Yes, you can absolutely use stale bread for making bread pudding instead of fresh bread. In fact, using stale bread is a traditional method for making bread pudding, as it helps prevent the bread from becoming too soggy during the baking process.
When bread becomes stale, it loses moisture, making it drier and firmer. This makes it ideal for soaking up the custard mixture without becoming overly mushy. Using stale bread also ensures that the bread pudding holds its shape and has a nice texture after baking.
If you don't have stale bread on hand but want to use fresh bread, you can still achieve a similar effect by lightly toasting the bread slices in the oven or toaster before making the bread pudding. This will help remove some of the moisture from the bread, mimicking the effects of using stale bread.
Whether you use stale bread or lightly toasted fresh bread, bread pudding is a delicious and comforting dessert that makes great use of leftover bread. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors and add-ins to create your perfect bread pudding recipe!