May 15 National Bread Pudding Day: History, Recipes & How to Celebrate

Last updated: May 15, 2026

Quick Answer: May 15 National Bread Pudding Day is an unofficial food holiday honoring one of the world’s oldest comfort desserts. While the most widely recognized date is November 13th (observed annually on November 13th each year), some food holiday calendars also list May 15 as a day to celebrate bread pudding. Mark your calendar, pull out a loaf of stale bread, and make bread pudding from scratch.

Key Takeaways

• National Bread Pudding Day is observed annually on November 13th, with May 15 appearing on select food holiday calendars as an alternate date.
• Bread pudding is a baked custard dessert made by soaking stale bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and spices.
• The dish traces its roots to 11th- and 12th-century England, where wasted bread was repurposed into food.
• Both sweet and savory bread pudding recipes exist, making it one of the most versatile comfort foods.
• Stale bread actually produces better pudding than fresh bread because it absorbs custard more efficiently.
• The hashtags #NationalBreadPuddingDay and #BreadPuddingDay are popular on Instagram each November 13th.
• National Indian Pudding Day is also observed on November 13th, making it a notable day for pudding lovers.
• Bread pudding lasts up to 4 days refrigerated and can be made 1-2 days ahead of time.

What Is Bread Pudding?

Bread pudding is a baked dessert made by soaking cubed or torn bread in a sweetened custard of eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and spices, then baking until set. The result is a soft, custardy interior with a lightly crisp top. It is one of the most forgiving and adaptable dishes in any home cook’s repertoire, working equally well as a sweet dessert or a savory side dish.

Classic bread pudding recipes call for day-old or stale bread, vanilla, cinnamon, and a finishing sauce such as bourbon caramel or vanilla cream. Savory bread pudding versions swap the sugar for cheese, herbs, and vegetables. For more classic baked dessert inspiration, check out National Plum Pudding Day history and recipes and National Chocolate Cake Day history and recipes.

When Is National Bread Pudding Day?

National Bread Pudding Day is observed annually on November 13th each year. The date November 13th, 2026 falls on a Friday, making it an ideal occasion to bake a batch for friends or family. Below are upcoming dates for planning purposes:

Some food holiday calendars list May 15 as an alternate pudding day, which is why searches for “May 15 National Bread Pudding Day” appear alongside the November date. Both dates give fans a reason to celebrate. The day national recognition lands on is November 13th, but any day is a good day for bread pudding.

Also on November 13th: National Indian Pudding Day and National Mom’s and Dad’s Day are observed, making the 13th one of the busiest food holidays of the autumn calendar. National Indian Pudding Day celebrates a colonial-era cornmeal pudding distinct from bread pudding. Explore more national food observances throughout the year.

Bread Pudding History and Origin

Bread pudding originated in 11th- and 12th-century England as a practical solution to food waste, when cooks soaked stale bread in water, then squeezed it dry and added fat, sugar, and spices. The dish traveled to the American colonies and became deeply embedded in Southern cuisine, particularly in New Orleans, where it evolved into a restaurant staple topped with whiskey sauce.

Key milestones in bread pudding history:

• 11th, 12th century England: Stale bread soaked in water or milk, baked as “poor man’s pudding.”
• 18th-century America: Colonial cooks adapted the recipe using local ingredients including molasses (see National Molasses Bar Day history).
• 19th-century New Orleans: Bread pudding with bourbon sauce became a signature restaurant dish.
• 20th century onward: Savory bread pudding recipes gained popularity in American food media and culinary blog culture.

The dish’s longevity reflects a core principle of cooking: good food wastes nothing.

Best Bread Pudding Recipe and How to Make Bread Pudding from Scratch

A classic bread pudding recipe requires six core ingredients and about 60 minutes total. Here is a reliable base recipe:

Ingredients:

• 6 cups day-old or stale bread, cubed (French bread or brioche work best)
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Steps to make bread pudding:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Spread bread cubes evenly in the dish.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon together.
4. Pour custard over bread; press down so every piece soaks through.
5. Let sit 15-20 minutes (or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor).
6. Bake 40-45 minutes until golden and set in the center.
7. Finish with a sauce of your choice before serving.

Bread pudding toppings ideas:

• Bourbon caramel sauce
• Vanilla cream sauce
• Powdered sugar and fresh berries
• Salted caramel drizzle
• Whipped cream and toasted pecans

For savory bread pudding, replace sugar and vanilla with shredded gruyere, caramelized onions, fresh thyme, and chicken broth. Savory recipes work beautifully as a side dish for holidays or brunch. The sweet savory range of this dish is what keeps pudding recipes national favorites year after year.

Bread Pudding vs. French Toast: What Is the Difference?

Bread pudding and french toast use nearly identical ingredients but differ in method and texture. French toast is cooked slice-by-slice on a stovetop griddle, producing a crisp exterior with a soft center. Bread pudding is baked as a whole dish, resulting in a custardy, cohesive texture throughout.

Key differences at a glance:

• Form: French toast is individual slices; bread pudding is a baked casserole.
• Texture: French toast is crisp outside; bread pudding is uniformly soft and custardy.
• Serving: French toast is a breakfast item; bread pudding is typically a dessert or side dish.
• Sauce: Bread pudding almost always includes a sauce; french toast uses syrup or powdered sugar.

