Easy & Delicious Raisin Eggnog Bread Pudding Recipe: A Cozy Dessert or Breakfast Treat

There’s something wonderfully satisfying about taking something that might otherwise go to waste and transforming it into a delightful, comforting dish. This particular culinary journey began with a substantial portion of a magnificent, crusty raisin bread from Aviv Bakery – a delicious reminder of recent indulgences and a testament to the fact that good food is always worth saving. Faced with the dilemma of leftover bread and no time for a hands-on kitchen project, the idea of traditional French toast was quickly set aside. Instead, I opted for its laid-back cousin: bread pudding. Think of it as French toast in casserole form – equally delicious but far less demanding on your time.

This raisin eggnog bread pudding recipe isn’t just about using up leftovers; it’s about creating a warm, inviting dish that perfectly captures the spirit of comfort and coziness. It’s less about a dense, custardy texture and more about a delightful, bready, and French toast-like experience, imbued with the festive flavor of eggnog. It’s perfect for a leisurely breakfast, a decadent brunch, or a comforting dessert after a family meal. The key to its success? Starting with quality bread that’s at least a day or two old, allowing it to soak up all the rich, spiced eggnog custard.

Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is a truly versatile and forgiving dish, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced bakers. It’s the ultimate comfort food, especially during the colder months or holiday season when eggnog is readily available. This recipe stands out because:

• It’s an Excellent Way to Reduce Food Waste: Give stale bread a delicious second life, preventing it from ending up in the compost bin.
• Effortlessly Delicious: Once assembled, the oven does most of the work, freeing you up for other tasks.
• Cozy & Comforting: The warm spices, sweet eggnog, and tender bread create a dish that feels like a warm hug.
• Customizable: Easily adapt it with different types of bread, nuts, or fruits to suit your taste.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Serve it as a hearty breakfast, a delightful brunch centerpiece, or a satisfying dessert.

Recipe: Raisin Eggnog Bread Pudding

Yields: 6-8 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 45-55 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 cups (approx. 1 lb or 450g) stale raisin bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (a good, crusty loaf works best)
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups (720ml) eggnog
• ½ cup (120ml) whole milk (or heavy cream for richer pudding, optional, adjust based on eggnog thickness)
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (adjust to taste, depending on the sweetness of your eggnog)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• Butter for greasing the baking dish

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe casserole dish. This prevents sticking and helps create a lovely crust.
2. Cube the Bread: Evenly distribute the cubed stale raisin bread in the prepared baking dish. Stale bread is crucial here, as it absorbs the custard better without becoming soggy. If your bread isn’t stale enough, you can lightly toast the cubes in the oven for 10-15 minutes before starting.
3. Whisk the Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, eggnog, milk (if using), granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until well combined and the sugar has dissolved. Taste the mixture and adjust sugar or spices if desired – some eggnogs are sweeter than others.
4. Soak the Bread: Pour the eggnog mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure all the pieces are submerged and have a chance to soak up the liquid. Let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes at room temperature, or even up to 30 minutes, allowing the bread to fully absorb the custard. For an even deeper flavor, you can cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
5. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the bread pudding is puffed, golden brown on top, and a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. The internal temperature should reach about 160°F (71°C). If the top starts browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
6. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly. Serve warm, either plain or with your favorite toppings.

Tips for the Best Bread Pudding & Delicious Variations

• Don’t Skip the Stale Bread: This is the golden rule of bread pudding. Fresh bread will turn mushy, while stale bread holds its shape and soaks up the custard perfectly.
• Customizing Spices: Feel free to adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg. A pinch of ground cloves or allspice can also add a lovely complexity, especially for a holiday theme.
• Sweetness Control: Eggnog varies greatly in sweetness. Taste your custard mixture before adding all the sugar. You might need more or less depending on your preference.
• Add-ins: For extra texture and flavor, consider folding in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts, dried cranberries, or a handful of chocolate chips along with the bread.
• Serving Suggestions: This eggnog bread pudding is delightful on its own, but it truly shines with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
• Make Ahead: You can assemble the bread pudding the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it cooks through from cold.
• Different Breads: While raisin bread is fantastic here, you can also use challah, brioche, croissants, or even plain white bread. Adjust sugar if your bread is already sweet.

Discover More Culinary Delights with SwerveCalgary.com!

On a related note, I want to share some exciting news for food enthusiasts and home cooks alike! Swerve Magazine, a fantastic local publication, has officially launched its vibrant online home at SwerveCalgary.com. This new digital platform is quickly becoming a go-to resource for exploring Calgary’s dynamic food scene, discovering new recipes, and enhancing your culinary skills. It’s an incredible hub for anyone passionate about food.

What makes this even more thrilling for me and my colleague Pierre is our involvement in creating compelling new content for SwerveCalgary.com. We’ve been granted access to collaborate with a truly talented vegetarian foodie videographer, allowing us to venture into kitchens and document various food-related stories and techniques. This partnership is all about bringing the kitchen to life, offering engaging visual content that complements the delicious recipes and insightful articles.

So far, our adventures have been incredibly diverse and enriching. I recently had the immense pleasure of collaborating with my friend’s Trinidadian mother to create an absolutely amazing beef stew. It wasn’t just about cooking; it was a deeply cultural experience, learning traditional techniques and flavor profiles that have been passed down through generations. These kinds of stories, blending personal narratives with culinary artistry, are what we aim to bring to the forefront on SwerveCalgary.com.

Pierre, with his expert touch and clear explanations, has already begun demystifying fundamental kitchen skills. He masterfully shows us how to properly chop an onion – a seemingly simple task that many home cooks struggle to perfect. The impact of his teaching is evident; even Mike, a friend of mine, watched Pierre’s tutorial and now follows his precise technique exactly, proving the real-world value of these online resources. Soon, Pierre will continue his series by demonstrating how to confidently access the innards of a winter squash, tackling another common kitchen challenge that can intimidate many. These practical, easy-to-follow videos are designed to empower home cooks, building confidence and expanding their repertoire.

And this is just the beginning! SwerveCalgary.com is committed to bringing you a continuous stream of high-quality content, from in-depth cooking tutorials and unique recipes to explorations of local food markets and interviews with Calgary’s most exciting culinary figures. We’re excited about the journey ahead and invite you to explore the platform for more inspiration and valuable insights into the world of food. There will undoubtedly be much more to come, so be sure to bookmark SwerveCalgary.com and dive into the wealth of delicious content available!