Classic Vanilla Sauce Recipe | Bread Pudding Sauce (2024)

Published: Jan 13, 2019 · Modified: Feb 23, 2021 by Jamie · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 56 Comments

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This is a luscious, silky, smooth vanilla sauce that’s so versatile and easy to make. Makes an amazing bread pudding sauce! Pair this with any dessert!

This custard vanilla sauce has a perfect consistency, not too thick, not too thin. Deliciously smooth and just the right amount of sweetness. It's fantastic as a bread pudding sauce, tastes incredible drizzled over fresh fruit, or paired with any baked good.

This is also known as creme anglaise, vanilla custard sauce, bread pudding sauce, or vanilla cream sauce. You can see there are a lot of uses for this versatile sauce.

Try it with this recipe forCustard Bread Pudding. The bread pudding sauce adds a silky, smooth layer for extra indulgence.

Classic Vanilla Sauce Recipe | Bread Pudding Sauce (2)

Or try it with this recipe forBaked Cinnamon Apples for an elegant dessert. Perfect for dinner parties!

Classic Vanilla Sauce Recipe | Bread Pudding Sauce (3)

This custard vanilla sauce is super versatile and can be made with any kind of milk. I used whole milk for a creamier, richer flavor but if you're looking for a lighter cream sauce, you can skip the half and half and make this entirely with milk. Just double the amount of milk and it will still taste amazing. You can make this with skim milk or even non-dairy milk! Whatever combination you use, it will be divine!

Custard Vanilla Sauce Tips:

When adding the hot milk mixture to the egg yolks, add in a ladle at a time in a narrow stream while whisking quickly. This is tempering the egg yolks so that they don't curdle.
Add the vanilla extract once the sauce is removed from the heat and the sauce has cooled somewhat. This ensures the vanilla flavor doesn't cook off in a hot pot.
Run the sauce through a fine sieve for a smooth, silky consistency.

Want more? Check out these other recipes!

Custard Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce
Chewy Hawaiian Butter Mochi Recipe
Bakery Swiss Roll Cake Recipe
Easy Lemon Pound Cake with Glaze
Light and Fluffy Chiffon Cake
Japanese Strawberry Shortcake

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Recipe

Easy Vanilla Sauce Recipe | Bread Pudding Sauce

This is a luscious, silky, smooth vanilla sauce that’s so versatile and easy to make. Makes an amazing bread pudding sauce! Pair this with any dessert!

5 from 496 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, French

Servings 4

☑ Ingredients

▢ ½ cup milk
▢ ½ cup half and half
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste - or vanilla extract
▢ 3 Tablespoons sugar
▢ 4 large egg yolks

Instructions

Add the milk and half and half to a pot and bring to a slight simmer. Remove from heat.
Whisk egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl. Slowly ladle all the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture while whisking quickly. Adding it too quickly will cook the egg yolks and cause the sauce to curdle.
Return to the mixture to the pot and heat over medium low until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. About 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat, add the vanilla once it cools.
Strain the sauce if desired. Serve warm or chill in the refrigerator.

✎ Recipe Notes

Makes a little over 1 cup of vanilla sauce.
To reheat, add the vanilla sauce to a small pot and reheat it on the stovetop over very low heat, while constantly stirring. Remove it from the heat once it's warmed through.
Overheating can cause the sauce to curdle so keep stirring and watch it closely.
Keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover the top surface with a layer of plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.
Avoid freezing this as it can alter the texture once thawed.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was and give it a 5 star rating! Tag @drivemehungry to show off your creations! I love seeing your photos!

*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Kevin Warren
December 23, 2022 at 7:16 am

Delicious
Reply
D
September 24, 2022 at 5:07 pm

Your vanilla sauce was so good! I served it with baked apples
Reply
Abby
September 17, 2022 at 5:00 pm

Hi Jamie!
I was looking for a delicious vanilla sauce to serve over a steamed pudding and came across your recipe.
It was such a treat! We don't have half and half here, so I subbed a little heavy cream with my milk, and it came out perfectly. The vanilla flavour was spot on!
Saving this recipe to make for Christmas 🙂
Reply
- Jamie
  September 28, 2022 at 5:21 pm
  That's so great to hear Abby! It's definitely popular during Christmas and holidays at my house!
  Reply
Georgia
August 30, 2022 at 10:47 pm

