Mixed Berry Brioche Bread Pudding
🛒 Ingredients
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6-8 cups Brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (stale bread works best!) 🍞
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2 cups Mixed berries (Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries) 🫐
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4 large Eggs 🥚
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2 cups Whole milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
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1/2 cup Granulated sugar
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1 tsp Vanilla extract
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1/4 tsp Salt
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Optional: White chocolate chips or a drizzle of condensed milk (as seen in the image) 🥛
🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prep the Dish ➡️ Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
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Arrange the Bread ➡️ Spread the brioche cubes evenly into the prepared dish. 🍞➡️🥘
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Add the Berries ➡️ Scatter 1.5 cups of the mixed berries over and between the bread cubes. Save the remaining 0.5 cup for the very top. 🍓
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Whisk the Custard ➡️ In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until completely smooth. 🥣
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The Soak ➡️ Pour the custard mixture slowly over the bread, ensuring every piece of brioche is coated. ➡️ Use a spatula to gently press the bread down so it absorbs the liquid. 🥛
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Rest Time ➡️ Let the dish sit for at least 20–30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight). This prevents the pudding from being dry in the center. 🕒
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Preheat & Top ➡️ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scatter the remaining berries and optional white chocolate on top.
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Bake ➡️ Bake for 40–50 minutes. The pudding is done when the custard is set (no longer wobbly) and the top is golden brown and slightly crisp. 🥧🔥
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Cool Slightly ➡️ Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the custard to firm up.
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Final Touch ➡️ Drizzle with a little extra cream, condensed milk, or maple syrup if desired. 🍯
❓ Common Questions (Q&A)
Q: Can I use frozen berries? A: Yes! Do not thaw them first, as the juice will bleed and turn the bread purple. Just toss them in straight from the freezer. ❄️🍓
Q: What if I don’t have Brioche? A: Challah, Croissants, or even thick-cut Texas Toast are great substitutes. Avoid standard sandwich bread as it can become too mushy. 🍞
Q: Can I make this dairy-free? A: Certainly! Use full-fat coconut milk or oat milk for the best texture. 🥥🥛
Q: Is it okay to make this the night before? A: Yes, it’s actually better! Assembling it at night and baking it in the morning results in a much richer, more custardy texture. 🌙➡️☀️
✨ Pro-Tips for Success
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Stale is Better: If your bread is fresh, toast the cubes in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to dry them out. Dry bread acts like a sponge for the custard! 🧽
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Golden Top: If the top is browning too fast but the center is still wet, cover the dish loosely with foil for the last 15 minutes of baking. 🛡️