Both dishes are excellent ways to use stale bread, and both qualify as comfort food classics.

Can You Make Bread Pudding Ahead of Time?

Yes, bread pudding can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated unbaked, which actually improves the final texture by giving the bread more time to absorb the custard. Bake it fresh on the day you plan to serve it for the best results.

Storage tips:

• Refrigerate baked bread pudding in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheat in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying.

Bread Pudding Without Eggs and Alcohol-Free Versions

Egg-free bread pudding uses a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed plus 3 tbsp water per egg) or a commercial egg replacer to bind the custard. The texture is slightly less firm but still satisfying. Use full-fat coconut milk or oat milk in place of dairy for a fully vegan pudding.

For an alcohol-free bread pudding sauce, replace bourbon with vanilla extract, apple cider, or strong brewed coffee. The sauce still delivers rich flavor without any alcohol content, making it suitable for all ages and dietary preferences.

Why Is My Bread Pudding Soggy, and How to Fix It?

Soggy bread pudding usually results from too much liquid, underbaking, or using fresh bread instead of stale bread. Stale bread has a drier cell structure that absorbs custard without becoming waterlogged, which is why using day-old bread is the single most important step.

Common fixes:

• Use a 2:1 ratio of bread to custard by volume.
• Let the assembled dish rest at least 15 minutes before baking so bread absorbs evenly.
• Bake until the center reaches 160°F internally and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Avoid covering the dish during baking, which traps steam and softens the top crust.

How Long Does Bread Pudding Last?

Baked bread pudding lasts up to 4 days in the refrigerator when stored in a covered container. At room temperature, it should not sit out for more than 2 hours due to the egg-based custard. Frozen bread pudding maintains quality for up to 2 months.

Hashtags, Social Sharing, and Food Media

On November 13th each year, food lovers across Instagram and other platforms post under #NationalBreadPuddingDay and #BreadPuddingDay to share their recipes and restaurant finds. The food travel media and culinary blog community treats this as one of the year’s most photogenic food holidays, given the dish’s rich color and texture.

To join the conversation in 2026: post your bread pudding photo on Instagram using #NationalBreadPuddingDay, tag your favorite food travel media blog, and check out pudding recipes national food sites like The Nibble blog for curated recipe roundups. The Nibble is a well-known culinary media outlet that covers food holidays in depth. For daily updates and more food holidays, explore national food days and food holidays 2026.

You can also contact local bakeries or restaurants to ask whether they offer special bread pudding menus on the 13th. Many restaurants near you may feature limited-edition bread pudding with seasonal toppings or unique sauce pairings on this day. Use a daily search on food apps or check your favorite restaurant’s social media for notifications about specials.

• #BreadPuddingDay
• #BreadPudding
• #FoodHolidays
• #NationalFoodDay

FAQ

Is there a national bread pudding day?

Yes. National Bread Pudding Day is observed annually on November 13th in the United States. Some food holiday calendars also list May 15 as an alternate date, which is why both dates appear in search results. The November 13th date is the most widely recognized and celebrated across food media, culinary blogs, and social platforms including Instagram.

What state is bread pudding from?

Bread pudding is most closely associated with Louisiana, particularly New Orleans, where it became a signature dessert in Creole cuisine. However, the dish originated in 11th-century England and arrived in America through colonial cooking traditions. New Orleans elevated it into a restaurant classic, typically served warm with a rich bourbon whiskey sauce.

What is America’s oldest dessert?

Historians often cite Indian pudding, a cornmeal-based baked pudding sweetened with molasses, as one of America’s oldest desserts, dating to the colonial era of the 17th century. National Indian Pudding Day is also observed on November 13th, the same day as National Bread Pudding Day. Bread pudding itself has colonial American roots as well, making both strong contenders.

Is bread pudding alcoholic?

Traditional bread pudding is not alcoholic, but many classic recipes include a bourbon or whiskey sauce served on top. The bread pudding itself contains no alcohol. For a fully alcohol-free version, substitute the bourbon in the sauce with vanilla extract, apple cider, or strong brewed coffee to achieve a similarly rich flavor without any alcohol content.

Conclusion

National Bread Pudding Day, observed annually on November 13th (with May 15 appearing on some food holiday calendars), is a genuine celebration of one of the most resourceful and satisfying dishes in culinary history. Whether you prefer a sweet classic with bourbon sauce or a savory bread pudding loaded with cheese and herbs, the recipe is forgiving, affordable, and endlessly adaptable.

Actionable next steps for 2026:

1. Save the date: November 13th, 2026 (Friday) is the next National Bread Pudding Day.
2. Buy a loaf of bread today and let it go stale for 1-2 days before baking.
3. Choose a sweet or savory recipe and assemble it the night before for best results.
4. Share your creation on Instagram using #NationalBreadPuddingDay and #BreadPuddingDay.
5. Explore related food holidays like National Southern Food Day for more comfort food inspiration.

Bread pudding rewards patience and simplicity. Start with stale bread, a good custard, and a well-made sauce, and the result will speak for itself.