How Long Does Bread Pudding Last in the Fridge?
A great bread pudding is like a nice warm hug that you just don’t want to end! That’s why it is important to know, how long does bread pudding last in the fridge?
Related: chocolate chip bread pudding, apple bread pudding
Bread pudding is an international classic! Whether it’s your favorite holiday brunch or cozy dessert you won’t want to let a single tasty bite go to waste. That’s why it’s worthwhile to know, “how long does bread pudding lasts in the fridge?” With proper storage you can have your pudding and eat it too, for days to come.
What is Bread Pudding?
Bread pudding is a sweet treat that is commonly served as breakfast or dessert. The best recipes for bread pudding are made with affordable, simple ingredients like whole eggs, milk and a loaf of bread. Although made from basic ingredients, they have so much rich, comforting pudding taste!
This classic dessert is made by soaking bread cubes in a sweetened whole milk and egg mixture. The custard mixture gives the chunks of bread a luscious, pudding-like texture. Next, the dish is baked so the inside becomes rich, soft, and spongy pudding while the exterior forms a nice golden brown, crispy top.
Bread pudding comes in many different varieties, like caramel, brown sugar, bourbon, cinnamon, and cocoa. Chefs can tweak this dish by adding flavors to the rich custard or choosing a unique type of bread, like challah bread. Some bread pudding recipes even use mix-ins, like chocolate chips as seen in our chocolate chip bread pudding recipe, to bring even more great flavor and texture to this perfect dessert.
The traditional bread pudding was designed to cut down on waste because it is made with leftover stale bread. That means whenever you have too much bread you can whip up this sustainable dessert!
This dessert makes the ideal comforting treat for cold weather and special occasions. It is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, fresh fruit, a sprinkle of lemon zest, or a creamy caramel sauce.
How Long Does Bread Pudding Last in the Fridge?
Delicious fresh bread pudding should never go to waste. That’s why many home chefs opt to refrigerate any leftovers. Luckily for bread pudding enthusiasts, when stored correctly, it remains delectable for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
The key to increasing the shelf life of bread pudding is proper storage. Handling and chilling the bread pudding with care helps prevent spoilage and the spread of harmful foodborne bacteria.
How to Store Bread Pudding in the Fridge
Storing homemade bread pudding is even easier than baking this simple treat!
To properly store bread pudding in the fridge, first allow it to cool completely. Next, transfer the bread pudding to an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap. Place the bread pudding in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How Long Can Bread Pudding Stay on the Counter?
Bread pudding is the perfect treat for holidays or weekend brunches. Everyone will swoon over the delicious aroma and eye-catching comforting appearance of this traditional treat, but when serving, you must keep temperatures and freshness in mind.
Bread pudding can sit on the counter for up to 2 hours. After that time, carefully store the bread pudding in the fridge to extend its shelf life.
Be careful not to leave the pudding out at room temperature for too long. Ambient temperatures create the ideal environment for bacteria to grow, so always chill leftover bread pudding within 2 hours of taking it out of the oven or refrigerator.
How to Reheat Bread Pudding
Thanks to the fridge, you can continue enjoying your favorite homemade bread pudding recipe the next day or even longer, but leftover bread pudding tastes the best when it’s warmed up! Fortunately, reheating this delicious dessert is so easy to do!
There are two great ways to reheat chilled bread pudding: the microwave and the oven. The oven is the best way to warm things up, but the microwave brings the heat in a hurry!
Here are a few tips for both methods:
- Microwave: To reheat in the microwave, remove the pudding from the fridge and place it in a microwave-safe bowl or plate. Heat the bread pudding in the microwave for 30 seconds and then check it for doneness. If it’s not warm throughout yet, place it back in the microwave for up to 30 additional seconds.
- Oven: To heat up the leftover bread pudding in the oven, preheat the oven to 300°F and grease a baking pan lightly with melted butter. Place the pudding in a baking pan and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Bake the bread pudding for 10-15 minutes or until warm throughout.
Both methods of reheating are excellent, but as a rule, only chill and reheat bread pudding once. For best results, follow these tips to keep your treat tasting fresh, soft and delicious!
Does Bread Pudding Go Bad?
If you do not properly store your baked bread pudding it can spoil. That is why it is important to take care with cooling, covering, and storing the dessert, but how can you tell when it’s gone bad?
To know if the bread pudding is still fresh, look for these signs of spoilage:
- Date: Always abide by the 3-4 day rule for the freshest flavor.
- Discoloration: If the pudding has a strange tint or visible mold growth, toss it out.
- Odor: Discard bread pudding that has a strange or unpleasant odor.
- Liquid: If the pudding has pooling liquid on its surface, throw it out.
For the avid bread pudding lover or someone experiencing this delight for the first time, understanding “how long does bread pudding last in the fridge?” is key to savoring the best bread pudding experience.
With its ingenious use of day-old bread and sumptuous vanilla sauce, this classic dessert can keep for 3-4 days when stored properly. So, whether you’re indulging in leftovers or planning ahead, rest assured that your beloved bread pudding will continue to delight, bite after bite.
FAQ
Can I Freeze Bread Pudding?
Yes! Luckily for us, bread pudding freezes well. The fridge is the perfect way to keep this treat fresh for a few days, but if you want to extend its shelf life even further, the freezer is the only way!
To freeze bread pudding, allow it to cool completely then cut individual slices and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then again in aluminum foil. Optionally, place the wrapped bread pudding in a freezer bag and then label the package with the contents and date. Freeze bread pudding for 2-3 months.
How do I Thaw Bread Pudding?
To thaw frozen bread pudding, remove individual portions from the freezer and place in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, the bread pudding can be stored and reheated as directed above.
Now that you know how to extend bread pudding’s shelf life by freezing it, you can reheat and indulge in a slice whenever a bread pudding need (or craving) strikes!