Half the Sugar Baker
This apple bread pudding is so easy to make and so delicious. It is fluffy and custardy, and perfect for chilly autumn or winter mornings. This bread pudding is made with cozy spices like cinnamon and filled with delicious apples. Best of all, this recipe is made with simple ingredients for a breakfast that is filling, easy-to-make, and super tasty.
Why I love this apple bread pudding:
This bread pudding has the perfect texture. The bread soaks up all of that custardy mixture and become so light and fluffy in the oven. The texture is in between french toast and soufflé! I also love the flavor of this bread pudding. The cinnamon and nutmeg pair perfectly with the apples for the coziest breakfast ever. This apple bread pudding is also super easy to make! Just bake up a pan and you have enough to feed a group, with very little work. Plus, the leftovers are even better the next day after being warmed up in the microwave!
What is bread pudding:
Bread pudding is a dish made with stale bread, so it’s perfect if you have a loaf that’s been sitting for too long! The bread is soaked in a milk and egg based custard, similar to french toast. Then it is baked in the oven for a super fluffy and delicious breakfast or dessert. Other than that, bread pudding can be customized to whatever you enjoy! It is commonly made with raisins, but you could also add chocolate chips, nuts, and your favorite spices.
What bread to use for this apple bread pudding:
Bread pudding is best made with fluffy enriched loaves like challah or brioche bread. You could also use a french loaf or milk bread. If you want to be even more adventurous, try making this bread pudding with leftover cinnamon raisin bread, donuts, or even cake. The most important part is that the bread is stale, so it is sturdy enough to soak up all the custard without falling apart. If you only have fresh bread on hand, you can dry it out by slicing it up and baking at 250ºF for roughly 20 minutes.
Tips for making this apple bread pudding:
- Use the right bread! See the section above for more information.
- If you are in a rush, you can pour the custard mixture over the bread and bake it immediately. But for best results, I recommend letting the bread soak in the custard mixture for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- This recipe isn’t super sweet because I like to serve bread pudding with maple syrup. For a sweeter bread pudding, increase the sugar to 1/2 cup.
- Do not over bake! For the best fluffy texture, remove the bread pudding from the oven when the edges are firm but the middle still has a little jiggle when you shake the pan.
- Precook the apples: If you are in a rush, you can add the fresh apples directly to the bread pudding and bake it immediately. But for the best results, I recommend precooking the diced apples so that they have a softer texture, almost like an apple pie filling!
Variations of this apple bread pudding:
There are so many ways to customize this apple bread pudding!
- Try making this bread pudding with leftover cinnamon raisin bread, donuts, or even cake
- Sprinkle some coarse sugar on top of the bread pudding before baking for a sparkly and crispy crust
- Instead of raisins, try adding different dried fruits like cranberries or dates
- Instead of walnuts, dry hazelnuts, almonds, or pecans
- Add chocolate chips!
Serving suggestions for this apple bread pudding:
While you can definitely enjoy this apple bread pudding by itself, you could also try adding some different toppings.
- Add some powdered sugar for a simple but beautiful dusting that reminds me of snow
- Serve with whipped cream for even more fluffy deliciousness
- Pour on a drizzle of maple syrup to add some extra sweetness
- Make a simple vanilla sauce
- Add some fresh fruit and berries
- Top with extra toasted nuts
If you liked this cozy apple bread pudding, you might also like…
- Simple Bread Pudding (with an eggnog version)
- German Streusel Apple Pie
- Healthier Apple Cider Donuts
- Pumpkin Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Cozy Apple Bread Pudding
Ingredients
For the apples:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 cups diced apples around 3 large apples
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the bread pudding:
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 1/2 cups milk warmed or room temp
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 6 cups fluffy bread like brioche or challah, cut into cubes around 1/2 a loaf
- 1/4 cup raisins optional
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Butter a 9×9 inch or 9×13 inch baking dish.
Precook the apples:
- In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Then add the dice apples, water, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cook for 4-6 minutes, or until softened but not mushy. Set aside.
Make the bread pudding custard:
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and brown sugar until well combined. Then whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Add the melted butter and whisk until everything is well combined.
- Add the cubed bread to the buttered baking dish. Spoon the precooked apples over the bread. Top with the raisins and walnuts. Then pour the custard mixture over everything. If you have time, let the bread soak for 30-60 minutes.
- Heat oven to 350ºF. Once preheated, bake the bread pudding for 30 to 45 minutes. The edges should be firm but the center should still be wobbly. Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly and serve warm. Optionally, serve with powdered sugar or maple syrup.
Yummy
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your review!!
Can this be made with canned apples instead?
Hi Judi, I’ve never tried it but I think that canned apples should definitely work in this recipe! Let me know how it goes!