A pan of this easy Apple Bread Pudding is a delicious dessert to enjoy any time of year.  This warm dessert casserole recipe has apples, spices, and raisins baked into the sweet bread pudding. Add caramel drizzles and ice cream to make it a decadent treat!

I’m not going to lie.  I love a good slice of warm bread pudding topped with drizzles of caramel and ice cream.  Bread pudding is such a delicious comfort food dessert that is totally underrated and unappreciated in the dessert world. 

Over the years bread pudding has been known for being a way to use up day old or stale bread. But bread pudding isn’t just about a way to use up those loaves of bread.

It’s also about the sweet custard that the bread is cooked in, and the fruit and nuts that are added to the baked pudding.

And let’s not forget about the healthy dose of cinnamon sugar on top that gives those top pieces of bread a great crispy texture that contrasts with the soft pieces underneath. It’s truly a decadent dessert!

A few years ago my husband and I were in St. Louis for a convention. Since we love to try new restaurants, we headed down to the Irish pub that was in our hotel for dinner one night.

Of course, the first thing I always do is check out the dessert menu. They had a harvest bread pudding that I just had to try.  This bread pudding had apples, walnuts, and raisins baked into it.  And they served it in the cutest little cast iron skillet.  It was definitely something I couldn’t wait to make at home.

Now you may be wondering how this bread pudding recipe with raisins is different from French toast casserole.  Honestly, they are basically the same thing.  In my opinion, the difference is in the toppings and what time of day you serve it. See how similar this French Toast Bake looks.

What is Bread Pudding?

Bread pudding is a casserole that is made up of cubes of day old bread soaked in an egg custard sauce.  The mixture can also have fruit and nuts mixed into it.

A drizzle of warm sauce is usually served on top of the bread pudding.  

• Try maple syrup for a great breakfast or brunch option.
• Caramel topping along with ice cream or Homemade Whipped Cream makes this a decadent fall dessert.

What kind of bread is best for making Bread Pudding?

You can use any type of bread, rolls, bagels, biscuits, or donuts in this easy bread pudding recipe with apples. The key is to let them sit out uncovered for a few hours or overnight. Using donuts may result in a heavier casserole.

I like to use a firmer, sweeter bread such as a brioche or challah bread when making apple cinnamon bread pudding. French bread is also a good option.

How to make Apple Bread Pudding:

1. Cut your bread into cubes and let it sit out uncovered for a few hours or overnight.
2. Combine the bread, diced apples, walnuts, and raisins in a large bowl.
3. Whisk together the eggs, applesauce, milk, sugar, and spices in a bowl.  
4. Pour the eggs over the bread and fruit mixture and let it soak for 15 minutes.
5. Spoon the mixture into a greased pan and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.
6. Serve warm with caramel and vanilla ice cream.

FYI: Check out my tutorial on How to Make Cinnamon Sugar if you do not want to buy an extra ingredient.

Recipe Questions:

What apples are best for making bread pudding?

Any variety of apple will work when you make this bread pudding recipe.

I prefer to use Gala apples in all my baked goods and Apple Pie Filling recipe. They are just sweet enough and hold up well when baked.

You could also use Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady if you prefer the taste of those apples instead.

Can bread pudding be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can make and bake this bread pudding 1-2 days ahead of time.  Let it cool completely before covering it and refrigerating until needed.  Remove the pan from the fridge 30 minutes before reheating.

Cut squares and place on a pan. Cover with foil and reheat in a 325 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.  You can also reheat slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until heated through.

How long does Apple Bread Pudding with raisins last?

This bread pudding is best if served within 1-2 day of baking. Make sure to cover it tightly and refrigerate it.

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Other apple dessert recipes you’ll love:

• Apple Snickers Dessert
• Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake
• Apple Donuts
• Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
• Apple Pie Lasagna 
• Apple Pie Cheesecake

More breakfast recipes:

• Monkey Bread Muffins
• Sour Cream Coffee Cake
• Banana Coffee Cake
• Cinnamon Roll Cake

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