Apple Bread Pudding is a delicious treat that can be enjoyed all year round. Loaded with apples, raisins, and spices, this dessert casserole is warm and comforting. Top it off with caramel drizzles and a scoop of ice cream to make it even better.
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There's something so warm and inviting about bread pudding! It's very similar to this apple French toast casserole, although the toppings differ slightly.
What is Bread Pudding?
Bread pudding is a dessert made from stale bread cubes soaked in an egg custard mixture. Classic bread pudding typically includes raisins, but other ingredients can be used. It is traditionally served with warm sauce on top.
- Try drizzling it with cinnamon maple syrup for an extra-special breakfast or brunch option.
- Caramel topping with ice cream or homemade whipped cream makes this a decadent fall dessert.
Why This Apple Bread Pudding Recipe Works
This sweet bread pudding has apples and raisins, making it a delicious treat for cozy nights or special events.
Once you try this comforting dish, you'll completely understand why we love it so much! The warm, creamy textures make it amazing for breakfast or dessert. Give it a try the next time you have extra bread on hand.
- Total comfort food. I enjoy indulging in warm bread pudding with caramel and vanilla ice cream. It is a delicious comfort food dessert that is underrated and overlooked in the dessert world.
- Use up bread. Over the years, bread pudding has been known for being a way to use up stale or day-old bread. It's the best way to give that old bread a new life!
- So flavorful and delicious. A sweet custard adds a rich creaminess to this dessert. Adding fruit and nuts to the baked pudding takes it to the next level.
- Delicious crispy topping. The cinnamon sugar baked on top gives the dessert a crispy texture that contrasts with the soft bread pieces underneath.
Key Ingredients
This recipe requires basic ingredients, plus apples and raisins for apple bread pudding.
- Bread - I like to use firmer, sweeter bread, such as brioche or challah bread when making apple cinnamon bread pudding. French bread is also a good option.
- Half and Half - This is the base of the custard. You can use whole milk or 2% instead.
- Large Eggs - This gives the custard a rich flavor and helps it set properly.
- Sugar - Brown sugar and granulated sugar sweeten the custard filling.
- Vanilla Extract - This adds flavor and an enticing aroma. Feel free to scrape a vanilla bean for extra vanilla flavor.
- Spices - Cinnamon and nutmeg give it a rich, spicy flavor
- Fruit - Apple chunks, raisins, and applesauce give it an excellent taste.
- Walnuts - These are optional, but they add a nice crunch to the dessert casserole.
- Cinnamon Sugar - This adds a sweet crunch to the top of the baked bread pudding.
How to Make Apple Bread Pudding
This apple bread pudding recipe comes together so quickly. Prepare this delicious dessert or breakfast the night before your special event!
- Cut the bread into cubes, then let it sit uncovered for a few hours or overnight.
- Combine the stale bread, diced apples, walnuts, and raisins in a large bowl.
- Whisk the eggs, applesauce, milk, sugar, and spices in a bowl, then pour it over the bread mixture. Let it soak for 15 minutes.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the top of the bread pudding with cinnamon sugar, then bake until golden brown.
Storage Recommendations
In the Refrigerator - Store the leftover bread pudding in a tightly covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Although, it is best if eaten within 1-2 days.
To Reheat - Cut squares and place on a pan. Cover with foil and reheat in a 325° oven for 15-20 minutes. You can also reheat slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until heated.
Tips and Tricks
- Dry the bread. Either leave the bread at room temperature or bake the cubed bread at a low temperature (250 degrees F) until it dries out. By doing so, the bread can soak up the custard mixture even better.
- Choose different apples. Although tart apples like Granny Smith apples or Honeycrisp apples tend to be best for baking, you can get by with most varieties.
- Use a prepared baking dish. As the pudding bakes, it will stick to the sides of the pan. For easy cleanup, spray the baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or wipe it down with butter.
Variations
- Adjust the add-ins - Instead of raisins, use dried cranberries, blueberries, or cherries.
- Caramel apple bread pudding - Serve this apple dessert with a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce.
- Make a butterscotch sauce - The buttery flavor of butterscotch takes this dessert to the next level!
- Overnight bread pudding - Instead of baking this dish immediately, chill it in the fridge overnight. This will allow the flavors to mix before baking.
FAQs
You can use any bread, rolls, bagels, biscuits, or donuts in this easy bread pudding recipe. Letting them sit uncovered for a few hours or overnight is the key. Using donuts may result in a heavier casserole.
Any variety of apples will work when you make this recipe. I like using Gala apples in all my baked goods and our 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.
