Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding Recipe

Name: Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 16- ounce brioche bread (cut into 1-inch cubes); 4 large eggs; 4 cups whole milk (cold); 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted); 1 lemon (juiced (about ¼ cup)); 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries

Posts may contain affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a commission if you use a link provided.

Jump to Recipe

Lemon blueberry bread pudding is a summery twist on classic old-fashioned dessert. Made with freshly squeezed lemon juice and ripe, juicy blueberries, this custardy and comforting dessert strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart.

If you’re as big a fan of the lemon blueberry flavor combo as I am, then this lemon blueberry bread pudding is sure to be right up your alley.

For more lemon blueberry treats be sure to give these lemon blueberry muffins and this lemon blueberry dump cake recipe a try as well. They are truly a perfect way to start the day.

Lemon blueberry bread pudding in an square baking dish with wooden spoon sticking out of the corner.

The cozy and comforting dessert is made with brioche bread bathed a lemon-flavored egg custard and sprinkled with fresh blueberries.

Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even eat it as a chilled breakfast treat next to a piping hot mug of fresh coffee.

Blueberry lemon bread pudding scooped onto a plate.

One of the best parts about this blueberry lemon bread pudding recipe is how quick and easy it is to prepare! No one will ever guess that you whipped up such an elegant and elevated dessert in a single mixing bowl in just a few minutes.

The complex flavors and variety of textures in this blueberry lemon bread pudding truly take it to the next level. Trust me, one bite of this bread pudding and everyone will be begging you for the recipe!

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Brioche Bread—A golden brown, braided French bread enriched with extra butter and eggs. If you can’t find brioche, you can use Hawaiian bread, Challah, croissants, or a thickly sliced white bread instead. Day-old or slighty stale bread works best.
Whole Milk—Acts as a custardy base that will soak into the brioche, giving it tons of richness and flavor.
Eggs—Give your bread pudding a delightfully spongy texture.
Butter—Because honestly, every good baked dessert has at least a little bit of butter.
Sugar—Balances out the tartness of the lemon juice and blueberries.
Lemon Juice—Freshly squeezed is always best but bottled will also work in a pinch.
Blueberries—Fresh or frozen will give this bread pudding tons of fruity flavor and a fun pop of color.
Vanilla—Just a splash helps to round out the other tart and sweet flavors in this dessert.

Equipment You’ll Need

You won’t need any special pieces of kitchen equipment for this classic dessert. Just be sure to have a few basics on hand like a large mixing bowl, a whisk, an 8” or 9″ baking dish, and a rubber spatula.

How to Make Lemon Bread Pudding with Blueberries

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Dice the brioche into 1” cubes and layer them across the bottom of an 8×8” baking dish.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Step 3: Pour the egg mixture over the brioche, pressing down with a spatula to make sure that each piece of bread is thoroughly coated.

Step 4: Sprinkle the blueberries over the top and use your spatula to gently distribute them throughout the mixture. Allow it to sit for 15-20 mins to let the bread soak up the custard.

Unbaked lemon blueberry bread pudding in square casserole dish.

Step 5: Bake until the edges are fully set, but the center is still moist.

Homemade bread pudding with blueberries.

Step 6: Allow the bread pudding to sit for 10 minute before serving. Enjoy!

Storing and Reheating

To Refrigerate: Place any leftover bread pudding into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Slice any remaining bread pudding and place it into a ziplock bag or airtight container. You can keep the pudding in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Allow any frozen bread pudding to thaw in the fridge overnight. Transfer to an oven-safe dish, add a bit of milk, and cover the top of the dish with tin foil. Pop the whole thing into a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Note: Once frozen and reheated, the texture of your bread pudding might change slightly; however, the flavor should remain the same.

Wooden serving spoon lifting a spoonful of bread pudding out of the dish.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Slightly stale bread is ideal for making bread pudding (and French toast casserole too) as it absorbs more of the custard mixture. However, if you don’t have any day-old or two-day-old bread I recommend that you heat your fresh bread in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 250° F. This helps to dry it out and mimic stale bread.
If using frozen blueberries, there’s no need to thaw them before adding them to your bread and custard mixture. They will soften and come up to temperature in the oven.
Like your desserts extra lemony? Try adding some lemon zest or lemon extract to your custard mixture.
Be careful not to overbake—the brioche bread can easily dry out and turn crumbly.

Lemon Blueberry Bread pudding with wooden serving spoon resting in dish after several servings were removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bread pudding supposed to be soggy?

No; bread pudding should not be too soggy. I find that the best bread puddings are similar in texture to French toast—moist on the inside and a little crispy on the outside.

Do you eat bread pudding warm or cold?

Blueberry lemon bread pudding can be enjoyed warm or cold! I personally like serving this dessert warm with a powdered sugar glaze, whipped cream, or scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

How can I tell if bread pudding is done baking?

A thermometer inserted into the center of the dish will read at least 160°F. If you don’t have a food-safe thermometer, you can try gently jiggling the pan back and forth. If the edges of the bread pudding are set, it’s ready to eat!

More Lemon and Blueberry Desserts