November 13 National Bread Pudding Day: Everything You Need to Know in 2026

Last updated: November 13, 2026

Quick Answer

November 13 National Bread Pudding Day is an annual informal food holiday celebrated each year on November 13. It honors one of the oldest comfort desserts in Western cooking, turning leftover bread into a rich, custardy baked dish. In 2026, the observance falls on Friday, November 13, giving home bakers, restaurants, and food lovers a full weekend to celebrate.

Key Takeaways

• November 13 is the widely recognized date for National Bread Pudding Day, observed annually and listed on major food-holiday databases including Checkiday and The Nibble [1][2]
• The holiday has no single founding proclamation; it is an informal observance with roots going back decades [1]
• New Orleans is considered the cultural capital of bread pudding in the United States, and many local restaurants run specials on November 13
• Stale French bread, brioche, or challah produce the best results because they absorb the custard without falling apart
• Bread pudding can be made one to two days ahead and refrigerated, making it ideal for entertaining
• Frozen bread pudding keeps well for up to three months when wrapped tightly
• Social media tags #NationalBreadPuddingDay and #BreadPuddingDay are the most active channels for the holiday [3]
• Some alternative calendars list a second observance on May 15, but November 13 is the most widely accepted date [4]
• Reheating works best in an oven at 325°F (163°C) covered with foil to retain moisture
• November is also National Bread Month, making the 13th a natural focal point for seasonal baking [5]

What Is National Bread Pudding Day?

National Bread Pudding Day is an informal annual food holiday that celebrates bread pudding, a baked dessert made from stale bread soaked in a sweetened egg-and-milk custard. It is observed on November 13 each year and is recognized by major food-holiday calendars including Checkiday, The Nibble, and DiningGuide [1][3][6].

The holiday does not carry a presidential proclamation or government designation. It belongs to a large ecosystem of food micro-holidays that food brands, restaurants, and culinary bloggers use to generate seasonal content and customer engagement. The Nibble notes that there are 22 pudding holidays throughout the year, and National Bread Pudding Day on November 13 is among the most recognized [2].

For bakers and food enthusiasts, the day is a prompt to try a new recipe, visit a favorite restaurant, or share a dish with family. It fits neatly into November, which is also recognized as National Bread Month [5].

If you enjoy exploring other dessert-focused food holidays, see our coverage of National Ice Cream Cake Day and National Raspberry Cake Day for similar inspiration.

Why Is November 13 Bread Pudding Day?

No single origin story explains why November 13 was chosen. Historical holiday calendars on Checkiday show the date recorded as a National Bread Pudding Day observance as far back as November 13, 1900, and it reappears consistently in entries through 1993 and 2010, all marked “observed annually on November 13th” [1]. This suggests the date has circulated informally for well over a century even though no founding document exists.

The timing makes cultural sense. November falls at the start of the holiday cooking season, when comfort food recipes see higher search traffic and stale bread from autumn baking is plentiful. The overlap with National Bread Month reinforces the connection [5].

One important note: some calendars, including EventGuide, list a second National Bread Pudding Day on May 15 [4]. Most major food databases, however, treat November 13 as the primary date. When planning events or content, use November 13 to reach the largest audience.

How to Celebrate Bread Pudding Day

The simplest way to celebrate November 13 National Bread Pudding Day is to bake a batch at home, order a slice at a local restaurant, or share a recipe on social media using #NationalBreadPuddingDay [3].

Practical ways to celebrate:

• Bake a classic bread pudding with bourbon sauce or a seasonal variation like pumpkin bread pudding, which food bloggers specifically recommend for November 13 [5]
• Visit a New Orleans-style restaurant or any diner that features the dish; many run day-of specials
• Post a photo on social media with the tags #NationalBreadPuddingDay and #BreadPuddingDay to join the online conversation [3]
• Gift a homemade loaf alongside a printed recipe card as an early holiday gesture
• Host a bread pudding tasting with two or three variations: classic vanilla, chocolate, and a savory version

For bakers who want to expand their repertoire beyond bread pudding, the 441 Pudding Cookbook is a strong resource covering a wide range of pudding styles and techniques.