I just love to make this sauce to serve alongside so many desserts. We always have a pudding on a Sunday evening, and this sauce is my go-to - it really goes with everything. I mix it up sometimes, depending on what I am serving it with - a dash of liquor, lemon zest etc. A real winner!
Reply
- Jamie
  September 28, 2022 at 5:21 pm
  Thanks Georgia! Great idea adding liquor and zest to this vanilla sauce!
  Reply
Katie
July 05, 2022 at 6:32 am

Yum! This was perfect for a light and fruity summer dessert!
Reply
Mary O’Brien
June 27, 2022 at 4:34 pm

Loved this over bread pudding!
Reply
Heike Mackenzie
June 07, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Love this sauce over jello pudding
Reply
Audrey
February 11, 2022 at 1:23 pm

I love this vanilla sauce! So yummy
See Also
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies with Lemon Glaze Recipe
Reply
Jacqueline
December 31, 2021 at 9:08 am
This sounds amazing! What would be the best way to warm this up if I cooked it beforehand? Thanks!
Reply
- Jamie
  September 28, 2022 at 5:17 pm
  Hi Jacqueline! To reheat, add the vanilla sauce to a small pot and reheat it on the stovetop over very low heat, while constantly stirring. Remove it from the heat once it's warmed through. Be sure not to overheat it as that can cause the sauce to curdle.
  Reply
Jack
December 22, 2021 at 6:10 pm
This recipe sounds delicious! How much vanilla sauce does 4 servings make? Wondering if 8 total servings will be enough for two 8 person celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Reply
- Jamie
  December 25, 2021 at 12:01 pm
  Hi Jack! This recipe makes a little over a cup of vanilla sauce so depending on how much you need for your celebration I would double it or adjust as needed.
  Reply
Candace Henderson
November 28, 2021 at 2:20 pm

We have always had this vanilla cream sauce over gingerbread, topped with whipped cream. It's delicious!
Reply
Amy Roskelley
June 25, 2021 at 3:53 pm

Holy Yum!! this sauce is so good with the apples! LOVE IT.
Reply
- Jamie
  June 28, 2021 at 4:50 pm
  Thank you so much Amy! I'm so happy to hear that. 🙂
  Reply
Susan
May 31, 2021 at 5:30 am
How long does sauce last in refrigerator and can it be frozen
Reply
- Jamie
  September 28, 2022 at 5:06 pm
  Hi Susan, I'd keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days covered with a layer of plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. I would advise against freezing this as it will affect the texture once thawed.
  Reply
Sierra
May 09, 2021 at 10:04 am
Can I add bourbon to the vanilla sauce?
Reply
- Jamie
  May 10, 2021 at 3:06 pm
  Hi Sierra! You certainly can, just add it in at the same time as the vanilla extract. I wouldn't add more than 2 Tablespoons for the amount listed in the recipe. Hope that helps!
  Reply
  - Glyd
    April 23, 2022 at 8:08 pm
    
    What equipment/tools are needed?
    Reply
Kathy
April 11, 2021 at 1:46 pm
What can you use in place of whipping cream
Reply
- Jamie
  May 04, 2021 at 11:28 pm
  Hi Kathy! You can use half and half or whole milk.
  Reply
C & C
February 14, 2021 at 6:34 pm

True to the name - easy and delicious! Found this recipe after deciding during dinner to make custard sauce to go with desert and I’m so glad!! I only make custard once every year or so, but this is by far the easiest!!
Reply
Emmy
February 12, 2021 at 4:24 pm

We made a fruit cake the other day that was a little dry, and this sauce completely rescued it! It is utterly delicious and couldn't be easy to make. If you usually buy your sauces or custards, please don't - this is so superior!
Reply
Jo
February 01, 2021 at 11:27 am

Just made this Vanilla Sauce, and it was a huge success! My kids keep asking for more!
Reply
Sam
February 01, 2021 at 9:05 am

This sauce has the perfect texture! I can't wait to serve it over some bread pudding on Valentine's Day! My son will LOVE it. I can't wait to make it!
Reply
Sara
February 01, 2021 at 6:57 am

Such a delicious sauce for so many treats! This will be the perfect fix to my sweet tooth! Delish!
Reply

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