This vanilla bread pudding sauce is a condensed milk sauce that is so delicious and the perfect easy bread pudding sauce. It takes only 5 minutes to make and just a few items to make this wonderfully creamy and delicious vanilla dessert sauce. It is amazing on other desserts like, cheesecake, pancakes, as a dip or anything else that goes well with a dessert sauce.

About this simple bread pudding sauce
I have gotten so much great feedback about this easy vanilla sauce for bread pudding that came from my Bread Pudding recipe that I decided to make a post for it on its own. It is really that good!
This easy vanilla sauce for bread pudding is actually a condensed milk sauce and it is so decadent and delicious.
There are only four ingredients that you will need to make this simple vanilla sauce. You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry.
This vanilla bread pudding sauce has no eggs or heavy cream and none of the hassle that comes with making a traditional bread pudding sauce.
The bread pudding recipe that this condensed milk sauce comes from is just as easy as this simple dessert sauce. If you love bread pudding like I do, it is definitely worth checking out! It uses stale Italian bread and transforms it into a delicious and decadent bread pudding!
This vanilla sauce is great to use when you need a delicious dessert sauce for something that you are going to bake or when you need a quick dessert sauce that maybe you hadn't planned for but decided last minute you wanted one.
This easy vanilla sauce is not only fantastic on bread pudding, but it is also great on cheesecake, waffles, pancakes or used as a dip for fruit.
I can't tell you how many times I have pulled out the can of condensed milk from my pantry last minute to whip up this vanilla sauce for my desserts 🙂
Ingredients
Making this vanilla bread pudding sauce is so easy thanks to the fact that we are starting out with condensed milk. Here is what you will need (full recipe below):
- Sweetened condensed milk. This easy vanilla sauce is a condensed milk sauce so this is the main ingredient in this recipe. Trust me, it is GOOD!
- Vanilla extract. This is what makes it a vanilla sauce and extra special.
- Butter. You will only need a very little bit of this. The butter adds a bit of sheen and flavor. I prefer unsalted butter for this recipe. If you like a bit of salt in your sweets, go ahead and add a little.
- Milk. The milk in this easy sauce helps to thin the sauce out a bit so you can pour it over your bread pudding or any dessert or breakfast that you are making this for.
I told you this one is easy! The steps to making this vanilla condensed milk bread pudding sauce for bread pudding are as easy as adding the condensed milk, butter, vanilla, and milk into a small saucepan, gently heating them together and then pouring it over your favorite dessert.
This sauce actually has the taste of a more complex brown sugar bread pudding sauce but it is mainly condensed milk.
Anyone can make this vanilla sauce. It may be simple but this vanilla sauce will taste like it took a lot of time to make because it is that good.
How to make vanilla bread pudding sauce
Here are the steps to make this really simple vanilla sauce for bread pudding:
- Pour into a saucepan: Open a can of condensed milk and pour it into a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Heat: Add your butter and stir until it is melted.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Add your vanilla extract and milk and mix well for one minute.
- Serve: Remove from the heat and serve this vanilla sauce warm over bread pudding or your favorite dessert.
The steps to make this vanilla sauce are all about stirring. No special skills are needed here.
This is why it is one of my favorite sauces. That and it tastes amazing.
Condensed milk is really delicious all on its own and in my opinion needs no additions to be a delicious stand-alone sauce. I have been known to just eat it with a spoon 🙂
The additional bread pudding sauce ingredients that you use merely add to the amazing condensed milk flavor.
Also, the condensed milk helps create a smoother and more pourable texture. This is what you want in a bread pudding sauce.
For me, the addition of the butter and milk also mimics traditional vanilla sauces that take more time to make. I like things that are easy and not complicated.
You could choose to make a more involved vanilla sauce for bread pudding but why if you can make something that is so easy like this vanilla sauce 🙂
How to make this vanilla sauce dairy-free
If you are looking to make this easy vanilla sauce dairy-free, you can absolutely substitute the condensed milk and milk in this recipe for non-dairy items. A favorite of mine (and I am not on a dairy-free diet) is coconut condensed milk.
Many readers have let me know they have made this bread pudding sauce recipe this way and really loved it. It is really simple and easily adaptable.
You may want to try this version even if you are not on a special dairy-free diet.
This easy dessert sauce is quick to make and so absolutely decadent and delicious. You can top just about any dessert with this condensed milk sauce from bread puddings to cinnamon rolls or ice cream.
It is so good that I have noticed many readers look for more ways to use this bread pudding sauce because they love it so much.
What our readers are saying about this easy vanilla sauce
I love this! Had left over pound cake, made bread pudding and poured this over! SO GOOD!
Loved it!!
Dina from Pinterest
I made this, it was easy and delicious!
Leomia from Pinterest
More Bread Pudding Flavors
If you want to add your own flavor twist to this condensed milk bread pudding sauce it is as simple as adding them to the recipe. Here are some suggestions from readers:
- For Bourbon Sauce: Whisk condensed milk and bourbon for a delicious condensed milk sauce. To do this just replace the milk in the recipe with bourbon (see notes below in the recipe).
