Easy Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding Recipe: A Simple & Delicious Dessert or Brunch Idea

Indulge in the perfect harmony of sweet, tangy, and comforting flavors with our easy Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding recipe. This delightful dessert brings together the classic pairing of bright lemon and plump blueberries within a rich, custardy bread base, all crowned with a vibrant lemon glaze. It’s an effortlessly elegant treat, a cozy breakfast, or a show-stopping brunch item that promises to impress everyone at your table.

The combination of lemon and blueberries is undeniably one of nature’s finest. Their distinct flavors complement each other beautifully, creating a refreshingly zesty yet perfectly sweet experience. This bread pudding perfectly captures that irresistible duo, much like our other favorite, the Lemon Blueberry Scones. Each spoonful offers a burst of sunshine, making it a perfect dish for any season or occasion.

Originally published August 31, 2017

Discover the Delight of Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding

This Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding is more than just a simple dessert; it’s a celebration of comfort and flavor, designed to be both easy to make and utterly delicious. If you’ve ever wondered about the subtle differences between bread pudding and baked French toast, you’re not alone. It’s a bit of a nuanced area, but the key distinction often lies in the bread preparation. While baked French toast frequently uses sliced bread, retaining more of its original structure, bread pudding is typically made with cubed bread. This allows the bread to fully absorb the rich custard mixture, creating a softer, more uniformly tender, and deeply satisfying texture throughout. Whether you enjoy dessert for breakfast – because life is about embracing joy and balance – this recipe offers a perfect, comforting treat for any time of day.

Why This Recipe Will Become a Family Favorite

There are numerous reasons why this Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding is destined to become a staple in your recipe collection. Its vibrant flavors and straightforward preparation make it a standout dish that’s both refreshing and deeply satisfying. Here’s why you’ll absolutely love it:

• Effortlessly Delicious: With minimal prep and easy-to-find ingredients, you can create a dessert that tastes gourmet without the fuss. It’s perfect for novice bakers and seasoned pros alike.
• Harmonious Flavor Profile: The bright, zesty notes of fresh lemon perfectly cut through the sweetness of the custard, while plump blueberries burst with juicy flavor in every bite. This creates a beautifully balanced and incredibly appealing taste.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: This bread pudding shines whether served warm as a decadent dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or enjoyed for a special weekend breakfast or brunch. It’s even delightful when served chilled!
• Resourceful and Economical: It’s an ingenious way to utilize day-old bread, preventing food waste and transforming simple staples into something truly spectacular.
• Highly Customizable: Feel free to personalize this recipe with other seasonal fruits, a sprinkle of nuts, or different spices to match your preferences and explore new flavor combinations.

How to Make the Perfect Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding: Step-by-Step

Creating this irresistible bread pudding is surprisingly simple. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfectly moist, flavorful, and custardy result every single time:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. This crucial step ensures that your bread pudding doesn’t stick and makes for easy serving later on.
2. Ready the Bread Cubes: Cut your day-old bread into roughly 1-inch cubes. Distribute these bread cubes evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Using day-old or slightly stale bread is paramount here, as it acts like a sponge, effectively absorbing the rich custard mixture without becoming soggy, leading to a much better texture.
3. Whisk Together the Custard Base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the three large eggs, two cups of whole milk, two tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, half a cup of granulated white sugar, two teaspoons of fresh lemon zest (from one large lemon), half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a small pinch of salt. Whisk all these ingredients vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and the sugar has mostly dissolved. The lemon zest is essential for infusing a bright, aromatic essence throughout the custard.
4. Pour and Soak the Bread: Carefully pour the liquid custard mixture evenly over the cubed bread in the baking pan. Using a flat spatula, gently press down any dry bread pieces that are poking up, ensuring that every single cube is submerged and has the opportunity to soak up the luscious custard. This soaking process is vital for achieving a moist, tender, and uniformly custardy bread pudding.
5. Rest and Add Blueberries: Allow the bread and custard mixture to rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This critical resting time gives the bread sufficient opportunity to fully absorb the liquid, contributing to that desirable custardy texture. After the rest, evenly sprinkle the 1-½ cups of fresh or frozen blueberries over the top of the bread. If using frozen blueberries, there’s no need to thaw them first.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the uncovered baking pan into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the center feels set. When gently shaken, the middle should have a slight jiggly quality but no longer appear liquid. An internal temperature of about 195-200°F (90-93°C) will also indicate doneness.
7. Prepare the Zesty Lemon Glaze: While your bread pudding cools slightly, prepare the irresistible lemon glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the two cups of powdered sugar, the juice from one large lemon (about 2-3 tablespoons), half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2-3 teaspoons of milk. Start with two teaspoons of milk and add more gradually, whisking until you achieve your desired drizzling consistency – it should be thick enough to coat a spoon but still flow easily.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Once the bread pudding has cooled for a few minutes, generously drizzle the fresh lemon glaze over the top. Serve warm, perhaps with an additional dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream for an ultimate indulgent experience. Enjoy every delightful bite!

