The Ultimate Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding: A Deliciously Easy Recipe for Any Time

Prepare to fall in love with a truly exceptional treat: Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding. Whether you consider it a hearty breakfast, a delightful brunch centerpiece, or a decadent dessert, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. It’s a delightful blend of comforting flavors and textures, surprisingly simple to create, and utterly beyond delicious. Forget your preconceived notions of bread pudding; this version is in a league of its own, transforming humble cinnamon raisin bread into something truly extraordinary.

Getting Started: Preparing Your Baking Pans

Before you dive into assembling the delicious layers, a little prep work for your baking pans goes a long way. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the perfect temperature when your bread pudding is ready to bake, leading to even cooking and that desirable golden crust.

For best results, you’ll need two 8-inch round cake pans. Generously butter each pan – don’t be shy! This butter layer not only prevents sticking but also adds a subtle richness to the crust. Next, line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper. This is a crucial step for easy removal later. After placing the parchment, give the paper itself another light coating of butter. This double-buttering technique guarantees your beautiful bread pudding will slide out effortlessly.

Pro Tip: When cutting your parchment paper to fit, always cut slightly *inside* your traced line. This ensures no pencil markings transfer to your food. If you’re a frequent baker, consider keeping a stash of precut parchment paper rounds in your pantry for ultimate convenience. They’re a true time-saver!

Crafting the Flavorful Bread Sandwiches

The foundation of this incredible bread pudding starts with good quality cinnamon-raisin bread. You’ll need 24 slices (typically two 12- to 16-ounce packages). To create delightful layers of flavor and moisture, we’re going to transform these slices into mini sandwiches.

Take 12 of your bread slices and spread each one with approximately one teaspoon of softened unsalted butter. The butter adds richness and helps create a lovely golden crust during baking. For the remaining 12 slices, spread two teaspoons of fragrant orange marmalade on each. The marmalade introduces a bright, zesty citrus note that beautifully complements the cinnamon and raisins, elevating the overall taste profile.

Now, pair a buttered slice with a marmalade-spread slice, ensuring the buttered and marmalade-covered sides face each other. This creates a sweet, buttery interior for each bread “sandwich.” Once assembled, carefully trim off the crusts. While optional, removing the crusts results in a more uniformly soft and tender bread pudding texture, which is often preferred for a refined dessert. Finally, cut each sandwich diagonally into quarters. These triangular pieces will be arranged artfully in your prepared pans, maximizing surface area for soaking up the luscious custard.

Arranging for Perfection: Layers of Delight

With your bread sandwiches prepped and cut, it’s time to arrange them in your buttered and parchment-lined 8-inch round cake pans. Carefully place the diagonal bread quarters into the pans, stacking and overlapping as needed to create a snug, even layer. You want the bread to fill the pans without being overly compressed, allowing space for the custard to permeate every piece.

Once the bread is arranged, it’s time for another layer of classic flavor. In a small bowl, combine a quarter cup of plump raisins, a quarter cup of packed brown sugar, and half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. This mixture will add pockets of concentrated sweetness and spice throughout the pudding. Sprinkle this delightful blend evenly over the arranged bread in both pans. This step ensures that every bite of your Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding is bursting with warm, aromatic notes and juicy raisins.

The Irresistible Custard: Where the Magic Happens

Now, it’s truly time to create the “magic” that will transform your prepared bread into heavenly Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding. The secret lies in a rich, luscious custard base that infuses every piece of bread with unparalleled moisture and flavor. This incredible custard consists of three simple yet powerful ingredients: heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh large eggs.

Okay, I admit it—when I first saw these ingredients, my initial thought was, “This isn’t exactly diet-friendly!” And you’d be right. This bread pudding is definitely a treat for special occasions or when you simply crave ultimate comfort. But sometimes, a little indulgence is perfectly fine, right? The combination of these ingredients creates a custard that’s wonderfully sweet, unbelievably creamy, and robust enough to hold up through baking, providing that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes bread pudding so beloved.

In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, the entire can of sweetened condensed milk, and two large eggs until thoroughly combined and smooth. Ensure there are no streaks of egg white remaining. This ensures a uniform custard that will soak into every nook and cranny of your bread.

Once your custard mixture is ready, pour it evenly over the arranged bread in both prepared pans. Don’t worry if it looks like a lot of liquid – the bread will absorb it beautifully. Gently press the bread down with the back of a spoon or your hand to encourage it to fully soak up the creamy mixture. This step is key to achieving a moist, tender bread pudding that isn’t dry or crumbly. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to ensure maximum absorption before it goes into the oven. The more the bread soaks, the more flavorful and tender your final pudding will be.

Baking to Golden Perfection and Glazing

Now that your bread is perfectly soaked in that decadent custard, it’s time to bake your bread pudding. Place the pans in your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes. The baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. This clean knife test indicates that the custard has set properly, ensuring a firm yet tender pudding.

Once baked, remove the bread puddings from the oven and let them cool in their pans on a wire rack for about 20 minutes. This cooling period allows the pudding to firm up slightly, making it easier to handle and preventing it from falling apart when you invert it. While the bread pudding cools, prepare your warm marmalade glaze. In a small saucepan, gently warm the remaining orange marmalade over low heat. Stir occasionally until it’s smooth and easily spreadable. This warm glaze will provide a beautiful sheen and an extra burst of citrusy sweetness to your finished dish.

Assembling Your Masterpiece: Stacking the Layers

Once cooled, it’s time for the grand reveal and final assembly. First, gently loosen the sides of the bread pudding from the pans using a thin knife or spatula. This helps ensure a clean release. Carefully invert one pan onto your serving platter. Give the pan a gentle shake to help loosen the bottom, then lift it away. You’ll be left with a beautifully round, golden bread pudding. Remove the parchment paper from the bottom.

Now, take half of your warm marmalade glaze and generously spread it over the top of this first layer. This adds an extra layer of sweetness, moisture, and that delightful citrus tang. For the second layer, invert the second pan onto a baking sheet or wire rack. Then, carefully invert it again onto a rimless baking sheet so that the top of the bread pudding is facing upwards. This double inversion helps you maintain its perfect shape. Gently slide this second layer on top of the first one on your serving platter, creating an impressive two-tiered bread pudding. Finish by spreading the remaining warm marmalade over the top of the entire creation.

Serving Suggestions & Enjoying Your Creation

This Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding is truly a culinary delight, and it’s best enjoyed while still a bit warm, ideally within two hours of baking. The warmth enhances the comforting spices and the soft, custardy texture. Each bite will remind you of a gourmet cinnamon bun, but with a richer, more complex flavor profile and an unbelievably moist consistency. The orange marmalade not only adds a beautiful glaze but also provides a delightful citrusy counterpoint to the sweetness.

To truly take this incredible treat over the top, consider these optional garnishes. A generous dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a cool, airy contrast to the warm pudding. For a touch of elegance and a burst of fresh flavor, add a few slices of vibrant blood orange. And for a unique, sophisticated hint that balances the sweetness beautifully, a small sprig of fresh rosemary is an unexpected, yet perfect, addition.

Whether you’re serving it for a festive brunch or as a comforting dessert after a meal, this bread pudding is sure to be a showstopper. And don’t worry if you have leftovers; it’s still pretty darn good when reheated gently the next day. So go ahead, indulge yourself and your loved ones in this irresistible creation, and you’ll find yourself pondering that age-old question:

Is this Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding a breakfast treat or a dessert?

My guess is you won’t care – you’ll just want another slice!

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