Homemade Bread Pudding with White Chocolate Glaze

If you’re craving a rich and indulgent dessert, this homemade bread pudding with white chocolate glaze is a dream come true. While it’s undeniably delicious, it’s not exactly for the calorie-conscious reader. Loaded with sugar and creamy goodness, this decadent treat is pure indulgence. But here’s the good news—a small serving is all you need to satisfy your sweet tooth and enjoy the irresistible flavors of this comforting dessert!

This bread pudding is the epitome of old-fashioned goodness and a classic Southern comfort food. Many of us grew up enjoying bread pudding made with leftover biscuits or stale bread, sometimes with a handful of raisins tossed in. It was always a favorite dessert at Sunday dinners, bringing warmth and nostalgia to the table.

How to Make Bread Pudding with White Chocolate Glaze

Prepare a large oven-proof baking dish by greasing it or spraying it with cooking spray. I used a large rectangular Pyrex dish (size unknown, but it was big enough to hold all the bread and custard).

Tear the French bread into bite-sized pieces and place them evenly in the dish. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Stir everything well to create the custard base.

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, making sure each piece is well-saturated. Let it sit for a minute or two to absorb the liquid. If the bread still looks dry on top, add a little extra cream to ensure it’s fully soaked. Melt the butter and drizzle it over the top of the bread.

Bake at 350°F until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean—or mostly clean. I like my bread pudding with a nicely browned top, so keep an eye on it after about 25 minutes if you want it golden brown. Once done, remove it from the oven and set aside.

To prepare the white chocolate glaze, combine white chocolate chips (or morsels) with 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and ½ teaspoon of vanilla in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chips are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.

Pour the glaze over the warm bread pudding. If the glaze pools on top, use a spoon or the handle of a wooden spoon to poke small holes in the bread pudding, allowing the glaze to seep down into the layers for even more flavor.

This bread pudding with white chocolate glaze is rich, indulgent, and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!

Quick and Easy Bread Pudding with White Chocolate Glaze – A Decadent Treat!

Watch the video!

Vanilla Extract versus Vanilla Flavoring

When I was preparing to make bread pudding with white chocolate glaze, I realized I needed more vanilla. I grabbed Watkins vanilla at the store, thinking, Great, I love pure vanilla. I always thought the difference between pure vanilla and vanilla flavoring was that pure vanilla was stronger and better. But today, I learned my Watkins was actually vanilla flavoring, not pure vanilla. My fault of course for not paying close enough attention to the packaging.

• Pure Vanilla Extract is made from real vanilla beans, alcohol, and water, with no artificial additives.
• Vanilla Flavoring is often made with synthetic chemicals (propylene glycol) to mimic the flavor of vanilla.
• Pure Vanilla Extract is more expensive due to the cost of growing and harvesting vanilla beans.
• Vanilla Flavoring is much cheaper since it’s made from synthetic ingredients.

Propylene glycol is commonly used as a moisturizer in lotions and cosmetics, a base in e-cigarettes, and even as an ingredient in antifreeze—and that’s just the start! Once I finish this bottle of vanilla flavoring, it’ll be my last. From now on, I’m sticking with the pure stuff.

Did You Know You Can Make Your Own Vanilla Extract?

Making your own vanilla extract is apparently easier than you think! All you need are vanilla beans (you can order them on Amazon) and a bottle of vodka. Slice the beans, drop them into the vodka, and let it sit for a few months to develop its rich flavor. Here’s my Amazon affiliate link for Vanilla Beans.

(An affiliate link is a tracked link that earns a commission when someone makes a purchase through it, at no extra cost to the buyer.)

I’m excited to try this homemade vanilla exytract myself—maybe even find some cute bottles to use. It would make fantastic gifts, too… if I can wait long enough for the flavors to fully meld!

Door-to-Door Salesmen

Watkins is a classic brand that brings back fond memories for me. I remember when the “Watkins man” would visit our house, likely selling my mother various items, including vanilla. Living out in the country, we also had visits from the Standard Coffee man and the peddler or rolling store. Watkins will always remind me of those warm, simple moments of my childhood.

Treat Yourself in Moderation

This bread pudding with white chocolate glaze is undeniably indulgent—a true treat for special occasions. While it’s perfectly fine to enjoy something this rich every now and then, balance is key. You can always make it a bit less sugar-loaded by reducing the sugar in the recipe, skipping the glaze, or cutting it way back. That said, I think there’s something magical about savoring the recipe as it was meant to be—decadent and delicious. The trick? Serve yourself a small portion, savor each bite, and let it be a moment of pure bliss. After all, life’s too short not to enjoy a little indulgence now and then!