- Anise sauce: You can add â…› teaspoon of anise extract to make anise condensed milk sauce.
- Almond sauce: Add â…› teaspoon of almond extract for almond-flavored condensed milk sauce.
- Cinnamon sauce: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon for a cinnamon condensed milk sauce.
This vanilla condensed milk sauce is perfect on its own or you can customize this easy vanilla dessert sauce if you choose. For the bourbon bread pudding sauce, I have included more details on how to make this in the recipe below.
FAQS for this condensed milk bread pudding sauce
How to store condensed milk sauce
To store any extra sauce you have, just place it in a container or bowl with a lid once it has cooled and place it in your refrigerator for up to 1 week. I don't think most people have any leftovers after they first make it.
But, if you happen to have any leftover bread pudding sauce, this is how you would store it!
How to re-heat this vanilla bread pudding sauce
To reheat your vanilla bread pudding sauce, simply pour it into a medium saucepan over low heat and gently reheat the sauce until it is very warm. Remove immediately and serve.
This condensed milk sauce should be served warm so if you have leftover sauce and want to use it the day after you make it, make sure to reheat it.
Serving Ideas
This vanilla sauce for bread pudding is not just a fantastic bread pudding sauce but it goes great with many other desserts and sweets. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this easy vanilla sauce:
- Pour it over pancakes or French toast! We love adding it to our ricotta pancakes and brioche French toast for a decadent sweet sauce.
- In the Fall, we love to serve this vanilla sauce drizzled over apple dumplings , easy Italian apple cake and our apple galette.
- Add it to ice cream. Our favorite are adding to vanilla ice cream and eggnog flavored ice cream
- Serve it alongside peach cobbler or any cobbler depending on the season.
- Or just serve it as a sweet dip.
- Drizzle it over classic Philadelphia cheesecake for a decadent treat.
There are so many ways to use this delicious and easy vanilla bread pudding sauce. I think this is the best sauce for bread pudding and I can't imagine going back to traditional recipes.
If you love really condensed milk then these other condensed milk recipes are for you:
- Italian Bread Pudding is a really easy bread pudding recipe that tastes even better with this condensed milk sauce poured over top. This recipe makes individual bread puddings so there is less work scooping out servings when it is time to eat!
- This baked french toast casserole is also made with condensed milk and is perfect as a dessert or as a special breakfast.
- Key Lime Tart
- Easy Lemon Bars
Once you make this simple vanilla sauce and see how easy and delicious this is you will be making this on repeat. It is that addictive and that amazing!
Faqs
No, they are different. Condensed milk is sweetened and reduced to a thick consistency. Condensed milk is very sweet.
Evaporated milk is also a reduced milk meaning much of the water is evaporated out but it is unsweetened.
You could use condensed milk as is or add a few ingredients to make it into a delicious dessert sauce.
You certainly can! Heating condensed milk will thin it a bit and make for a great pourable sauce for desserts.
Freezing this type of sauce is not the best idea since the sauce can separate when frozen.
The best time to put sauce on bread pudding is right before serving.
Absolutely. This easy sauce is the perfect recipe for just that.
More Easy Dessert Ideas:
If you love this vanilla condensed milk bread pudding sauce, you may also like these:
Vanilla Sauce for Bread Pudding (Condensed Milk Sauce)
Tried the Recipe? We Would Love To Hear From You In The Comments Below!
Equipment
- medium sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoon milk to lightly thin it out
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of butter to add shine and flavor
Instructions
- Add all of your ingredients into a medium sauce pan over medium heat1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoon milk, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of butter
- Mix well and heat until it all comes together and it starts to look silky and smooth
- Remove from heat and use immediately
Video
Notes
Cook the bourbon in the sauce for a few minutes on a very gentle simmer to reduce the alcohol a bit.
Nutrition
Nutrition Values are estimates only.
See full nutrition disclaimer here
Nancy says
This sauce was so lovely. It had the most wonderful creamy texture drizzled over our bread pudding and it was so easy to make. It tasted amazing too! I will definitely be making this again and sharing the recipe with others 🙂
Melissa says
I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Brianne says
This was a really nice recipe! I actually doubled the recipe since we had a very large bread pudding and it was all everyone could talk about:) very tasty
Melissa says
Love hearing that and I'm so glad everyone loved it 🙂
Maurie says
I needed a sauce for my bread pudding and decided to try this recipe and it was delicious. Very easy to make and everyone enjoyed it. It really made the bread pudding taste so good!
Melissa says
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it!
Mika says
The perfect bread pudding sauce and everyone LOVED it!
Melissa says
So glad to hear that!
Barbara Burns says
Can I keep this warm in a "warm" crockpot or will it caramelize
Melissa says
Hi Barbara. I have not tried that. I think it should be fine.
Sophia says
This was so delicious!
Terry G says
Followed the recipe exactly and it was amazing. Perfect texture and so delicious!
