Holiday Spice Bread Pudding: The Ultimate Comfort Dessert

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There’s something undeniably magical about bread pudding during the holiday season. This Holiday Spice Bread Pudding transforms simple pantry staples into a warm, aromatic dessert that fills your home with the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner or looking for a cozy weekend treat, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.​

What makes this bread pudding special is the perfect balance of textures: custardy interior meets golden, crunchy pecan topping. The warm spice blend creates depth and complexity that elevates this classic comfort food into something truly memorable. Plus, it’s an excellent way to use up day-old bread, making it both economical and delicious.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Holiday Spice Bread Pudding checks all the boxes for an ideal dessert. First, it’s incredibly forgiving whether you prefer a more custard-y texture or something firmer, you can adjust the bread-to-custard ratio. Second, the make-ahead nature means you can prep the bread the night before, saving precious time on busy holiday mornings. Third, the warm spice combination creates that nostalgic holiday flavor everyone craves.​

The recipe uses common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. No specialty items or complicated techniques required just mix, soak, and bake using your reliable oven. The brown sugar pecan topping adds textural contrast and a subtle caramel note that complements the spiced custard beautifully.​

Essential Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Bread cubes	4-5 cups	Base structure
Large eggs	5	Custard binding
Sugar	1½ cups	Sweetness
Milk	2 cups	Custard liquid
Vanilla extract	2 tsp	Flavor base
Cinnamon	1 tsp	Warm spice
Nutmeg	¾ tsp	Holiday aroma
Ground ginger	¾ tsp	Spicy warmth
Allspice	¼ tsp	Complex depth
Dark brown sugar	¼ cup	Topping
Pecans	½ cup chopped	Crunch
Butter	2 tbsp melted	Richness

The bread choice matters significantly for texture and flavor. Cranberry orange bread adds festive flair, but any crusty loaf works beautifully. French bread, challah, or brioche all create excellent results. Avoid pre-sliced sandwich bread as it becomes too mushy.​

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

To prepare this bread pudding perfectly, gather these essential tools. First, you’ll need a quality 9×13 baking pan that distributes heat evenly for consistent results. A set of mixing bowls helps keep your ingredients organized during prep.​

Use a sharp chef’s knife and sturdy cutting board to cube your bread into uniform pieces. Accurate measuring cups and spoons ensure your custard ratio is perfect every time. A whisk from your kitchen utensils set thoroughly combines the eggs and spices.​

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Bread

The night before you plan to bake, cube your bread into roughly 1-inch pieces using your chef’s knife and cutting board. Spread the cubes in a large shallow bowl or on a baking sheet and leave them uncovered overnight. This staling process is crucial it allows the bread to dry out slightly, creating the ideal texture for absorbing the custard without becoming soggy.​

If you’re short on time, you can toast fresh bread cubes in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. However, the overnight method produces superior texture and more even custard distribution.​

Making the Spiced Custard

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your 9×13 baking pan generously with butter. In a small mixing bowl, combine the sugar with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice using a whisk from your kitchen utensils. This pre-mixing ensures even spice distribution throughout the custard.​

In a medium mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs, then whisk in the spiced sugar mixture, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The custard should be homogeneous with no sugar clumps remaining. Place your stale bread cubes in a large bowl and pour the egg custard over them, stirring gently to ensure every piece gets coated. Let this mixture soak for exactly 10 minutes.​

Creating the Pecan Topping

While the bread soaks, prepare your pecan topping in a small mixing bowl. Combine the dark brown sugar, chopped pecans, and melted butter with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This streusel-like topping will caramelize during baking, creating a delightfully crunchy contrast to the soft custard beneath.​

Baking to Perfection

Pour the soaked bread mixture into your greased baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula from your kitchen utensils. Sprinkle the brown sugar pecan mixture evenly across the entire surface. Bake in your preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. The bread pudding is done when it’s no longer soupy but still has a slight quiver when gently shaken. A knife inserted near the center should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.​

Pro Tips for Success

Choose your bread wisely day-old crusty bread works best, but fresh bread toasted in the oven is an acceptable substitute. The bread-to-custard ratio determines final texture: use 4 cups of bread for a softer, more pudding-like consistency, or 5 cups for a firmer result.​

Don’t rush the soaking time. Those 10 minutes allow the bread to fully absorb the custard, preventing dry spots and ensuring uniform texture throughout. Toast your pecans lightly before adding them to the topping for extra flavor depth and crunch.​

Serve this bread pudding warm for the best experience. The contrast between warm pudding and cold vanilla ice cream creates an irresistible combination. Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.​

Variations to Try

Swap pecans for walnuts or omit nuts entirely for allergy-friendly versions. Add ½ cup dried cranberries and orange zest to regular bread for a festive fruit variation. For chocolate lovers, fold in ½ cup chocolate chips before baking.​

Try different spice combinations like pumpkin pie spice or cardamom for unique flavor profiles. Substitute half the milk with heavy cream for an ultra-rich version. Top with bourbon caramel sauce or rum cream sauce for adult gatherings.​

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this bread pudding ahead?
Yes, assemble it the night before (after the bread has staled), cover tightly, and refrigerate. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold from the fridge.​

What’s the best bread to use?
Crusty breads like French bread, challah, or brioche work excellently. Avoid soft sandwich bread which becomes too mushy. Day-old bread is ideal because it absorbs custard better.​

How do I know when it’s done?
The bread pudding should no longer be soupy but should still quiver slightly when gently shaken. A knife inserted near the center should come out mostly clean.​

Can I freeze bread pudding?
Yes, cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in your oven.​

How should I store leftovers?
Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in a 300°F oven.​

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Spice Bread Pudding exemplifies comfort food at its finest simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary through warming spices and perfect technique. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday feast or enjoying it as a weekend brunch treat, this recipe delivers consistent, impressive results. The combination of custardy interior, warm spice blend, and crunchy pecan topping creates a dessert that guests will request again and again.

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