It's possible to prepare and bake the bread pudding ahead of time, up to 1-2 days in advance. After baking, allow the pudding to cool completely before covering it and placing it in the refrigerator until needed.
You can prepare the bread pudding and store it in the fridge, covered in the pan. You can keep it there until you're ready to cook it. Before baking, remove the pan from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
This bread pudding is best if served within 1-2 days of baking. Make sure to cover it tightly and refrigerate it.
More Apple Desserts
- Apple Snickers Cake
- Apple Crisp Cheesecake
- Apple Cinnamon Donut Holes
- Apple Pull Apart Bread
- Apple Cheesecake Pie
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Recipe
Apple Bread Pudding
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!
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) loaf challah bread (8 cups cubes)
- 2 cups diced apples
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup raisins
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 2 ½ cups half and half
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Cut the loaf of challah bread into cubes and let sit out uncovered for a few hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Stir together the bread, apples, walnuts, and raisins in a large bowl.
- Whisk together the eggs, applesauce, half and half, sugars, vanilla, and spices in a bowl. Pour over the bread mixture and let soak for 15 minutes.
- Spoon the mixture into the greased pan and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. Bake for 40 minutes.
- Let cool slightly and then serve warm with caramel topping and vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 113Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 35mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This recipe was first shared in September 2019. It was updated and then republished in November 2023.
Pattie
Easy to make. I left out the raisin and nuts. Have someone with nut allergies. Baking now.
Beverlyguerry
Can this be made ahead and bake the next day?
Jocelyn
Yes, this would be fine to assemble and bake the next day. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate it. Take the pan out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before baking. You may also need to add a few minutes because it will be chilled.
Jill Miller
This recipe is yummy! I especially like the sprinkling of sugar over the top. I did substitute 1/4 melted butter for the applesauce and added 1/4 cup cinnamon whiskey to the custard. I left iut the raisins too. Thanks for posting!
Lonna
Absolutely mouthwatering! Can’t even come up with the right words. Easy to make and delicious. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Adelle
Just made this bread pudding with my daycare kids and it smells so good in my kitchen right now...the kids are eagerly anticipating snack time!
I added craisins as well as the raisins and I added an apple pie spice blend in lieu of the cinnamon and nutmeg and a holiday sugar spice blend I got as a gift for the top. The spice blends have cardamom in them which I love to add to all my apple recipes.
Patricia
I forgot the applesauce. Is there a substitute that would still be yummy or can I just leave it out?
Jocelyn
You should be fine to leave it out. You could also add an extra 1/4 cup of finely diced apples in place of it. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
SUSHILa nayar
Do I keep it in a hot water bath tray for baking
Also cover with foil
Please advice
Thanks
Jocelyn
This does not bake in a water bath or need to be covered with foil while baking.
Sushila Nayar
Why is milk not used for this pudding
I did not see any mention of it
Jocelyn
This particular recipe calls for half and half. It's listed in the ingredients. You can also use milk, if you prefer.
Erin
For the apple bread pudding, I'm wondering why at the bottom of the ingredients is (2) Tablespoons cinnamon sugar and in step 4. Whisk ingredients and sugars. So my question is because it's not very clear would be is the cinnamon sugar to be drizzled on top prior to baking and/or if it should be included why didn't you just up the amount on the cinnamon and sugar if it's all going in the same bowl???
Jocelyn
The cinnamon sugar is sprinkled on the very top right before baking, as directed in step 5. I hope that helps and you enjoy the bread pudding.
Bernadette Wentland
I made this recipe from Apple cider doughnuts, don't do that as they are to cake and your bread pudding will turn out dense. Use a yeast raised doughnut if your using doughnuts. Otherwise the recipe was very good.
Jan Smith
What to do when a work colleague gifts you with a cinnamon apple bread from a local orchard & there's lots of leftovers? You make the best, simple Apple Bread Pudding and bring it in to work for everyone to enjoy! Topped off with a caramel vanilla sauce and/or whipped cream and everyone is HAPPY on this Friday the 13th in 2020!
Jocelyn
What a great way to use up that apple bread! I am so happy to hear it was a hit with everyone!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Susan McCarty
It's in the process of baking now. Will let you know. Thank you.
Barb
Can I make this with Gluten Free Bread?
Jocelyn
I have not tried it this way, but I think it would work just fine using gluten free bread. Let me know how it works for you.
Wendy Hetherington
Hi! I used Gluten Free cinnamon raisin bread and added more raisins and dried cranberries. On the top I sprinkled gf Hershey’s salted caramel chipits! Oh my goodness. Serve warm with French vanilla ice cream.
Hofterzielbeek
Such an easy recipe. Can't wait to try this. Thanks for sharing. 🙂