Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

There are certain recipes that feel like a warm blanket around your shoulders, and Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding is absolutely one of them. For me, this dessert is tied to slow Sunday mornings, when the house still smells faintly of coffee and everyone is moving a little more gently than usual. It’s the kind of dish that doesn’t just feed your family—it fills the kitchen with comfort, memories, and the promise of something sweet waiting at the table.

I still remember the first time I made this recipe on a chilly afternoon with a loaf of leftover cinnamon raisin bread that was just starting to go stale. I didn’t want to waste it, so I turned to bread pudding—a simple, old-fashioned solution that has saved countless loaves over generations. What came out of the oven was nothing short of magical: custardy on the inside, lightly crisp on top, and scented with cinnamon, vanilla, and warm spices.

Since then, this easy cinnamon raisin bread pudding has become my go-to whenever I need a cozy dessert for dinner, a comforting breakfast-for-dinner treat, or something special for holidays and family gatherings. It’s the recipe I reach for when I want to slow things down, gather everyone around the table, and serve something that feels like home.

Whether you’re making it as a quick side dish for brunch, a simple dessert for dinner, or a comforting addition to your holiday table, this baked bread pudding is guaranteed to bring smiles—and requests for seconds.

Why You’ll Love It

• It uses simple pantry ingredients You don’t need anything fancy—just bread, milk, eggs, sugar, and spices you probably already have on hand. It’s a wonderful way to use up leftover cinnamon raisin bread.
• It’s incredibly easy to prepare This is a truly easy cinnamon raisin bread pudding that comes together in minutes. Just mix, pour, bake, and let the oven do the work.
• Perfectly soft and custardy inside Every bite is tender and creamy in the center with a lightly golden top. It’s the ultimate comfort texture.
• Naturally sweet and warmly spiced The cinnamon raisin bread adds built-in flavor, making every spoonful fragrant and cozy.
• Great for holidays and family gatherings This recipe feeds a crowd and fits beautifully on a holiday dessert table.
• Delicious for breakfast or dessert Serve it with coffee in the morning or vanilla ice cream after dinner—it’s perfect either way.

Ingredient Notes & Details

• Cinnamon raisin bread Day-old or slightly stale bread works best because it soaks up the custard beautifully. Fresh bread can be used, but stale gives better structure.
• Milk Whole milk creates the creamiest texture, but 2% or a dairy-free alternative can also be used.
• Heavy cream Adds richness and a velvety mouthfeel. You can substitute with more milk if needed.
• Eggs These set the custard and give the bread pudding its signature creamy center.
• Brown sugar Provides warmth, moisture, and a caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with cinnamon.
• Granulated sugar Balances the brown sugar and keeps the pudding light.
• Ground cinnamon Enhances the flavor already in the bread and deepens that warm spice profile.
• Vanilla extract Rounds out the sweetness and adds depth.
• Salt A pinch is all you need to balance the sugars and highlight the spices.
• Butter Used to grease the pan and dot the top for a golden, rich finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven and prepare the pan Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a baking dish generously to prevent sticking and add flavor.
2. Cube the bread Cut the cinnamon raisin bread into bite-sized cubes and spread them evenly in the prepared dish.
3. Mix the custard In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
4. Pour over the bread Slowly pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, making sure every piece is moistened.
5. Let it soak Allow the bread to sit for 10–15 minutes so it can absorb the custard fully.
6. Add butter and bake Dot the top with small pieces of butter and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set but still soft.
7. Cool slightly before serving Let the bread pudding rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the custard to finish setting.

FAQ for Common Questions

• Can I make cinnamon raisin bread pudding ahead of time? Yes. Assemble it the night before, cover, refrigerate, and bake the next day.
• What’s the best bread for bread pudding? Cinnamon raisin bread is ideal because it already has built-in flavor and sweetness.
• Can I make this recipe dairy-free? Yes. Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk and replace cream with more milk.
• Why is my bread pudding dry? Too much bread or not enough custard can cause dryness. Make sure the bread is well soaked.
• Is this recipe freezer-friendly? Yes. Freeze baked portions for up to 2 months.
• Can I serve bread pudding cold? You can, but it’s best warm for maximum flavor and texture.

Storage Tips

• Refrigeration Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezing Freeze in individual portions for easy reheating and longer storage.
• Reheating Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) or microwave until heated through.

Variations

• Apple Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding Add diced apples for extra texture and fruitiness.
• Maple Bread Pudding Replace some sugar with maple syrup for deeper sweetness.
• Nutty Bread Pudding Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
• Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding Add pumpkin purée and pumpkin spice for fall flavor.
• Low Sugar Bread Pudding Reduce the sugar slightly for a lighter dessert.
• Vanilla Glaze Topped Bread Pudding Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for bakery-style sweetness.

What to Serve with Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

• Fresh + Light Sides Fresh berries, citrus slices, or fruit salad.
• Comfort Food Pairings Coffee, hot chocolate, or spiced tea.
• Holiday Table Classics Pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or sugar cookies.
• Protein Options Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or breakfast sausage.
• Starches + Breads Buttermilk biscuits, croissants, or toast.

This Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding is a warm, cozy dessert made with soft cubes of cinnamon-swirled bread soaked in a rich vanilla custard, baked until golden, and bursting with sweet raisins and comforting spice—perfect for chilly nights, holiday gatherings, or anytime you crave old-fashioned comfort in every bite.