Best Bread Pudding Recipe: Core Method

A reliable bread pudding requires stale bread, a well-seasoned custard, and enough baking time for the center to set without drying out the edges. Below is a straightforward method that works for most kitchens.

Ingredients (serves 8):

Method:

1. Let cubed bread dry out overnight, or toast at 275°F (135°C) for 15 minutes.
2. Whisk eggs, sugar, milk, cream, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
3. Fold in bread and optional mix-ins; let soak 30 minutes.
4. Pour into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 to 45 minutes until the top is golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Rest 10 minutes before serving with vanilla cream sauce or bourbon sauce.

What Type of Bread Is Best for Bread Pudding?

Stale, enriched breads with an open crumb structure work best for bread pudding because they soak up custard fully without disintegrating. Fresh bread releases too much moisture and results in a soggy texture.

Top choices, ranked by performance:

• Brioche: Rich butter content adds flavor and holds structure well; top choice for restaurant-style puddings
• Challah: Slightly sweeter, absorbs custard evenly; excellent for dessert versions
• French baguette: The classic New Orleans choice; firm crust creates textural contrast
• Sourdough: Adds a mild tang that balances sweet custard; works well in savory variations
• Sandwich bread: Acceptable in a pinch but produces a denser, less layered result

Avoid: Gluten-free sliced bread (too fragile), rye bread (flavor overpowers the custard), and any bread with strong herb seasonings unless making a savory dish.

For more bread-focused food holidays, check out September 8 Date Nut Bread Day for another reason to bake.

Can You Make Bread Pudding Ahead of Time?

Yes, bread pudding can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated unbaked, or baked up to two days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. This makes it one of the most practical make-ahead desserts for holiday entertaining.

Make-ahead options:

• Unbaked: Assemble fully, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake as directed adding 5 to 10 extra minutes
• Baked: Cool completely, cover tightly, refrigerate up to 3 days
• Sauce: Prepare bourbon or vanilla sauce up to a week ahead; reheat gently on the stove

Can You Freeze Bread Pudding?

Bread pudding freezes well for up to three months when handled correctly. Freeze it after baking and cooling completely.

Freezing steps:

1. Cut into individual portions for easier thawing
2. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil
3. Place in a labeled freezer bag
4. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating

Sauce should be frozen separately in a small container. Do not freeze unbaked pudding, as the soaked bread breaks down during freezing and produces an uneven texture after baking.

How to Reheat Bread Pudding

The oven is the best method for reheating bread pudding because it restores the slightly crisp top without drying out the interior. A microwave works for single servings but softens the texture throughout.

Oven method (recommended):

• Preheat to 325°F (163°C)
• Place portions in an oven-safe dish
• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or cream over the top
• Cover tightly with foil
• Heat 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through

Microwave method (quick):

• Place one portion on a microwave-safe plate
• Drape a damp paper towel over it
• Heat on 50% power in 45-second intervals until warm

How Long Does Bread Pudding Last?

Baked bread pudding lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. At room temperature, it should not sit for more than 2 hours because the egg-based custard is perishable.

Where to Find Bread Pudding Deals on November 13

Many restaurants run specials tied to November 13 National Bread Pudding Day, particularly in cities with strong dessert cultures. New Orleans is the most reliable city for bread pudding promotions, as the dish is widely regarded as the city’s signature dessert and appears on menus year-round.

How to find deals:

• Search “[your city] bread pudding special November 13” on Google Maps or Yelp the week before
• Check local bakery and restaurant social media accounts for #NationalBreadPuddingDay promotions [3]
• Call ahead to confirm; many smaller restaurants do not advertise online
• Look for bundled deals at Southern-cuisine, French-inspired, or comfort-food restaurants

National chains rarely run food-holiday specials for niche observances, so independent restaurants and bakeries are the better bet. If the dessert section of a local restaurant’s menu includes bread pudding year-round, that kitchen is a natural candidate for a November 13 special.

