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This vegan bread pudding is sweet and indulgent with a creamy, tender middle, studded with sweet raisins, and a golden top โ€“ an easy, comforting vegan dessert perfect for entertaining!

completed Vegan Bread Pudding in baking dish
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Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

Next time you need an idea to use up stale bread, skip stuffing (like this vegan stuffing) and croutons, and turn a childhood classic vegan with this easy vegan bread pudding recipe (aka vegan bread and butter pudding). Itโ€™s one of the easiest desserts to throw together with simple pantry and kitchen staples, and youโ€™d never guess itโ€™s egg and dairy-free.

In this eggless bread pudding, sturdy bread is soaked in a sweet, creamy, cinnamon-spiced โ€˜custardโ€™ sauce, studded with sweet raisins, then baked until soft and yummy inside with a golden, crisp top. Itโ€™s a cozy yet indulgent dessert thatโ€™s easy to customize with fruit, nuts, and add-ins to enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Looking for more simple, crowd-pleasing desserts? Try vegan apricot crisp, vegan apple crumble, or strawberry blueberry pie.

The Ingredients

Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

ingredients for Vegan Bread Pudding

What Is The Best Bread for Bread Pudding?

Itโ€™s best to use day-old bread with a sturdy texture and good crumb to soak up the liquid without becoming mushy. My favorites include:

  • Sourdough bread (robust texture and subtle tangy flavor to add depth)
  • French bread/baguette (has a firm, chewy crust, so holds up well)
  • Italian bread (similar to the above but with a denser crumb)

However, you could also use vegan challah/brioche (extra sweet and indulgent) or even vegan croissants (extra flaky, ‘buttery’ flavor)

Recipe Variations & Add-Ins

Here are just some ways to add flavor and texture to this endlessly customizable recipe for vegan bread pudding.

  • Vegan butter: Brush over the dairy-free bread pudding before and after baking for a lovely brown crust and rich ‘buttery’ flavor.
  • Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds depth to basic bread pudding.
  • Citrus zest: 1-2 teaspoons of lemon or orange zest add brightness.
  • Other dried fruits: I.e., currants, cranberries, cherries, apricots, etc.
  • Fruits: Add fresh fruits instead of or alongside raisins, Like:
    • Apple/pear (thinly sliced/finely chopped)
    • Berries (single or mixed โ€“ blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.)
    • Banana (thinly sliced + replace applesauce with mashed banana)
  • Nuts: Like walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts โ€“ for crunch and flavor.
  • Vegan chocolate: Bitter-sweet or semi-sweet dairy-free chocolate chips/chunks.
  • Vegan mini marshmallows: For sweet, gooey indulgence.
  • Coconut: Add several tbsps of unsweetened shredded coconut for flavor/texture.

Add up to ยพ cup in total of any chunky add-ins (fruit, nuts, vegan chocolate, โ€˜mallows).

How to Make Vegan Bread Pudding

process shot showing bread in baking dish
process shot showing mixing ingredients in bowl

Step 1: First, preheat the oven to 350F/175C and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Then, tear/chop the bread into even-sized chunks and add them to the dish.

Step 2: Meanwhile, combine the plant-based milk, applesauce, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and raisins in a medium bowl. Mix well until the sugar is mostly dissolved.

process shot showing pan of bread alongside milk mixture
process shot showing milk mixture added to baking dish

Step 3: Pour the mixture over the bread and lightly press with a spatula until the bread is fully covered. Set aside to soak until the oven is preheated.

Step 4: Bake the vegan bread pudding for 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean but slightly moist and the top is golden-brown. Finally, remove the baked bread pudding from the oven and leave it to cool and set for at least an hour, then serve and enjoy!

FAQs

Why use day-old bread for bread pudding?

Slightly stale bread absorbs the โ€˜custardโ€™ mixture better than fresh. If you only have fresh bread, I recommend drying it slightly, either by lightly toasting it or baking it at a low temperature in the oven.

Can I substitute the applesauce?

The applesauce works as an egg replacement (check out this vegan egg replacers guide) when making bread pudding without eggs, so it may be able to be replaced with mashed banana or blended silken tofu.

Can I make it ahead?

You could assemble this easy vegan bread pudding until the point of baking, then cover the dish and freeze it for up to 2 months. Then thaw it, bring it to room temp for 20 mins, and bake as normal.

Pro Recipe Tips

  • Use the right bread: Itโ€™s important to use day-old, sturdy bread like French bread, sourdough, etc., as theyโ€™ll soak up the โ€˜custardโ€™ without becoming mushy.
  • Use even-sized bread pieces: So they soak and bake evenly.
  • Adjust sweetness: To your desired level.
  • Be careful not to overbake: Otherwise, it can end up dry. If it looks a little dry mid-bake, cover the baking dish in foil.
  • To double the recipe: Use a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Leave it to rest: The no-egg bread pudding sets while it cools, making it easier to serve.
completed Vegan Bread Pudding on a plate

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy a portion of warm and comforting eggless bread pudding either alone or with:

Storage Instructions

Leave it to fully cool, then store leftover bread pudding tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Alternatively, freeze it for up to 3 months. Then, leave it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in a microwave or oven.

completed Vegan Bread Pudding in storage container

Vegan Bread Pudding

5 from 6 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Set Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6 -8
This vegan bread pudding is sweet and indulgent with a creamy, tender middle, studded with sweet raisins, and a golden top โ€“ an easy, comforting vegan dessert perfect for entertaining!

Ingredients 

  • 7 slices of sourdough, French, or Italian day-old bread, torn into small chunks
  • 2 cups of plant-based milk
  • ยพ cup of applesauce
  • โ…“ cup of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • ยฝ cup raisins

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Add the bread chunks to an 8-inch square baking pan.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the plant-based milk, apple sauce, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and raisins. Mix well until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  • Pour the mixture over the bread, and lightly push down with a spatula until all the bread is covered by the plant milk mixture. Allow it to sit soaking up the mixture until the oven is ready.
  • Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is slightly toasted.
  • Remove from the oven and allow it to cool down and set for 1 hour before enjoying.

Notes

  • Use the right bread: Itโ€™s important to use day-old, sturdy bread like French bread, sourdough, etc., as theyโ€™ll soak up the โ€˜custardโ€™ without becoming mushy.
  • Use even-sized bread pieces: So they soak and bake evenly.
  • Adjust sweetness: To your desired level.
  • Be careful not to overbake: Otherwise, it can end up dry. If it looks a little dry mid-bake, cover the baking dish in foil.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 9gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 562mgPotassium: 212mgFiber: 3gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 147mgIron: 3mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Toni Okamoto
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Method: Oven
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! ๐Ÿ™‚

About

Toni Okamoto

“They say you are what you eat, so I strive to be healthy.
My goal in life is not to be rich or wealthy,
‘Cause true wealth comes from good health and wise ways…
we got to start taking better care of ourselves ” – Dead Prez

More about Toni Okamoto
5 from 6 votes

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Experience dessert heaven with this Raspberry Bread Pudding recipe. The melding of warm, pillowy bread, tangy raspberries, and a hint of sweetness creates a sensational dish that’s both comforting and luxurious. A must-try recipe that will elevate your dessert game!

  2. 5 stars
    Bread pudding with raspberries sounds interesting. I’m sure nothing can go wrong with this recipe. Looks delicious.

  3. 5 stars
    Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts and this raspberry bread pudding was so delicious. We loved it!

  4. 5 stars
    Wow this is quite decadent and rich. My kids love the sweetness! We made a few swaps for sweeteners (maple) but it still turned out delicious