There’s nothing quite like the comfort of an Irish bread and butter pudding. It’s simple, homey, and full of warmth — the kind of dessert that feels like a hug from your granny, especially on a rainy evening in Ireland. Below is a recipe that brings together soft bread, creamy custard, rich butter, and subtle fruits/spices (depending on what you like) to create a pudding that’s hard to resist.
Why You’ll Love This
- Uses ingredients you probably already have around — rescue your stale bread!
- Custardy, creamy, and comforting without being too heavy.
- Can be baked in one dish, perfect for family meals or cozy get-togethers.
- Adaptable — you can add raisins, spices, jams, or local fruits.
Ingredients
Here are what you might need (adjust quantities based on how big your baking dish is):
- Slices of bread (white or a mix; slightly stale works best)
- Butter, for spreading on the bread
- Eggs
- Milk (or mix of milk + cream)
- Sugar (white or brown)
- Vanilla extract
- Optional extras: raisins or currants, spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, maybe a splash of whisky or Irish cream if you fancy
Method
- Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Bread
Butter the slices of bread on both sides (or one side, depending on texture you like). If using raisins, you can intersperse them between layers. - Make Custard
Whisk together eggs, milk (and/or cream), sugar, vanilla, and any spices. If you like a richer pudding, use more cream; for a lighter pudding, more milk. - Assemble
Layer the buttered bread slices in a baking dish, pouring custard mixture over as you go so the bread soaks up the liquid. - Soak & Rest (optional)
Let the bread soak for a few minutes so it fully absorbs the custard. - Bake
Bake at moderate temperature (maybe around 160-180°C / 325-350°F) until the top is golden brown and the middle is set (but still a little jiggly if your oven is gentle) — could be around 30-45 minutes depending on depth. - Finish & Serve
Let the pudding rest a little after baking. Serve warm, ideally with something creamy or sweet — whipped cream, custard, ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Pro Tips
- If your bread is fresh, stale it a little (leave out overnight) so it holds the custard better.
- Use thick slices of bread so it doesn’t go soggy.
- Don’t over-bake: being a little soft in the middle is good.
- Spice it up: cinnamon, nutmeg, even orange zest can add lovely aroma.
Other Dishes to try:
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