Golden Corral Bread Pudding Recipe – Warm & Comforting

I’ll be real with you — this Golden Corral bread pudding recipe is not about showing skills. It’s about feeling good. Warm spoon. Soft bread. That sweet smell in the kitchen that makes everyone walk in asking, “what are you making?”

I didn’t grow up baking fancy desserts. This kind of thing? Leftover bread. Milk. Eggs. Whatever was there. And somehow it always worked. Bread pudding is forgiving like that. You mess up a little — it still tastes good. Been there. More than once.

Golden Corral’s version always felt extra comforting to me. Not too dry. Not soaked like soup either. Just soft, custardy, sweet enough… and that sauce on top — honestly, that’s what seals the deal.

So yeah. This is my at-home version. No pressure. No perfect steps. Just you, your oven, and something really cozy coming together.

Before we start — quick rundown

This takes about 15 minutes to put together, then 40–45 minutes baking. You’ll get 6 to 8 servings, depending how generous you are. Difficulty? Easy. If you can stir and wait, you’re good.

Golden Corral bread pudding recipe

Golden Corral bread pudding recipe

Golden Corral’s version always felt extra comforting to me. Not too dry. Not soaked like soup either. Just soft, custardy, sweet enough…
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

4 cups day-old bread, cubed (white bread works best)
2 cups milk
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
¼ cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
½ cup raisins (optional, but very Golden Corral-style)
For the Sweet Sauce (Optional but Recommended)
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup butter
¼ cup heavy cream or milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 1 One mixing bowl
  • 2 Fork or whisk
  • 3 Measuring cups/spoons
  • 4 Baking dish
  • 5 Small saucepan
  • 6 Oven

Method
 

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
    Grease a baking dish lightly with butter.
      Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish.
        In a bowl, whisk milk, eggs, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
          Pour this mixture over the bread. Press gently so everything soaks well.
            Sprinkle raisins on top if using.
              Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set.
                Sweet Sauce Instructions
                  In a small pan, melt butter on low heat.
                    Add brown sugar and cream, stir until smooth.
                      Remove from heat and mix in vanilla.
                        Pour warm sauce over bread pudding before serving.

                          Notes

                          • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days
                          • Reheat in microwave or oven before serving

                          Tools you’ll need (normal kitchen stuff)

                          Golden Corral bread pudding recipe

                          • One mixing bowl
                          • Fork or whisk
                          • Measuring cups/spoons
                          • Baking dish (square or rectangle, doesn’t matter much)
                          • Small saucepan
                          • Oven

                          Nothing fancy. Promise.

                          Golden Corral bread pudding recipe
                          Golden Corral bread pudding recipe

                          Ingredients (Golden Corral bread pudding recipe)

                          For the bread pudding:

                          • 4 cups bread, cubed — day-old is best. White bread works great. Brioche if you want it richer.
                          • 2 cups milk — whole milk gives that soft texture, but any milk works.
                          • 3 large eggs — helps everything set.
                          • ¾ cup white sugar — sweet but not overpowering.
                          • ¼ cup melted butter — let it cool a bit first.
                          • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract — this is the main flavor, don’t skip.
                          • 1 teaspoon cinnamon — warm, cozy taste.
                          • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg — optional, but very classic.
                          • Pinch of salt — small amount, big difference.

                          For the sweet sauce:

                          • ½ cup brown sugar
                          • ¼ cup butter
                          • ¼ cup heavy cream
                          • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

                          That’s it. Simple list. No weird ingredients.

                          ALSO READ: Easy Alkaline Smoothie Recipes for Calm, Better Mornings

                          Cooking it — relaxed, no rushing

                          First thing, heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your baking dish.

                          Add the bread cubes into the dish. Spread them out. Uneven pieces are fine — actually better.

                          In a bowl, mix the milk, eggs, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. It doesn’t need to look pretty. Just mixed well.

                          Slowly pour this over the bread. You’ll see the bread start soaking it up. Use a spoon to gently press things down so nothing stays dry on top.

                          Now stop. Wait 10 minutes. I know it’s tempting to skip this. Don’t. This is where the bread absorbs everything and turns soft inside.

                          Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes. The top should be lightly golden. The center should be set but still soft. Not dry. Never dry.

                          While it bakes, make the sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cream. Stir slowly and let it simmer for 5 minutes. It’ll thicken a bit. Turn off heat and stir in vanilla.

                          When the bread pudding comes out, let it sit 5 minutes. Then pour the warm sauce on top. As much as you want. No rules here.

                          Variations you can try (if you feel like it)

                          • Add raisins or chopped dates for a classic touch
                          • Walnuts or pecans for crunch
                          • Use almond or oat milk for dairy-free
                          • Reduce sugar slightly if you like it less sweet
                          • Add orange zest for a different flavor (sounds odd, but it works)

                          This recipe doesn’t fight back when you change things.

                          Health stuff — keeping it honest

                          This isn’t a “healthy dessert.” Let’s be clear.

                          But it does have:

                          • Protein from eggs
                          • Calcium from milk
                          • No packaged junk if homemade

                          Enjoy it. That’s the benefit.

                          Rough nutrition idea

                          Expect moderate calories, carbs from bread and sugar, fats from butter and cream, and some protein. It’s dessert. Treat it like one.

                          How I like to eat it

                          Warm. Always warm.

                          Sometimes plain. Sometimes with vanilla ice cream melting into it. Sometimes late at night, standing in the kitchen, eating quietly. That’s honestly the best way.

                          Storing leftovers Golden Corral bread pudding recipe(if there are any)

                          • Keep in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days
                          • Reheat with a splash of milk so it stays soft
                          • Warm the sauce separately on low heat

                          Freezing? I don’t recommend it. Texture changes too much.

                          FAQs

                          1. Can I make this ahead of time?

                          Yes. Assemble it, cover, refrigerate overnight, bake when needed.

                          2. Why use day-old bread?

                          It soaks better and doesn’t turn mushy.

                          3. Can I skip the sauce?

                          You can… but you really shouldn’t.

                          4. Why is my bread pudding dry?

                          Probably baked too long or not enough liquid.

                          5. Can I reduce sugar?

                          Yes, just don’t remove it fully.

                          6. Does this taste like Golden Corral bread pudding recipe?

                          Very close — soft, sweet, comforting.

                          Final words — then I’ll let you cook

                          This Golden Corral bread pudding recipe isn’t about perfection. It’s about slowing down. Using what you have. Making something warm that feels familiar

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