Italian Bread Dessert
Transform your stale bread into a show-stopping dessert with this classic Italian Bread Dessert recipe. This comforting dish combines tearable chunks of day-old Italian bread soaked in a luscious custard made with warm milk, rich heavy cream, eggs, and a hint of vanilla and cinnamon for aromatic depth. Sweet raisins are scattered throughout, providing bursts of flavor in every bite, while the golden-baked top offers a satisfying contrast to the soft, creamy interior. Ready in under an hour and perfect for sharing, this dessert is finished with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar and can be served warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent twist. Ideal for cozy gatherings or an end-of-meal treat, this recipe is a foolproof way to elevate humble pantry staples into a delightful Italian-inspired masterpiece.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams Day-old Italian bread
- 500 milliliters Whole milk
- 100 milliliters Heavy cream
- 100 grams Granulated sugar
- 3 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 50 grams Raisins
- 10 grams Unsalted butter
- 10 grams Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a medium-sized baking dish with unsalted butter.
Tear the day-old Italian bread into small, bite-sized pieces and place them in the prepared baking dish. Spread them out evenly.
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream over medium-low heat until it’s warm but not boiling. Remove from heat.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.
Slowly pour the warm milk and cream mixture into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Whisk until combined to form the custard.
Sprinkle the raisins evenly over the bread pieces in the baking dish, tucking some between the layers of bread for even distribution.
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and raisins, making sure all pieces of bread are soaked. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the custard to fully absorb.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set (a knife inserted in the center should come out clean).
Remove from the oven and let the dessert cool slightly before serving. Optional: Dust the top with powdered sugar for added sweetness and presentation.
Serve warm, optionally with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2320 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 82.4 g | 106% | |
| Saturated Fat | 41.1 g | 206% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 742 mg | 247% | |
| Sodium | 1930 mg | 84% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 324.2 g | 118% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.7 g | 42% | |
| Total Sugars | 172.7 g | ||
| Protein | 64.5 g | 129% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.7 mcg | 44% | |
| Calcium | 1210 mg | 93% | |
| Iron | 17.6 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 1720 mg | 37% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
