There are many recipes for bread pudding out there that (as with every dish ever made) range from really simple and to really elaborate. However, bread pudding is one of those classic dishes that is just seriously good stuff even in it’s most simple form. It’s certainly a popular and versatile dish and in my little opinion, a good custard-y bread pudding is the quintessential comfort food dessert.
I was completely new to bread pudding as recently as two years ago (shocking I know, but I grew up in a rice pudding family, okay?!) and truthfully, I was inspired to try it for the first time by watching competitive cooking shows. I’ve enjoyed watching Chopped on Food Network, as well as other similar-style shows, for years and if you’ve ever watched any competitive cooking show you’ll know that bread pudding is regularly served up by someone in the dessert round.
So, based on the sheer multitude of times I watched some hopeful participant offer up a form of bread pudding in the heat of competition, I finally decided I had to see for myself what all the fuss was about.
After reading many, many recipes for bread pudding I couldn’t wait to try it. After all of my research into ingredients and methods for the dish, it seemed to me that bread pudding was kind of a cousin to French toast and definitely a relative of a savory egg strata (and I love strata!).
Needless to say, once I finally tried a dessert plate full of homemade, old-fashioned bread pudding, it was definitely love at first bite! I’ve made bread pudding many times since then and I’ve also tinkered around with more exotic and seasonal ingredients when making it, but this simple cinnamon raisin version is my all-time favorite recipe for the dish…so far.
Of course, you can bake bread pudding in the oven, but I really love to make bread pudding in the slow cooker. This heavenly dessert seems to take on a ton of extra flavor after cooking low and slow for a couple of hours.
NOTE: I recommend using a plastic slow cooker liner if you won’t be available to stir the bread pudding a time or two as it cooks. Even on the lowest setting, it can stick to the sides of most slow cookers. Also, I only own a 5-quart slow cooker, so this recipe is meant for a slow cooker that size. Adjustments will need to be made for appliances that are different sizes.
The Sunday Supper Tastemakers are all sharing some of their favorite comforting slow cooker recipes this week too so be sure to visit the links to more terrific recipes and posts below! Thank you to our host this week, Em Beitel, and be sure to check out her blog, Life Tastes Good.
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Slow Cooker Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding
printable recipe
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 3 hours
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf store-bought French bread, cubed (around 8 cups)
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1-1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
1. In a small bowl, melt the butter and set it aside and allow it to cool slightly. Lightly spray slow cooker crock with non-stick cooking spray and place cubed bread into the crock. Evenly sprinkle raisins on top of the bread cubes.
2. In another medium size bowl, crack eggs and lightly beat them. Stir the cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and both the sugars into the beaten eggs. Next, pour the milk, heavy cream and butter into the eggs mixture and stir all ingredients until just combined.
3. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread mixture in the slow cooker crock. Give all ingredients a quick stir to make sure the bread cubes are evenly coated with the egg mixture and the raisins are evenly distributed.
4. Cover and allow to cook on the low setting for 3 hours. (I like to stir the bread pudding a least once each hour it cooks. it reduces how much it sticks to the slow cooker crock)
5. Serve warm and top with whipped cream (for breakfast!) or vanilla ice cream (for dessert!), if desired
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Slow Cooker Comfort Food Recipes #SundaySupper
Desserts, Breakfasts, and Sides
- Easy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Easy Slow Cooker Banana Coconut Pudding by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Baked Apples by Sprinkles and Sprouts
- Slower Cooker Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding by A Little Fish in the Kitchen
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter by Our Good Life
Main Dish
- Beef Brisket in Slow Cooker by Life Tastes Good
- Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff by Flour On My Face
- Crockpot Cabbage Rolls by My World Simplified
- Slow Cooker Asian BBQ Pork by Simple and Savory
- Slow Cooker Asian Garlic-Ginger Meatballs by The Weekend Gourmet
- Slow Cooker Beef Tips and Gravy by Sunday Supper Movement
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos by Hezzi-Dβs Books and Cooks
- Slow Cooker Cube Steaks Paprika by Hardly A Goddess
- Slow Cooker Pepperoncini Chicken by Cricketβs Confections
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak by Soulfully Made
- Slow Cooker Short Ribs with Mushrooms by Cooking Chat
- Slow Cooker Swiss Steak by Palatable Pastime
- Slow Cooker Tinga de Pollo Poblano by Cooking On The Ranch
Soups, Stews, and Pastas
- Beef Massaman Curry (Slow Cooker) by Carolineβs Cooking
- Beefy Chili Mac by Cindyβs Recipes and Writings
- Kid Friendly Mac and Cheese in a Crockpot by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Pork & Lentil Stew by Gourmet Everyday
- Slow Cooker Baked Ziti by A Mind βFullβ Mom
- Slow Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup by Bites of Wellness
- Slow Cooker Low Carb Mexican Casserole by My Life Cookbook
- Slow Cooker Pesto Mozzarella Chicken Pasta by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Slow Cooker Southwestern Pork Stew by The Freshman Cook
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? Itβs easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Hi Karen, thank you!
Thank you, Grace!
Thank you, John!
My family didn't make bread pudding or rice pudding. I remember the first one I had was while visiting New Orleans. Your slow cooker version sounds terrific.
Marcelle – this sounds (and, I bet, smells) wonderful! You are making me wish I owned a slow cooker!
superior bread pudding, marcelle! i don't use my slow cooker nearly enough!
Bread pudding is good stuff! And there are so many different ways to make it. I must admit, I never even thought of using a slow cooker! This looks excellent — and easy! Thanks so much.
Thank you, Cindy! :0)
David, I'd love to see what beautiful dishes would come from your slow cooker! π
Thank you, Liz!!
I love a good bread pudding. This sounds delicious!
Such an easy, delicious bread pudding! It sounds amazing!
Hi there, Angie! Thank you! π
I haven't baked or had bread pudding in ages! Love that you slow cooker to make this…very different yet so delicious!