Last Updated on December 14, 2022 by Kimberly Stroh

 Christmas is all about traditions in my family and I’m always looking to pass down traditions to my own family. I remember my Grandmother always made this Easy Christmas Bread Pudding recipe. It’s one of my favorite holiday dessert options because it’s easy, can be made ahead of time and cheap to make. Plus, It’s a great alternative to more traditional Christmas desserts – like cakes or cookies. The inside has a warm custard raisin filling, with an outer crust layer that’s topped with a rich brandy sauce. You can’t go wrong!

Bread puddings are an old-fashioned dessert and they came around as a way to use leftover bread. Essentially, you’re making a custard that forms around the bread as it bakes. When it’s baked, it’s a soft filling that’s full of sweet flavor. This recipe, with the brandy sauce topping, takes it to the next level.

My Grandmother loved making this recipe for Christmas. She served it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The sauce acts as a topping for the ice cream too and she was known for doubling the sauce, to have some extra on hand.

Many people think of bread puddings as a traditional English dessert, but they’re quite popular in the U.S. as well. I make this Christmas Bread Pudding recipe every year and it’s such a delicious treat. I love that I don’t have to roll out cookies or carefully frosting a cake. It’s just throwing it together, popping it in the oven and putting the sauce together.

Looking for even more great Christmas desserts? Our family has a taste for sweets! Here are some of my favorites:

• Chocolate Kahlua Cake
• Yule Log Cake
• No-Bake Eggnog Pie
• World’s Best Fruit Cake

Christmas Bread Pudding Recipe (Raisins + Brandy Sauce)

You don’t need anything fancy to make a bread pudding! You probably have everything you need already in your kitchen. You’ll need a 2-quart baking dish, mixing bowl and small sauce pan. The simplicity of making a bread pudding is part of the joy. Anyone can put together a fabulous bread pudding without much effort.

Best Occasions To Serve Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is heavier dessert, which makes it a decadent choice. I like to serve it during the winter months. Obviously, it’s fantastic for the holidays. I’ve even made it as a Thanksgiving dessert. I just opt to stop making it after the winter months, because it’s not fitting for spring.

How To Store Leftover Christmas Bread Pudding

You can transfer the bread pudding to an airtight food storage container and keep it in the refrigerator. The sauce will not separate. Enjoy the bread pudding for 3-4 days while in the fridge and reheat it for a minute in the microwave before enjoying again. Freeze or toss after the 4 days have passed.

Can You Freeze Bread Pudding?

Yes! You can freeze your Christmas Bread Pudding for up to 3 months. Be sure to keep it in a nice freezer-friendly storage container. Let it thaw in the refrigerator for 12 hours until reheating again. Sometimes I like to make a fresh sauce to add back on top if I freeze it.

Tips For A Great Brandy Sauce Topping

While not overwhelming, the most difficult part of the dessert is making the brandy sauce. The key to putting it together is constantly stirring it. It will easily burn. Do not leave your sauce unattended. Keep stirring the sauce as you add the ingredients and you’ll end up with a perfect thick brandy sauce topping.

Recipe Variations & Substitutes To Try

There are a few variations you can try when making your bread pudding! Try a different bread, like Challah, and you can switch out the raisins for golden raisins or dried apricots. Any dried fruit would work – like cranberries for Christmas! If you want to avoid dairy, you can use a dairy-free milk option and the results will still be delicious.

Does It Matter What Type Of Brandy You Use?

Absolutely not! The alcohol in the Brandy will be baked off and you’re just left with the flavor. I like to use Christian Brothers Brandy – which is a more budget-friendly brand. If you have a nicer brandy to use, that’s top-shelf, feel free. Either way, you’ll end up with a great Christmas Bread Pudding.

What You’ll Need:

• Brioche Bread
• Milk
• Eggs
• Granulated Sugar
• Raisins
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Unsalted Butter
• Flour
• Brandy

How To Make Christmas Bread Pudding With Brandy Sauce

Preheat the oven to 325º. Break apart your brioche bread into chunky piece and add them into a 2 quart baking dish.

In a medium bowl, mix together your milk, eggs, sugar, salt, raisins, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Pour over the brioche bread.

Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for another 30 minutes.

Making The Brandy Sauce Topping:

Melt the butter over medium heat in a non-stick skillet. Once melted, add the flour to create a smooth paste. Cook for one minute, constantly stirring, so the sauce doesn’t burn.

Using a hand whisk, slowly add the milk, stirring vigorously. Continue whisking until a thick smooth sauce is formed this will take 3 to 5 minutes. Take care not to have the heat too high or the base of the sauce may burn.

Once the sauce is formed, add the sugar and whisk a little more, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Lower the heat and gently cook for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time. Add the brandy.

Keep whisking until smooth and combined. Pour the warm sauce over the bread pudding when it’s fresh out of the oven. You can reserve some extra sauce if you’d like to offer guests to pour their own brandy sauce.