Cozy Hot Cross Bun Bread Pudding Recipe with Easy Vanilla Custard
A comforting and indulgent bread pudding made from leftover hot cross buns soaked in a silky vanilla custard, perfect for cozy mornings or dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium-sized hot cross buns (day-old preferred)
- 2 cups whole milk (475 ml)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your baking dish with melted butter.
- Slice the hot cross buns into roughly 1-inch cubes and place them evenly in the greased baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth. Optionally strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve for extra silkiness.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bun cubes. Press down gently so the buns absorb the custard. Let sit for about 10 minutes to soak fully.
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp, and the custard is set but still creamy inside. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Let the bread pudding rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the custard to finish setting.
Notes
Use day-old buns for best soaking results. Let the pudding rest after baking for easier slicing and better texture. Adjust spices to taste or add nuts and honey for extra texture and flavor. For dairy-free, substitute milk and cream with almond or oat milk. For gluten-free, use gluten-free hot cross buns.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/8 of the dis
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 8
Keywords: hot cross bun bread pudding, vanilla custard, cozy dessert, leftover bread recipe, spiced bread pudding, easy bread pudding