Tres Leches Bread Pudding Recipe

If you’re a fan of comfort food and crave desserts that are both luscious and simple to make, prepare yourself for pure bliss: Tres Leches Bread Pudding brings together the dreamy world of tres leches cake and the irresistible charm of classic bread pudding. Imagine plush cubes of buttery brioche soaking up a luxurious bath of three milks, then nestled in the oven until golden, custardy, and gentle as a hug. Finished with a tumble of chocolate chips and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, every bite is as swoon-worthy as it sounds!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s start with the magic-makers that turn a handful of pantry staples into Tres Leches Bread Pudding. Each ingredient is chosen for its ability to add richness, depth, or that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. Here’s what you’ll need (plus a few pro tips!):

• Brioche: Soft, buttery, and slightly sweet, brioche is perfect for soaking up the milk mixture without falling apart.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds creaminess and a generous dose of sweetness that’s signature to tres leches.
• Evaporated Milk: Brings a silky richness without making the pudding too heavy.
• Whole Milk: Balances the flavors and lightens the custard for that classic pudding feel.
• Eggs: The backbone of the custard, eggs help everything set to the perfect creamy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the sweetness and brings warmth to the dish.
• Cinnamon (optional): Just a hint gives a cozy aroma—skip it if you prefer pure vanilla vibes.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: A delightful chocolatey surprise in every bite, melting lusciously into the pudding.
• Extra Sweetened Condensed Milk, for drizzling: Trust me, don’t hold back!

How to Make Tres Leches Bread Pudding

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures your Tres Leches Bread Pudding doesn’t stick and gets a golden, irresistible crust around the edges. You don’t want to lose any of that custardy goodness, so get into those corners!

Step 2: Whisk Up That Tres Leches Mixture

Grab a large bowl, and whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk with the eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Take a moment to sniff the vanilla as it hits the bowl—it already smells dreamy! This rich custard is what gives the bread pudding its signature silky texture.

Step 3: Soak the Brioche

Add the brioche cubes straight into the milk mixture. Gently fold everything together, making sure every cube gets coated and starts soaking up the flavors. Give it about 10 minutes—this step is truly where the magic happens, as the bread transforms into the soft heart of the pudding.

Step 4: Layer and Top with Chocolate Chips

Once the soaking is done, pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly, and then scatter those semi-sweet chocolate chips all over the top. They’ll melt slightly as the pudding bakes, adding little ribbons of chocolatey delight throughout.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide your dish into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the pudding feels set when gently jiggled and the top has turned a lovely golden brown. Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible—resist the urge to dive in right away!

Step 6: Drizzle and Serve

Once the Tres Leches Bread Pudding has cooled just a bit, finish it off with a generous drizzle of extra sweetened condensed milk. This final touch gives that classic tres leches glow and takes the decadence to the next level!

How to Serve Tres Leches Bread Pudding

Garnishes

Dress up your pudding with a handful of fun toppings! Fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, a few extra chocolate chips, or even a scattering of toasted coconut flakes bring color and extra layers of flavor. If you’re feeling extra fancy, a dollop of whipped cream makes every serving feel like a celebration.

Side Dishes

While this dessert shines bright all on its own, it pairs charmingly with a cup of rich coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The subtle bitterness of coffee or the cool creaminess of the ice cream balances the sweet intensity of your Tres Leches Bread Pudding.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, try cutting the pudding into neat squares and serving it in cupcake liners for easy, portable bites, or layer individual portions into mason jars for a playful twist. You can also set up a dessert bar with an array of toppings so guests can personalize their own slice of bread pudding bliss!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Tres Leches Bread Pudding should be covered tightly and refrigerated. It will keep beautifully for up to three days, and the flavors actually deepen as it sits, making the next-day treat even more tempting!

Freezing

If you want to freeze some for later, wrap portions well in foil and pop them into a freezer bag or airtight container. The bread pudding can be frozen for up to two months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm slices in the microwave for a minute or two, or cover with foil and bake in a low oven until heated through. Add an extra drizzle of sweetened condensed milk just before serving to restore maximum creaminess!

FAQs

Can I use a different bread besides brioche?

Absolutely! While brioche adds a rich, buttery texture, challah or croissants (or even French bread in a pinch) work beautifully for Tres Leches Bread Pudding. Just be sure the bread is slightly stale so it soaks up the custard without getting mushy.

What if I want to make this dairy-free?

You can substitute the three milks with high-quality, full-fat coconut milk, almond milk, and a plant-based condensed milk. The result won’t taste quite like classic Tres Leches Bread Pudding, but it’ll still be delicious and creamy!

Can I add fruit or other mix-ins?

Yes, and it’s a fantastic idea! Try folding in a handful of berries or diced mango, or swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate or caramel chips to play with flavor and texture in your Tres Leches Bread Pudding.

How do I know when the bread pudding is done baking?

The custard should be just set—give the dish a gentle wiggle and make sure it no longer sloshes in the center. A butter knife inserted into the middle should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs attached.

Do I serve Tres Leches Bread Pudding hot or cold?

It’s all about your preference! Fresh from the oven, it’s warm, melty, and utterly cozy. If you chill it overnight, it becomes denser and the flavors marry even more. Both ways are delicious, so try it both and see which you love best!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about whipping up a pan of Tres Leches Bread Pudding—every spoonful is comfort, celebration, and pure indulgence rolled into one. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon and share it with everyone who could use a little extra sweetness in their day!

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