Hamburger Bun Bread Pudding

Hamburger bun bread pudding is so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. It’s a great way to turn leftover, stale hamburger buns into a delicious and comforting dessert. The recipe resembles old-fashioned bread pudding and is a family favorite!

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What is hamburger bun bread pudding?

It’s a dessert recipe that uses old, stale hamburger buns combined with a creamy custard made of milk, eggs, sugar, and spices, all baked to golden brown perfection. The outside edges are slightly crisp, while the inside has a soft, custard-like texture. SO YUMMY!

Do you have family recipes you love? This one hamburger bun bread pudding recipe has been in my family for years. It comes from my Grandma Joanne, who ran a countryside pup and was always left with stale hamburger buns.

Instead of throwing them out, something that would have been a sacrilege, she turned them into this delicious bread pudding. She was such a kind woman and always made us crack up in laughter. And you know a recipe must be good when it comes from grandma, right?

Are you wondering what to do with leftover hamburger buns? Then this is the recipe for you! You can also try my hamburger bun garlic bread and this delicious hamburger bun French toast.

Or are you looking for more bread pudding recipes? Then you’ll love our condensed milk bread pudding and Nutella pretzel bread pudding. Be sure to serve them with this easy vanilla bread pudding sauce!

Ingredients

The best bread pudding is made with simple ingredients. As long as you got stale hamburger buns, the rest of the ingredients required will be in your pantry. Find all quantities in the printable recipe card below!

• Stale hamburger buns: To start the recipe, you’ll need some hamburger buns, hence the name. Any kind of buns will work to make this easy bread pudding. I like to use plain brioche buns or sesame seed buns. Other great options are hot dog buns, leftover dinner rolls, and stale donuts. You want the buns at least a day old, so they absorb the custard mixture.
• Milk: I prefer whole milk, but my grandma typically used half-and-half. Skim milk will also work, so use whatever you have.
• Eggs: We’ll be adding 4 beaten eggs.
• Sugar: There’s 1 cup sugar in this dish. My grandma made it with brown sugar. You could also do 1/2 cup white sugar + 1/2 cup brown sugar or all granulated sugar.
• Vanilla + spices add a warming aroma to the bread pudding. The spices are a mix of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.

How to make hamburger bun bread pudding

This twist on a classic dessert will be one of your new favorites. Hamburger buns and bread pudding is a combination you’ll love. So quick and so delicious!

Step 1: Prep pan

Grease a 9 in x 13 in / 23 cm x 33 cm baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Cube buns

Cube your day-old hamburger buns into 1-in / 2.5 cm pieces. Place the cubed hamburger buns into the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer. Set aside.

Step 3: Mix custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Pour the custard mixture over the hamburger buns in the greased baking dish, making sure all the bread pieces are coated. If you miss a piece, gently press it down into the custard to make sure it’s coated.

Step 4: Soak

Allow to sit and soak up the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes so the bread cubes can absorb the liquid before baking.

Step 5: Preheat oven

While the bread is soaking, adjust a baking rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°C / 180°C / gas mark 4.

Step 6: Bake bread pudding

Once the 15 minutes are up, place the bread pudding in the oven and bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until the top looks puffed up and golden-brown.

Step 7: Serve

Remove the hamburger bun bread pudding from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm with caramel sauce and whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

How do you know when hamburger bun bread pudding is done?

Just with any baked dessert or bread, insert a clean knife or skewer into the center and see if it comes out clean. If it comes out mostly clean, the dish is done. But if you notice wet custard, the bread pudding needs to bake some more.

Tips for success

These are a few of my favorite tips to make perfect bread pudding with rolls every time. If your family is anything like mine, you’ve got to make sure to snag a portion for yourself before the dish is cleaned out!

• Toast fresh hamburger buns. If your hamburger buns are still fresh and not dried out, cube them into smaller pieces and arrange them on a lined baking sheet (tray). Pop in a 300°F / 150°C / gas mark 2 oven and bake for about 10 minutes. You don’t want to toast them completely, just dry out most of the moisture.
• Lightly beat the eggs before mixing them into the other wet ingredients. This is optional but helps to ensure the eggs are thoroughly combined.
• Let the buns soak for about 15 minutes as your oven is preheating. This will ensure that the buns really soak up the milk-egg mixture.

Serving suggestions

What to serve with dinner roll bread pudding? If you’re looking for some tasty ideas to serve with your easy bread pudding, you might consider:

• Powdered sugar
• Dessert sauce like vanilla sauce, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or bourbon sauce
• Whipped cream
• Ice cream
• Fresh fruit and compote
• Candied nuts, chopped pecans, and other nuts
• Raisins and dried fruit

FAQ’s

What are day-old hamburger buns?

Well, they’re essentially stale buns. Not completely dried out, but buns that just wouldn’t be your favorite to use for hamburgers. The reason you want day-old stale buns is that they soak up the custard better without falling apart and result in a gooey, custardy pudding.

Can I prepare this recipe the night before?

Of course! I Love make-ahead meals, especially for entertaining and busy holidays. So, if you want to make this a day in advance, feel free to do so. You can either mix everything together and let the bread soak overnight in the fridge. Or bake it, let it cool, and then refrigerate the baked bread pudding.

Do you eat bread pudding warm or cold?

You can eat bread pudding warm or cold. See the reheating instructions below to warm it after refrigerating/freezing.

Storage instructions

How to store hamburger bun bread puddingow top

You want to refrigerate leftover bread pudding. After cooling completely, wrap the baking dish tightly and store it in the fridge. Enjoy within 4 days.

Can you freeze hamburger bun bread pudding?

Absolutely! Slice your bread pudding with hamburger buns into individual servings and wrap each piece tightly. Pace them in a large freezer bag or freezer-safe storage container. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply place it in the fridge overnight.

How to reheat it

• Whole bread pudding: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place in a 300°F / 150°C / gas mark 2 oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until warmed through.
• Individual slices: For single servings, I prefer to microwave them in 20-second increments until they’re heated through.