What’s Cooking: Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding with Punch de Creme custard baked in a water bath (Photo by Cynthia Nelson)

Hi Everyone,

What’s Cooking is a series in which I answer questions and share advice about food and cooking that you may have but are too shy to ask.

Question: “I often find bread pudding to be dry; Is that why it’s always served with a sauce?”

Bread pudding when done properly should be dense yet tender, pudding-like without being dry. A good bread pudding should be able to be eaten on its own without accompaniments such as a sauce or liqueur. Dry bread pudding arises from three issues – an insufficient quantity of custard to soak the bread, an inadequate amount time for the bread to absorb the custard and overcooking the pudding. It is important to add here that letting the bread pudding rest when it comes out of the oven is key to its final texture. And, bread pudding is best served warm or at room temperature, not hot, especially when reheated in a microwave oven. Let’s unpack.