Apple Bread Pudding Recipe: The Ultimate Comfort Food

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Welcome, fellow dessert lovers! Get ready to fill your kitchen with the most delightful smells imaginable. There’s truly nothing quite like the cozy, inviting aroma of a freshly baked apple bread pudding wafting through your home. It instantly makes everyone feel welcome and happy, a true comfort food.

This dessert is a timeless classic, perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something warm, for big family gatherings, or simply as a special sweet treat just for you. As a chef who’s spent a lifetime experimenting with flavors, this particular apple bread pudding recipe holds a special place in my heart. It truly captures that essence of homemade warmth and brings people together around the table.

It’s more than just a dish; it’s a soul-satisfying experience. Imagine soft, custardy bread mingling with tender, perfectly spiced apples, all baked to golden perfection. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a story of comfort. You are going to love making and sharing this delightful, comforting apple bread pudding.

Table of Contents

What You’ll Need: Ingredients for Amazing Apple Bread Pudding

Alright, bakers, it’s time for the fun part: gathering our ingredients! This is the first exciting step to creating your incredible homemade apple bread pudding. Don’t worry, these are all easy-to-find items, but remember that good quality ingredients truly make all the difference in the final taste of your delightful apple bread pudding.

Here’s everything you’ll need to bake a show-stopping apple bread pudding that everyone will adore. Get ready to transform these simple items into pure dessert magic! And if you love transforming simple ingredients into amazing baked goods, you might also enjoy making a delightful lemon cranberry bread.

Bread

12 brioche rolls (or thick-cut slices of brioche bread), cut into 1-inch cubes; best if slightly stale from drying overnight. This is the foundation for our perfect bread pudding.
Optional: turbinado sugar, for topping. It adds a lovely sparkle and crunch!

Apple Pie Filling

1 3/4 lb apples of choice (~5 apples; I used a mixture of Gala and Granny Smith), diced. A mix of sweet and tart apples makes the best apple bread pudding.
4 tbsp salted butter
2 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp apple pie spice. This brings all those warm, cozy flavors together.
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water

Custard

1 cup milk of choice
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tbsp salted butter
1/4 cup + 3 tbsp granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract. Vanilla is key for a rich custard for your apple bread pudding.
1 tsp cinnamon
Optional: 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
4 eggs, at room temperature. These help create that wonderful, custardy texture.

Baking Bliss: Step-by-Step Apple Bread Pudding

Get ready to bring this amazing apple bread pudding to life! This is where the magic truly happens. Follow these friendly, easy steps, and you’ll have a perfectly baked treat in no time. Making apple bread pudding is a joy, and these instructions will guide you through every delicious stage.

Hands with pink nails holding sliced bread on a wooden board, preparing cubes for apple bread pudding.

Cooked spiced apple pie filling in a saucepan, gleaming with rich, tender apple chunks for bread pudding.

Preheat the oven and prepare the pan

First things first, let’s get that oven ready! Preheat your oven to 350F. Then, grab a 9-inch round (or an 8 or 9-inch square) baking pan.
Lightly grease the pan with cooking spray. Next, line it with a sheet of parchment paper that covers both the bottom and sides. This makes sure your delicious apple bread pudding won’t stick and comes out easily. Place this pan onto a baking sheet; then set it aside for later.

Prepare the apple pie filling

Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and melt the butter. Once it’s bubbly, add the flour and apple pie spice. Stir this well for about a minute until it smells wonderful and forms a thick paste.
Now, add the brown sugar and stir it into the butter mixture until combined. The aroma should be incredible!
Toss in your diced apples and the water. Stir to combine, then cover the saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the apples are nice and soft, stirring occasionally. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes, creating the sweet heart of our apple bread pudding.
Once the apples are tender, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully strain the delicious juices from the apple mixture into a separate bowl. Save these juices – they’ll be perfect for topping our bread pudding later!

Prepare the custard

In another saucepan, combine all the custard ingredients except for the eggs: milk, heavy cream, salted butter, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and optional apple pie spice.
Place this saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk everything together until the butter is fully melted and the sugar has dissolved. The mixture should be warm but not boiling.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Now, here’s an important step for a silky-smooth apple bread pudding custard: add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Make sure not to cook the mixture any longer on the stovetop; the custard will thicken beautifully as it bakes in the oven. Set this creamy mixture aside.

