How long does bread pudding keep?

Bread pudding can keep for a surprisingly long time! Here's a breakdown:

At Room Temperature:

* Unrefrigerated: It's best to enjoy bread pudding within 2 hours of making it, especially if it has custard or cream in it. After that, the risk of bacteria growth increases.

Refrigerated:

* Covered in an airtight container: Most bread puddings can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. This is because the cold temperature slows down bacterial growth.

Frozen:

* Individually wrapped: For longer storage, you can freeze bread pudding for up to 2 months. Freezing it individually wrapped or in portion sizes makes it easier to defrost only what you need.

* To reheat frozen bread pudding: Defrost in the fridge overnight and then reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Important Notes:

* Texture: While bread pudding freezes well, its texture may become a bit soggy after thawing. To combat this, you can consider freezing it in a casserole dish with a layer of parchment paper underneath, which helps prevent it from sticking and absorbing moisture.

* Custard: If you use custard in your bread pudding, it might separate slightly when frozen. Reheating it gently in the oven or microwave can help bring it back together.

Ultimately, the best way to know how long your bread pudding will last is to check its appearance and smell. If it develops an off smell or color, it's best to discard it.