This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.
Hi Bold Bakers!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: This Butter and Jam Bread Pudding Recipe is a baked custardy dessert full of the comforting flavors of buttery brioche and strawberry jam. Everyone from toddlers to grannies will adore this sweet and simple treat. Putting this cozy dish together couldn’t be easier—if you can make a jam sandwich, you’re halfway to tucking into a bowl of creamy bread pudding. Prep it ahead, let it come together in the fridge, and then pop it in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy it.
I have fond memories of my Mum preparing heartwarming, delectably fragrant foods like this in Ireland, and they always seemed to be the perfect remedy for gloomy days and cold nights. Even now, I still adore hugs in a bowl from recipes like this one, which can transport me instantly back home! As we get into the autumn months, you’ll love serving this homey and scrumptious dessert. A dish of Butter and Jam Bread Pudding will warm you right up!
Table of Contents
- What is Butter and Jam Bread Pudding?
- Tools You Need to Make Butter and Jam Bread Pudding
- Key Ingredients and Why
- How to Make Butter and Jam Bread Pudding
- Can I Make Butter and Jam Bread Pudding in Advance?
- How to Store Butter and Jam Bread Pudding
- FAQs
- Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- More Bread Pudding Recipes
What is Butter and Jam Bread Pudding?
- Butter and Jam Bread Pudding is a dessert or breakfast dish made by soaking bread, butter, and jam base in vanilla custard. It’s baked until everything is moist and pillowy-soft in the middle, and golden brown and nicely crusty on top.
- You can use various types of bread, such as brioche as I use here, white sandwich bread, baguettes, ciabatta, or challah bread. Use stale bread or toasted bread to whip up a warm and comforting dish that’s welcome in Ireland’s often blustery weather!
- Other types of bread pudding include Italian strata, Indian double ka meetha, and Mexican capirotada.
Tools You Need to Make Butter and Jam Bread Pudding
Key Ingredients and Why
-
Brioche Loaf
- Slices of golden brioche bread are the foundation of this bread pudding.
- Brioche is an eggy bread with a luxurious spongy texture and a lightly sweet flavor. It’s called an enriched dough because it contains a higher level of fat, which comes from the butter and egg. Enriched dough breads are known for their tender crumb and deep flavor.
- If your bread is still too moist and fresh, place slices in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes before starting this recipe.
-
Butter
- Butter is spread on the bread in this recipe. It enriches the pudding’s texture and flavor.
- Butter also helps crisp the pudding during baking.
- How to Make Homemade Butter has easy directions for whipping up a fresh and flavorful batch in your kitchen!
-
Strawberry Jam
- The sweet, bright, ripe flavor of strawberry jam is central to this pudding. Its bright, fruity taste is the ideal complement to the richness of the other ingredients.
- Make your own strawberry jam for a wonderful fresh taste and the satisfaction of knowing you did it from scratch!
- You could also use raspberry jam or orange marmalade.
-
Eggs
- Eggs in the custard bind the pudding together and give it a rich flavor and a golden color.
- For best results, use room-temperature eggs. My guide for How to Get Room Temperature Eggs will help you if you forget to take them out of the fridge.
-
Sugar
- Sugar sweetens the custard, and it also aids in the caramelization of the top, giving the pudding an extra nutty, rich flavor note.
-
Milk
- While milk gives the custard in this bread pudding a richer, velvety texture.
- Whole milk contains a higher percentage of milk fat than reduced-fat milk or non-fat milk and gives a creamier result.
-
Vanilla
- The warm and sweet taste of vanilla complements the buttery, fruity flavors, and gives the pudding a lovely aroma while cooking.
- Learn how to make Homemade Vanilla Extract and you’ll never go back to buying it!
How to Make Butter and Jam Bread Pudding
- Make the bread and jam layer: Assemble the brioche, butter, and strawberry jam into six sandwiches. Layer them into a buttered baking dish.
- Make the custard mixture: Stir the eggs, sugar, milk, and vanilla together Pour over the sandwiches.
- Let the mixture rest: Soak the pudding in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the pudding: Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 50 to 60 minutes until puffy and golden.
Can I Make Butter and Jam Bread Pudding in Advance?
Yes, this recipe is great to make in advance!
- Assemble the bread pudding, then cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, and up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready, uncover and bake as directed.
How to Store Butter and Jam Bread Pudding
Store Butter and jam Bread Pudding leftovers in the fridge for up to two days.
FAQs
-
Can I make this recipe egg-free?
No, I don’t recommend using egg substitutes in this Bread pudding recipe.
-
Can I use dairy-free milk in this recipe?
- Yes, just make sure you pick an unsweetened type. Oat or almond would work here.
- See my Guide to The Best Dairy-Free Milk Options for Baking for more details.
-
How do I keep my pudding from being soggy?
- Bread that’s too fresh or moist can become mushy. If your bread isn’t stale, dry it out in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes before assembling the sandwiches.
- Follow the instructions carefully so that you have the correct ratio of bread to custard.
-
How do I make sure my bread pudding isn’t dry?
- Make sure the pudding soaks for at least 30 minutes before cooking so that the custard permeates the bread.
- If your pudding is getting too browned, tent it with foil.
- Be sure not to over-bake! The pudding shouldn’t be completely set in the middle. It will continue to set as it cools.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- You can use different types of bread for this recipe, like a baguette, whole wheat bread, or sourdough. Or try my Best-Ever Banana Bread in my Banana Bread Pudding, you’ll be grand!
- As the pudding cools it sets, so factor that in when you are taking it from the oven.
- If you like your desserts boozy, you can whisk in 1/4 cup dark rum into the custard before you pour it over the bread.
- Sprinkle top with confectioners’ sugar if you wish. Serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or strawberry ice cream.
More Bread Pudding Recipes
Butter and Jam Bread Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (2 oz/57 g) butter, softened
- ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) strawberry jam
- 12 thin slices brioche (cut ½-inch thick)
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- ¼ cup (2 oz/57 g) granulated sugar
- 2 ½ cups (20 fl oz/600 ml) whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Butter a baking dish, about 9 x 13-inches.
- Spread butter and jam on the bread and sandwich the bread together to make 6 sandwiches.
- Cut the sandwiches diagonally across and layer in the buttered dish.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla and whisk to combine.
- Pour the custard evenly over the slices and let soak for at least 30 minutes.
- While the bread is soaking, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the pudding has risen and is golden in color.
- Serve immediately, topped with vanilla ice cream. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
This was a very pleasant bread pudding! Sweet enough to be a dessert with some ice cream, but not too sweet to be breakfast. Love the easy assembly with any kind of bread and jelly I have on hand. I used a soft sliced sourdough that I dried in the oven. Will definitely make again with different variations.
Pudding is my favourite desert ever thanks for share it with us????