Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding
This Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding is all about rich texture and deep, comforting flavor, transforming simple ingredients into a truly indulgent dessert. A quick step of simmering the raisins in cinnamon-spiced water with butter makes them soft and juicy, while a creamy custard base turns stale challah into a tender, almost soufflé-like dish. Finished with a lightly spiced glaze, it offers crisp golden edges and a soft, velvety center in every bite.
Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding
1 loaf stale challah bread, cubed
2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
5 eggs
½ cup white sugar
1 cup raisins
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp + 1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup water
For the Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Prepare the raisins
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small saucepan, simmer the raisins with the water, butter, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon until they become plump.
Tip: Rehydrating the raisins keeps them soft and prevents them from drawing moisture from the custard while baking.
Step 2: Make the custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, sugar, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Stir in the warm raisin mixture along with its liquid.
Step 3: Soak the bread
Add the cubed challah to the custard, gently folding to coat. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Tip: Letting the bread soak allows the custard to fully absorb, resulting in a soft, evenly textured pudding.
Step 4: Bake
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set.
Step 5: Add the glaze
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Drizzle over the warm bread pudding just before serving.
Warm, cozy, and full of classic flavor, this cinnamon raisin bread pudding is a timeless dessert with a perfectly balanced texture in every bite.