Assemble, bake, and serve

Time to build our masterpiece! Take your brioche bread and cut it into 1-inch cubes. If you enjoy working with bread recipes, check out my recipe for banana bread cinnamon rolls next!
Place about one-third of these bread cubes into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Press everything down gently to form an even layer.
Spread about one-third of your spiced apple pie filling evenly over the bread cubes. This layering technique is key for a beautiful apple bread pudding.
Repeat! Add another one-third of the bread cubes, press down, and then spread another one-third of the apple filling. Finish by topping with the last of the bread cubes and the rest of the apple pie filling.
Now, slowly pour the prepared custard all over the bread layers. Make sure every single piece of bread is well-soaked. Gently press down on the bread with Press with the back of a spoon, making sure no dry areas remain. If you like, sprinkle the top with turbinado sugar for a lovely crunch on your finished apple bread pudding.
Place the baking pan (still on its baking sheet) into your preheated 350F oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Your apple bread pudding is ready when the top is golden brown and looks set, but still has a slight wobble when you gently shake the pan.
Remove the apple bread pudding from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes. This helps it firm up a bit before you remove it from the pan.
Serve this warm, delightful apple bread pudding with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of those reserved apple juices. It’s truly heavenly! Enjoy every comforting bite! For another fruit-filled bread delight, try my recipe for blueberry banana bread.

Apple bread pudding with generously melted ice cream and sweet caramel drizzle, a truly indulgent treat.

Chef’s Secrets for Perfect Apple Bread Pudding

Want to take your apple bread pudding from great to absolutely unforgettable? I’ve got a few personal chef’s secrets and baking tips that will ensure your delicious apple bread pudding turns out perfectly every single time. These little tricks can make all the difference, creating a truly amazing dessert experience.

Stale Bread is Your Best Friend: Don’t reach for fresh bread for your apple bread pudding! Using brioche that’s a day or two old, or even lightly toasting fresh bread cubes, helps them soak up more of that rich custard. This leads to a much richer, more flavorful, and incredibly moist bread pudding.
Don’t Overcook the Apples: When preparing your apple filling, aim for apples that are tender, but not completely mushy. Remember, they will continue to cook and soften in the oven. A slight al dente texture before baking is ideal for a lovely bite in your finished apple bread pudding.
Tempering Eggs is Key: When you’re adding the eggs to your warm custard base, always whisk them in one at a time, and do this off the heat. This simple step prevents the eggs from scrambling, ensuring your custard remains silky smooth for the ultimate creamy apple bread pudding texture.
Press Gently for Even Soaking: After pouring the custard over the bread and apples, gently press down on the bread cubes with the back of a spoon. This ensures every single piece gets a good soak, preventing any dry spots in your mouth-watering apple bread pudding.
Turbinado Sugar for Sparkle: That sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top isn’t just for looks, though it does make your apple bread pudding beautiful. It creates a wonderfully crunchy, caramelized crust that adds an amazing textural contrast and extra sweetness to every bite.

Delicious Variations for Your Apple Bread Pudding

The beauty of apple bread pudding is how wonderfully adaptable it is! Once you’ve mastered this classic recipe, feel free to get creative and make it your own. Here are some tasty twists and variations to make your next batch of apple bread pudding truly unique and exciting. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new flavors!

Spice It Up: Beyond the classic apple pie spice, try adding a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, a dash of warm cardamom, or even a hint of ground cloves to your apple filling. These spices will create an even more complex and inviting flavor profile in your delicious apple bread pudding.
Nutty Crunch: For an added layer of texture and rich flavor, fold in a handful of chopped pecans, walnuts, or even candied almonds with your apples. This comforting apple bread pudding will have an extra satisfying crunch.
Boozy Bliss: Looking for an adult twist? Add a splash of bourbon, rum, or apple brandy to your strained apple juices before drizzling them over the finished apple bread pudding. It adds a sophisticated warmth.
Different Breads: While brioche is fantastic, don’t limit yourself! Challah, French bread, or even a sweet cinnamon swirl bread can all create a delightful and unique apple bread pudding. Each bread brings its own character.
Caramel Drizzle: For an extra indulgent finish to your warm apple bread pudding, skip the apple juices and instead drizzle it generously with a homemade caramel sauce or your favorite store-bought caramel topping. Pure bliss! Speaking of delightful bread creations, you might also love exploring my recipe for lemon blueberry sourdough bread.

