas for the entire family with my left over sourdough (real sourdough I make every week) that I stockpile in the freezer. Got the most compliments for a dessert ever. Making again this week ready for the onslaught. Just Brilliant!
Skye Gillan on 2025-10-27 (5 stars):
What is 8 cups of bread in grams please ?
Jan on 2025-08-24 (5 stars):
We make this with hot cross buns too, brilliant!😄
Kirsty harris on 2025-07-26 (5 stars):
Gorgeous b and butter pudding👍🏼
Karen on 2025-07-18 (5 stars):
This was made gf and df using fruit bread, almond milk and plant based cream. Delighted with dessert tonight! Love recipetineats recipes!
Michelle Chandler-Haynes on 2025-05-02 (5 stars):
I didn't used to be a fan of bread and butter pudding, but had a weird craving for it now I'm 'more mature'! This recipe is absolutely delicious - I live in Greece and we have a sweet cinnamon bread at Easter, which is what I used. It turned out so perfectly!
Michelle H on 2025-03-27 (5 stars):
I made this with store bought cinnamon donuts, it was so delicious. I might add diced apples next time.
Cynthia on 2025-03-26 (5 stars):
Made this using leftover stale croissants because I overestimated how much my family and our guests can eat. It was so warm, comforting, and vanilla-y. Also had to substitute sultanas with dried blueberries since that’s all I have. It was fine, didn’t alter the overall taste much. Btw, Nagu is right. Topping isn’t optional for this recipe. I added a bit of vanilla ice cream before serving and it was a perfect warm and cold dessert that is a crowd pleaser.