Mastering Your Bread Pudding: Essential Tips for Success

To achieve a bread pudding that’s always perfectly moist, flavorful, and delightfully custardy, keep these expert tips in mind. They’ll guide you to a spectacular result every time:

• Embrace Day-Old Bread: The Golden Rule! This is by far the most critical tip for any bread pudding. Stale or day-old bread is drier, allowing it to act like a sponge and fully absorb the rich egg and milk custard. Fresh bread retains too much moisture, which can lead to a disappointingly soggy and dense pudding. If fresh bread is all you have, simply cut it into cubes, spread them on a baking sheet, and bake in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes. The goal is to dry it out slightly, not toast it. Leftover French Bread is consistently ideal for this recipe. Other excellent choices include brioche, challah, or even good quality white sandwich bread. These lighter-textured breads offer the best results. Steer clear of very dense, whole-grain breads as they can make the pudding too heavy. For an extra luxurious touch, even croissants can be cubed and used!
• Don’t Skimp on Soaking Time: Proper absorption is key to a truly custardy texture. After pouring the egg and milk mixture over the bread, allow it to rest for at least 10-20 minutes. During this time, gently press down on any dry pieces of bread with a spatula to ensure they are fully submerged and soak up the delicious liquid. This step prevents dry pockets and guarantees a uniformly moist pudding.
• Plan Ahead: An Overnight Wonder! This recipe is incredibly convenient for meal prep. Assemble the entire bread pudding (all steps leading up to baking) the night before. Cover the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. In the morning, simply remove it from the fridge about 15-20 minutes before baking to allow it to come slightly closer to room temperature, then bake as directed. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be starting cold.
• Choosing the Right Bread: The type of bread significantly impacts the final texture. For a classic, light, and airy bread pudding, opt for breads with a more open crumb. French bread, challah, brioche, or a good quality white bread are fantastic options. Their structure allows them to absorb the custard beautifully without becoming overly dense. Heavier, whole-grain breads are generally not recommended as they can result in a thick and stodgy pudding.
• Fresh or Frozen Blueberries? Both Work! You can use either fresh or frozen blueberries in this recipe. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand; simply add them directly from the freezer to the bread pudding mixture. They might slightly extend the baking time, but their flavor and texture will remain excellent. I personally love using fresh blueberries because it’s hard to resist snacking on a few while I’m preparing the dish!
• Avoid Overbaking for Creaminess: A perfectly baked bread pudding should still have a slight “jiggle” in the center when it’s removed from the oven. It will continue to set as it cools. Overbaking can lead to a dry, rubbery, or crumbly texture, so keep a close eye on it during the final minutes of baking. The top should be golden brown and the edges set.

Scaling Up and Customizing Your Bread Pudding

This recipe is wonderfully versatile and can easily be scaled up if you’re serving a larger gathering or simply want more deliciousness to enjoy throughout the week. If you decide to double the recipe, ensure you use a larger 9×13-inch baking pan. When doubling, remember to adjust the baking time accordingly; it will likely need to bake for at least 60-70 minutes, or until the center is fully set and the top is golden brown. An undercooked doubled recipe can result in a disappointingly soggy base, so a gentle jiggle test remains your best friend.

Feeling creative? This bread pudding is a fantastic canvas for customization. Consider adding a handful of slivered almonds, chopped pecans, or even white chocolate chips along with the blueberries for extra texture and flavor. A light dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg in the custard can also add a warm, inviting spice note. For a different citrus twist, orange zest can replace lemon zest, and other berries like raspberries or mixed berries would also be delicious.

The Irresistible Finishing Touch: Tangy Lemon Glaze

While the Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding is a masterpiece on its own, the homemade lemon glaze truly elevates it to an entirely new level. The bright, tangy sweetness of this simple glaze provides a perfect counterpoint to the rich, creamy custard and the bursts of juicy blueberries. It creates a harmonious and incredibly addictive flavor profile that will have everyone asking for seconds. As a huge enthusiast for all things lemon, I can confidently say that this vibrant glaze is what transforms this from a great bread pudding into one of the absolute best I’ve ever tasted. Drizzle it generously over the warm (or cooled) pudding for that ultimate, perfect final touch!

More Indulgent Dessert-for-Breakfast Ideas

We believe there’s always room for a little sweetness, whether it’s for an indulgent dessert or to make a morning feel extra special! While healthy choices are important, sometimes a celebratory breakfast is just what you need. If you’re looking for more comforting and delicious sweet breakfast or brunch recipes, perfect for special occasions or simply treating yourself, explore some of our other cherished favorites:

• Classic Banana Coffee Cake: A wonderfully moist and tender cake, featuring the comforting flavor of banana and a delightful streusel topping. Perfect with your morning coffee or tea.
• Delicious Strawberry Banana Bread: A delightful, fruity twist on a beloved classic, combining the vibrant sweetness of strawberries with the comforting familiarity of banana bread.
• Easy Classic Coffee Cake Recipe: A timeless and comforting recipe that’s simple to prepare and always a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any breakfast or brunch.
• Best Homemade Orange Rolls: Fluffy, soft, and bursting with bright citrus flavor, these rolls are drenched in a sweet orange glaze. They are pure breakfast heaven!

📝 Printable Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding