Gingerbread Pudding for Cozy Holiday Nights Recipe
Introduction
Gingerbread pudding is the perfect cozy dessert for chilly holiday nights. Rich with warm spices and molasses, this comforting treat brings a nostalgic flavor to your table. It’s easy to prepare and delightful to share with loved ones.

Ingredients
- 2 cups Milk (whole or any milk of choice)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (substitute with non-dairy cream for lighter version)
- 1 cup Brown Sugar (can swap with coconut sugar for a healthier twist)
- 1/2 cup Molasses (try blackstrap molasses for a less sweet alternative)
- 4 cups Bread Cubes (stale bread works best, gluten-free options are available)
- 4 large Eggs (use flaxseed meal or egg replacers for vegan options)
- 2 teaspoons Ground Ginger (fresh ginger can be a spicier alternative)
- 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon (mix in apple pie spice for a delightful twist)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (optional but recommended for added depth)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cloves (can be substituted with allspice if needed)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (imitation vanilla is a good alternative in a pinch)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, and molasses until smooth.
- Step 3: Stir in the bread cubes and let them soak for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: In another bowl, beat the eggs until frothy, then mix in the ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Gently fold the egg and spice mixture into the soaked bread, ensuring everything is evenly combined.
- Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Step 7: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the pudding is set and golden-brown on top.
- Step 8: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally topped with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.
Tips & Variations
- Use stale bread for the best texture; fresh bread may become too soggy.
- Swap heavy cream with non-dairy cream to make a lighter or vegan-friendly version.
- Add a handful of chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
- If you prefer more spice, increase the ground ginger or add a pinch of black pepper for warmth.
Storage
Store leftover pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warm. This pudding also freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh bread instead of stale bread?
Using fresh bread is possible but may result in a soggier texture. Stale bread absorbs the liquid better and keeps the pudding’s structure intact.
Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?
Yes, substitute the heavy cream with a non-dairy alternative like coconut cream and use your favorite plant-based milk. For eggs, use flaxseed meal or another egg replacer to keep it vegan-friendly.
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Gingerbread Pudding for Cozy Holiday Nights Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Gingerbread Pudding is a cozy, comforting dessert perfect for holiday nights. Bursting with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this pudding combines the richness of molasses and brown sugar with soft, soaked bread cubes for a tender, flavorful treat. Easy to prepare and baked to a golden perfection, it’s ideal served warm with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream to enhance the festive ambiance.
Ingredients
Liquid Ingredients
- 2 cups Milk (whole or any milk of choice)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (substitute with non-dairy cream for a lighter version)
- 1 cup Brown Sugar (can swap with coconut sugar for a healthier twist)
- 1/2 cup Molasses (try blackstrap molasses for a less sweet alternative)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (imitation vanilla is a good alternative in a pinch)
Dry Ingredients and Spices
- 2 teaspoons Ground Ginger (fresh ginger can be a spicier alternative)
- 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon (mix in apple pie spice for a delightful twist)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (optional but recommended for added depth)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cloves (can be substituted with allspice if needed)
Other Ingredients
- 4 cups Bread Cubes (stale bread works best, gluten-free options are available)
- 4 large Eggs (use flaxseed meal or egg replacers for vegan options)
Instructions
- Preparation Steps: Prepare all ingredients by measuring and gathering them for easy access during cooking.
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature.
- Mix Liquids and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, and molasses until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Soak Bread Cubes: Stir the stale bread cubes into the milk mixture, ensuring all cubes are submerged. Let them soak for 15 minutes to absorb the liquid flavors fully.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Add in the ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine all spices evenly.
- Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the egg and spice mixture into the soaked bread mixture, blending everything evenly without deflating the eggs too much.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish generously, then pour the pudding mixture in, smoothing out the top evenly.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the pudding is set and the top is a beautiful golden-brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pudding from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Serve warm, optionally topped with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent holiday dessert.
Notes
- Stale bread is preferred as it absorbs the liquid better without becoming soggy.
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flaxseed meal egg replacer and use non-dairy cream and milk.
- You can swap brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a healthier alternative.
- Blackstrap molasses gives a deeper, less sweet flavor compared to regular molasses.
- Fresh ginger can be used instead of ground for a spicier kick, but reduce quantity to one teaspoon.
- If you want extra texture, sprinkle chopped nuts or raisins before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Gingerbread pudding, holiday dessert, baked pudding, molasses dessert, spiced pudding, cozy dessert