Melissa says
So glad to hear that 🙂
Dana K says
Excellent and such a brilliant idea! The whole family loved this! Thank you for this gem
Melissa says
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Megan says
Loved it! Really delicious and easy to make
Bailey says
So easy and delicious and it took just minutes to make! Using this for all my desserts now
Melissa says
Love hearing that 🙂
Dan says
This was absolutely delicious and so easy to make.
Melissa says
So glad to hear that!
Jane says
The best dessert sauce EVER!!
Melissa says
Love hearing that!
Jim L says
This recipe was easy, tasty and exactly what I needed for our dessert. I love how few ingredients it needed too!
Melissa says
Love hearing that 🙂
Sammy says
This is really the best bread pudding sauce! So easy and so good:)
Melissa says
Love hearing that! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Livie says
Perfect! I'm not a baker and have been asked to make this over and over so after mulling through many recipes this was the easiest and I had everything on hand! Thank you!
Melissa says
I'm so glad to hear that Livie 🙂
James says
This sauce was perfect for our dessert
Melissa says
So glad to hear that!
Liza says
This made the best sauce for our bread pudding! I will be using this on many desserts:)
Melissa says
So glad to hear that!
Sarah R says
This is my new favorite dessert sauce! It is so delicious and perfect on the bread pudding we made.
Melissa says
I am so glad to hear that 🙂
Cheryl L says
Absolutely delicious bread pudding sauce! I love how easy it was with condensed milk. Great recipe
Melissa says
Hi Cheryl.I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Molly says
Omg this bread pudding sauce is so good! So easy and so delicious.
Thank you for this recipe!
Melissa says
Hi Molly. I am so you enjoyed it 🙂
Hannah says
This bread pudding sauce was so good. Just mixed the ingredients together over the stove and done! So easy!
Melissa says
I am so glad you enjoyed it Hannah 🙂
Liz says
Easy, quick and delicious! Added it to my bread pudding and made it so much better. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Melissa says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Thomas R says
I don’t usually leave reviews but this sauce was so amazing! I made this bread pudding sauce to go along with bread pudding I made because I wanted something easy and this was perfect! It was not only easy but so delicious.
Thank you for thinking of this.
I’ll be looking for more ways to use it 🙂
Melissa says
Hi Thomas. I am so glad you enjoyed this bread pudding sauce!
Tara says
Was amazing!
Melissa says
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Vicky says
This sauce was a crowd pleaser! Served it at a brunch I hosted and everyone enjoyed it.
Thank you for sharing this
Melissa says
Hi Vicky. You are welcome 🙂 I am glad everyone enjoyed it!
Gemma says
I could drink this sauce! It’s so good
Melissa says
I am so glad you enjoyed it Gemma 🙂
Bill says
This sauce was excellent
Melissa says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sophie says
Absolutely delicious! I’ll be making this often
Melissa says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Mary says
I love this sauce! I’ve made it twice now and it is so easy and so delicious!
Melissa says
Hi Mary. Thanks for sharing and I'm so glad you are enjoying it 🙂
Jen says
This bread pudding sauce was so delicious.
Melissa says
I am so happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Annie says
I will be making often! Such a great recipe
Melissa says
So happy to hear that!
Michelle says
This was so good 🙂
Melissa says
I am glad you enjoyed it:)
Dora says
Made this for guests and everyone asked for the recipe. I will be sharing this with everyone. Thank you
Melissa says
I am glad to hear that 🙂
Vicki says
This was so easy and so tasty. A great recipe for dessert sauce
Melissa says
Thanks for sharing!
Leah says
So delicious!
Melissa says
I am so glad you enjoyed it Leah 🙂
RJ says
This is a great recipe. We made it yesterday to go with bread pudding and it was so simple and really delicious
Melissa says
I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Linda says
This recipe was perfect! I looked through other bread pudding sauce recipes with condensed milk and they had way too much butter. This sauce was just the right amount and so easy.
Melissa says
Hi Linda. I am so glad to hear that 🙂
Melanie says
Everyone really enjoyed it! Really delicious
Melissa says
I am so glad to hear that!
Fran says
WOW! Seriously the most delicious sauce for anything 🙂
Melissa says
Thank you 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Lila says
Loved it!
Melissa says
I am so glad!
Frik says
This is the most delicious and brilliant sauce! We licked our bowls clean
Melissa says
Love hearing that! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kevin says
This sauce was fantastic! I added a little bourbon for a bourbon sauce and it was the way to go
Melissa says
That sounds delicious!
Amanda says
This condensed milk sauce was perfect over our bread pudding. really easy too!Now I have to think of more ways to use it so I can make it again lol
Sarah says
This condensed milk sauce was amazing! We made it for bread pudding and now I am going to try it on some other desserts 🙂 Thanks so much for this delicious and easy recipe
Melissa says
I am so glad to hear that 🙂
Val says
This was the best vanilla sauce recipe! I made another one that was too rich and called for too much butter but this was absolutely perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Melissa says
Hi Val. I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Jill says
This condensed milk sauce was so good! Used it on pancakes for a special breakfast 🙂
joyce says
OMG this was so good.