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

Bread pudding and French toast use similar core ingredients (bread, eggs, milk, sugar) but differ in preparation method, texture, and serving context. French toast is pan-fried slice by slice, while bread pudding is a baked casserole.

Both dishes are excellent ways to use stale bread, but bread pudding scales more easily for a crowd and holds better when made ahead.

Common Bread Pudding Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent bread pudding errors come down to wrong bread choice, insufficient soaking time, and overbaking. Each one produces a noticeably inferior result.

Mistakes and fixes:

• Using fresh bread: Results in a soggy, dense texture. Always use day-old or oven-dried bread.
• Skipping the soak: Rushing past the 30-minute minimum means the custard does not fully penetrate. Longer is better.
• Overbaking: The center should be just set, not dry. Pull it when a knife comes out with a few moist crumbs, not bone dry.
• Too little fat: Using only skim milk produces a thin custard. Whole milk plus cream is the standard; at minimum, use whole milk.
• No resting time: Cutting immediately after baking causes the pudding to fall apart. Rest at least 10 minutes.
• Under-seasoning: Custard needs salt (about 1/4 teaspoon) even in a sweet recipe to balance flavors.

FAQ

What day is National Bread Pudding Day? National Bread Pudding Day is observed annually on November 13. In 2026, it falls on Friday, November 13 [1][6].

Is National Bread Pudding Day an official holiday? No. It is an informal food observance with no government proclamation. It is recognized by food-holiday databases and culinary websites but carries no legal or institutional status [1].

Is there more than one National Bread Pudding Day each year? Some calendars list a second observance on May 15, but November 13 is the more widely recognized and cited date [2][4].

What city is most associated with bread pudding? New Orleans is considered the cultural home of American bread pudding, where it appears on nearly every restaurant menu and is described as the city’s near-official regional dessert.

Can bread pudding be served savory? Yes. Savory versions use cheese, herbs, and vegetables instead of sugar and vanilla, and are served as a side dish or brunch main rather than a dessert.

What sauce goes with bread pudding? Bourbon whiskey sauce is the classic New Orleans pairing. Vanilla cream sauce, caramel sauce, and hard sauce (butter, sugar, egg, whiskey) are common alternatives.

How do you know when bread pudding is done? Insert a knife into the center; it should come out with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown and the edges slightly pulled from the sides of the dish.

Can you make bread pudding without eggs? Eggs can be replaced with flax eggs or commercial egg replacers, but the custard will be less rich and may not set as firmly. Cornstarch (1 tablespoon per egg) blended with milk can help compensate.

What is the hashtag for National Bread Pudding Day? The most active tags are #NationalBreadPuddingDay and #BreadPuddingDay [3].

Does bread pudding need to be refrigerated? Yes. Because it contains eggs and dairy, bread pudding must be refrigerated within two hours of baking and will keep for up to four days.

Conclusion

November 13 National Bread Pudding Day is a simple but worthwhile reason to bake, dine out, or share a recipe. The day has no official founder, but its consistent appearance across food calendars for decades confirms it as one of the more durable food holidays on the calendar [1][2].

Actionable next steps for November 13, 2026:

1. Choose a bread pudding recipe now, using brioche or French bread for best results
2. If baking for a group, assemble the dish the night before and refrigerate overnight
3. Check local restaurant social media this week for #NationalBreadPuddingDay deals
4. Post your result on social media with #NationalBreadPuddingDay and #BreadPuddingDay
5. Explore the 441 Pudding Cookbook for more pudding ideas beyond the classic recipe

For more food-holiday inspiration this season, see our coverage of National Fudge Day 2026 and National Jam Day.

References

1. National Bread Pudding Day. checkiday.com.
2. Hatch Chile Tres Leches Bread Pudding Recipe More Hatch. thenibble.com.
3. Today. diningguide.com.
4. 115978. eventguide.com.
5. What to Eat This November. thegingeredwhisk.com.
6. checkiday.com.