Bread pudding is a genius way to put your stale bread to good use. Sweet and sticky and best eaten warm, it’s a treat that’s loved around the world.
If you’re wondering, “Can you freeze bread pudding?” you’re not alone. Made with lots of eggs and butter, many people would assume that it’s best eaten immediately after the bread pudding is made.
Can you freeze bread pudding, even though it’s made with these delicate ingredients? The answer is yes! Bread pudding freezes surprisingly well, making it a great dessert option to store for leftovers and enjoy for the coming days – or even weeks!
How to Freeze Bread Pudding
Once you make it, cool it, and enjoy your first slice, you can store what’s left in your freezer and warm it up when you’re ready for another piece.
If you want to know the process behind the answer to, “Can you freeze bread pudding?” read on. Below are the steps to freeze your bread pudding from home.
1. Wrap
First, you’ll need to wrap up your bread pudding loaf or dish tightly in plastic wrap or a freezer bag. Aluminum foil or other materials are not ideal to use, as they may allow air to get in, which could create freezer burn and ruin the bread pudding.
2. Seal
Ensure your wrap is sealed around the loaf or pudding dish so that no air can get in or out. A tight seal helps preserve the pudding so it can last longer.
3. Label
Many people save leftovers in the freezer, only to forget about them hidden at the bottom for months. Label your bag or wrapped dish so that you know your banana bread is in there – and so you don’t mix it up with something else. It’s also smart to write the date that you’re putting it in the freezer, so you know how long it stays in there.
5. Sauce
Hopefully, you haven’t already poured the sauce over the bread pudding before freezing. The best way to extend the shelf life of bread pudding is to keep the sauce separate and pour it on one slice at a time. You can freeze the sauce separately in a small container and heat it when you’re ready to enjoy the dessert.
How Long Does Bread Pudding Last?
How long bread pudding lasts will depend on how you’re storing it.
How long will bread pudding keep in the refrigerator? It will keep for up to 5 days when stored tightly in a covered container in the fridge.
How long will it keep in the freezer? If stored properly, you can store it for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Considerations When Freezing Bread Pudding
Store-Bought Bread Pudding
If you decided to buy your bread pudding rather than make it at home, there’s a chance that the dessert was purchased with the sauce already poured on top. If the sauce came on the side, no problem! You can follow the same instructions as with homemade bread pudding.
If the pudding has sauce already on top, you need to be warned that freezing and unfreezing it will likely lead to a wet, soggy mess rather than a warm, syrupy dessert.
If this is the case, you’re better off storing the pudding in the refrigerator and enjoying it over the next five days or so. Can’t eat it all on your own? Bring it to the office for coworkers to enjoy, or bring a slice to your neighbor!
Thawing and Reheating Bread Pudding
Heating up your bread pudding from a completely frozen state is a bad idea. If you want your bread pudding to taste its best when eating it after freezing, there are some important steps to take.
First, decide how you’re going to let it thaw. Your options are either the refrigerator or the countertop. The fridge thawing method will take a bit longer than the counter method, but that’s up to you. Either one works just fine.
Even if the bread pudding feels harder or denser than usual after thawing, don’t worry. When you heat it up and add the sauce, it will taste just as it should.
To warm it up:
- Choose either the microwave or the oven.
- For the microwave, start by heating it 10-20 seconds at a time until warm.
- For the oven, reheat it at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. You can microwave the sauce for a couple of seconds, too.
Take the pudding out of the heating element and drizzle the sauce on top. Enjoy!
Alternatives For Storing Bread Pudding
Freezing your bread pudding is not the only way to store this dessert. However, if you’re hoping to enjoy it weeks down the road, you’re better off freezing it.
You can also store it in your refrigerator for up to five days, but some people may prefer to eat it 1-3 days after making it, as it tends to dry out.
It’s not recommended to leave the bread pudding on the counter for very long, as the recipe has ingredients that need to be kept cold, like milk and eggs.
Ways to Enjoy Frozen Bread Pudding
If you want to make old bread pudding feel like new again, there are a few ways you can use the same dessert to make something different!
- Make french toast by slicing the bread pudding, lightly dipping in an egg/milk mixture, and frying on the skillet.
- Make cake pops by blending dry bread pudding crumbs with homemade buttercream frosting.
- Grill it for a toasty treat and top with ice cream.
- Fry it, top it with whipped cream and your favorite fruit.
Freeze and Enjoy Bread Pudding Later
If you’re a bread pudding lover who hates seeing leftovers go to waste, try freezing it next time by following the instructions above and enjoy your bread pudding for weeks down the line.
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