19 Delicious Reasons to Make Bread Pudding With That Day-Old Bread In Your Pantry

By Mary Shannon Wells
Updated September 25, 2019
Credit: Alison Miksch

Southern cooks have always been resourceful with their leftovers (when there are leftovers around, that is). There’s always a jar of bacon grease in Mama’s fridge, and there are countless ways to get creative with that Thanksgiving turkey the day after. You could easily make homemade croutons with that day-old bread you don’t want to go bad, but Southern chefs’ favorite way to repurpose it is with a bread pudding recipe. With bread pudding recipes, there are endless possibilities. You can go the sweet route or opt for savory; you can use a country loaf or Challah. Bread pudding welcomes creativity.

Of course, all bread puddings start with some sort of bread, whether slightly stale French baguette or even Krispy Kreme doughnuts (we really did that), and are usually filled with some sort of custard and topped with a sweet sauce. Because we never stop coming up with fun twists on Southern classics, we have plenty of amazing takes on old-school bread pudding. If you love fall baking, try our Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings or Spiced Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding to fill your house with the delectable smells of autumn. If you want to try out a breakfast bread pudding recipe, the kids will love our Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding and your girls’ brunch group will be begging for our Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding recipe. Say goodbye to drab breakfasts for good, and never let another good loaf of bread go stale! These are the best bread pudding recipes to keep on hand, whether you want to enjoy them at dessert, breakfast, or with a savory twist. 

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Hot Buttered Rum Bread Pudding

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Hot Buttered Rum Bread Pudding

Raisins and rum are an age-old combination that can turn a day-old loaf of bread into a stunning, weekend-worthy casserole.

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Peach Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Peach Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel

We put a summery spin on comforting bread pudding and filled it with fresh peaches.

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Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding

We love this savory bread pudding because it tastes amazing, and the fact that it can be made with the ease of your slow cooker makes it even more of a winner.

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Praline Bread Pudding

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Praline Bread Pudding

Two Southern favorites, pralines and bread pudding, meet in this recipe that’s to-die-for delicious.

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Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Credit: Jim Franco

Recipe: Caramel-Pecan-Pumpkin Bread Puddings

Whether you make it in individual ramekins or your favorite 13x9 dish, this fall bread pudding recipe was made for a crowd.

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Challah Bread Pudding

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Challah Bread Pudding

Challah’s buttery flavor makes the ideal base for an incredible bread pudding recipe.

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Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding

This decadent make-ahead brunch recipe is the perfect dish for the kids to wake up to on Christmas morning.

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Berry Bread Pudding

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Berry Bread Pudding

This simple bread pudding recipe is topped with a raspberry sauce that’s made with frozen raspberries, so you aren’t limited to making it just in the summer.

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Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Bourbon Butter Sauce

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Butter Bourbon Sauce

All we can say about this recipe is “wow.” We don’t know any Southerners who don’t love Krispy Kreme, and this recipe is going to make you appreciate it even more.

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Spiced Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spiced Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding

If you love fall baking, this incredible bread pudding recipe should be on your list to try this season.

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Café Brûlot Bread Pudding

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Café Brûlot Bread Pudding

Coffee lovers, we’ve found your new favorite dessert (or afternoon treat with your cup of joe).

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Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding

We know that Southerners love their sweet potato casseroles topped with marshmallows and cornflakes, but we’re making the case for serving this savory bread pudding at Thanksgiving this year.

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Apple Bread Pudding

Credit: Helen Norman

Recipe: Apple Bread Pudding

This bread pudding recipe is one of the most delicious ways to use up those fresh apples from your fall orchard visit.

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Kentucky Derby Pie Bread Pudding

Credit: Datz Restaurant Group

Recipe: Kentucky Derby Pie Bread Pudding

Hosting a derby party? This warm, boozy dessert is a blue-ribbon finale for it.

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Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

New Orleans chef Leah Chase put a Creole twist on bread pudding and topped it with a boozy sauce your holiday guests will love.

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Marian’s Savory Vegetable Bread Pudding

Credit: Photo: Tina Cornett

Recipe: Marian’s Savory Vegetable Bread Pudding

Whether served at brunch or dinner, there’s never a wrong time to enjoy this rich casserole.

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When Life Gives You Leftover Bread, Make Bread Pudding!

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Cornbread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Cornbread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel

We took Southern-favorite cornbread and made it the base for this boozy bread pudding.

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Holiday Gingerbread Pudding

Credit: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Holiday Gingerbread Pudding

This holiday-ready bread pudding recipe comes together with the hands-off magic of your slow cooker, which frees up valuable oven space for the Christmas ham.

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Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce

This autumn dessert recipe, which uses our Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread as a base, is going to make your house smell incredible.

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By Mary Shannon Wells