Warm apple bread pudding slice with melting vanilla ice cream and sweet sauce. Irresistible comfort.

My Favorite Apple Bread Pudding Memory

Baking, for me, isn’t just about following steps or measuring ingredients; it’s deeply tied to the memories we create and the feelings they evoke. One of my fondest memories involves a chilly autumn evening, a crackling fire, and the most incredible apple bread pudding my grandmother ever made.

She was a true baking wizard, and her famous apple bread pudding made an appearance every single fall. I remember being a small child, perched on a stool next to her, watching intently as she carefully peeled apples. Their skins would spiral down, a gentle dance, and the sweet, crisp scent filled her kitchen. Soon, that smell would mix with cinnamon and warm spices, filling the whole house with an aroma I now associate with pure love and comfort.

That first bite of her creamy, spiced apple bread pudding, especially with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream, was pure magic. It tasted like home, like warm hugs, like everything good and safe in the world. This particular recipe for apple bread pudding is my tribute to her, a way to share that same warmth and joy. I truly hope that every bite of your apple bread pudding creates equally cherished memories, bringing your loved ones together. This dessert truly embodies the spirit of family and togetherness. For more delicious takes on this classic, explore other recipes like Gramma’s Apple Bread Pudding on Allrecipes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Bread Pudding

Got questions about this delicious dessert? You’re in the right place! Here are some common questions I hear about apple bread pudding and bread puddings in general.

What is apple bread pudding?

At its heart, apple bread pudding is a wonderfully comforting dessert that takes humble stale bread and transforms it into something truly special. It features tender cubes of bread soaked in a rich, sweet custard, generously layered with sweet and spiced apple chunks. When baked, it becomes a golden, custardy treat with a delightful texture and the warm, familiar flavors of baked apples and cinnamon. It’s the ultimate warm dessert, perfect for any occasion that calls for coziness.

What exactly is bread pudding?

Bread pudding is a traditional dessert dish made from stale bread – often day-old or dried out – that’s soaked in a creamy mixture. This mixture usually includes eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and various seasonings like vanilla or cinnamon. Then, it’s baked until it’s set and golden brown. It’s a fantastic, economical way to repurpose leftover bread into a delicious, moist, and satisfying sweet treat. The texture can be soft and custardy, or sometimes a bit more cake-like, depending on the specific recipe and type of bread used.

What country is known for bread pudding?

While delicious bread pudding variations pop up in many cuisines around the world – often as a clever way to use up stale bread – it’s particularly well-known and loved in British and Irish cuisine. It’s a classic comfort food there. It’s also a deeply ingrained favorite in the southern United States, where recipes often feature local ingredients and distinct flavor profiles. So, while it’s a global delight, it definitely has a strong cultural presence in these regions. To dive deeper into the world of bread puddings, you can find more inspiration and techniques at The Kitchn’s Apple Bread Pudding Guide.

Can you put apples in bread and butter pudding?

Absolutely, yes! Adding apples is a fantastic way to elevate a classic bread and butter pudding. The sweet and slightly tart flavor of the baked apples, especially when warmly spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar, complements the rich, creamy custard and soft bread beautifully. It turns a traditional dish into a more autumnal, fruit-forward dessert. This delicious variation is often simply referred to as apple bread pudding or apple bread and butter pudding.

Conclusion: Share Your Apple Bread Pudding

There’s something truly magical about pulling a warm, bubbling pan of apple bread pudding from the oven. The incredible aromas alone are enough to make everyone gather ’round, their smiles ready for a sweet treat! It’s a smell that just screams comfort and happiness.

This recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s an invitation to create moments of warmth, comfort, and togetherness. Whether you enjoy a cozy slice by yourself on a quiet night in, or share this delightful apple bread pudding with all your loved ones, I truly hope it delights your table as much as it has delighted mine. Happy baking, my friends!