Apple Bread Pudding

Saturday, November 6, 2021
What better comfort food out there for any time of the day than Apple Bread Pudding?

This baked custard is delicious as a dessert, breakfast, and whenever a creamy smooth pudding strikes your fancy.

Growing up we often had lots of leftover bread since dad worked in a bakery.

When the milk was delivered it also had an abundance of cream on top and was used with the addition to milk for mom's recipe.

Over the years I have used half and half, or a mixture of cream and milk also, no matter what your milk substitution is it will still have a nice creamy texture as long as some cream is added.

This bread pudding with apples is perfect for fall and is great served during the Thanksgiving holiday.

The recipe has many substitutions for fruits also so check out my list below for those not fond of apples or raisins.

The bread you choose to use is also optional, we love our cinnamon swirl bread or egg bread, and often at Christmas time, Grandma would use leftover Homemade Panettone.

It's a great delicious custard with an optional caramel topping, check out the printable recipe card below.


baked custard with bread to make a bread pudding






Old Fashioned Bread Pudding


A little patience goes a long way when making homemade bread pudding.

The custard bakes very slowly in a low oven with a steamy water bath.

I try to always remember to keep a pan of water on a second level under the custard to make a nice creamy texture and do this method also for Cheesecake Recipes.

These measurements are to taste using cinnamon, raisins, and fruits, we like more custard also than bread so adapt away.


this is on to make bread pudding with apples


Fruit Substitutions

  • Blueberries
  • Bananas
  • Raspberries
  • Mango
  • Pears
  • Peaches
  • Dried fruits of any kind


the custard being poured over cinnamon bread


Tools You Will Need


  • whisk for the egg
  • measuring cups and measuring spoons
  • blender or mixing bowl
  • saucepan for caramel
  • dessert bowls
  • spoons
  • A timer to make sure you have cooked this look enough


cinnamon raisin bread with apples in a large baking dish



Tips


  • Use a blender for even mixing or whisk.
  • For best results always use the water steam bath method.
  • A knife inserted in the middle will ensure the custard is completed cooking.
  • Add more raisins or less also nuts and craisins or another dried fruit.
  • You can substitute whole milk with evaporated milk, use half cream and milk, or all half and half.
  • Always boil the raisins (if using) to make sure they are soft
  • If you have milk that's about to spoil this is the perfect way to use it up.
  • Add more cinnamon to taste.
  • Cinnamon bread,  Egg bread,  Panettone, Italian bread, sourdough are all good choices for bread.



baking bread pudding with a water bath and the pan


Ingredients You Will Need


  • sugar
  • whole milk or half and half
  • salt
  • brown sugar
  • water for the steam bath
  • cinnamon 
  • eggs
  • butter for greasing the pan or oil spray
  • pure vanilla extract
  • ground cinnamon
  • apples
  • optional:  1/4 cup raisins,  craisins, figs or dates chopped, nuts or another fruit you prefer
  • Garnish: homemade caramel sauce, whipped cream a dash of cinnamon sugar on top




Pin for later



bread pudding


Try Some Of Our Other Favorite Desserts


Pumpkin Custard Tart

Grandma's Baked Custard

Old Fashioned Bread Pudding


baked bread pudding cooling



Custard Pudding



If you're looking for a more bread-style pudding, this isn't it, this is more custard than bread.


The smooth creamy custard this makes is superb, easy and as a child, this is the one that stayed etched in my mind of mom and grandma making.


Simple pantry ingredients, nothing to fuss over, and use what you have on hand.


The only thing that makes a huge difference is a cream keeps this from becoming watery since there is more butter content than water in cream than milk (just a little tip).


Served warm or cold don't forget to try the homemade caramel sauce and top it with whipped cream for a sensational dessert Apple Raisin Bread Pudding!


apple raisin bread pudding, apple cinnamon custard, bread pudding recipes, caramel sauce recipe, how to make bread pudding
bread recipes, pudding recipes, baked custard recipes
ITalian, French, American
Yield: 10
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Apple Raisin Bread Pudding

Apple Raisin Bread Pudding

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 1 H & 30 MTotal time: 1 H & 40 M
This is bread pudding baked custard with a caramel sauce. The apple cinnamon raisins make this a perfect dessert.

Ingredients

  • Custard for the Bread Pudding Recipe:
  • 1 quart of half and half  (or use half cream and  half milk or evaporated milk with half cream combinations)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 thick slices of Cinnamon Swirl Bread or your favorite bread any kind will work
  • Optional: 1/4 cup raisins boiled in water until  plump and soft around 2 minutes in the microwave or stovetop
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 small peeled and sliced apples ( around 1 cup)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • cinnamon to taste I use around 1 teaspoon
  • Optional: substitute bananas, blueberries, raspberries, thin-sliced peaches, mango for apples
  • Caramel Sauce: 
  • 3/4 cup butter 
  • 3/4 cup sugar 
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar 
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream 
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla

Instructions

  1. Directions for the bread pudding:
  2. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  3. Butter a 13 x 9 baking dish or use a deep greased baking pan.
  4. Place the bread, apples, and softened raisins in the prepared greased pan.
  5. Whisk the eggs, creams your using, vanilla, sugars, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl by hand or in a blender until this is evenly blended together and smooth.
  6. Pour over the apple bread and raisin mixture.
  7. Put this casserole on a baking sheet for any spills.
  8. I add 2 inches of water to another small metal baking pan and place that on another shell in the oven.
  9. This helps the custard cook with a steam bath.
  10. Note: you can also use a big Turkey roasting pan with 2 inches of water and place the casserole dish in it.
  11. Bake at 300 degrees for around 1 - 1/2 hours.
  12. The middle will be a little jiggly.
  13. Tip: insert a knife in the middle of the bread pudding, and if it comes out clean, it's done. The bread pudding will continue to cook a little as it cools outside of the oven
  14. Caramel Sauce Instructions:
  15. While the bread custard is baking, place all the caramel sauce ingredients, except for the vanilla, in a small saucepan.
  16. Place the burner on medium heat and let this cook until it thickens.
  17. When it comes to a full boil turn to low, stir in the vanilla.
  18. This is an optional garnish poured over warm or cold bread pudding.
  19. Optional Garnish: homemade caramel sauce, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top.
  20. Note if you are in a hurry and do not want to make the sauce use a good store-bought ice cream caramel topping.
  21. Store any leftovers in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Warm-up for another use.

Notes:

Tips


  • Use a blender for even mixing or whisk.
  • For best results always use the water steam bath method.
  • A knife inserted in the middle will ensure the custard is completed cooking.
  • Add more raisins or less also nuts and craisins or another dried fruit.
  • You can substitute whole milk with evaporated milk, use half cream and milk, or all half and half.
  • Always boil the raisin to make sure they are soft
  • If you have milk that's about to spoil this is the perfect way to use it up.
  • Add more cinnamon to taste.
  • Cinnamon bread, Egg bread, Panettone, Italian bread, sourdough are all good choices for bread.
  • Note if you are in a hurry and do not want to make the sauce use a good store-bought ice cream caramel topping.




Pin for later



this is a pin for later on how to make apple cinnamon raisin bread pudding


More Recipes To Try



Apple Pie Sour Cream Muffins

Easy Apple Crisp


baked custard bread pudding cooling


Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2010. It was edited and re-published in 2021.

21 comments

  1. Bread pudding is something my mom made often when I was a child and I always loved it with whipped cream!

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  2. Bread Pudding is my FAVORITE! I would eat the entire pan!

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  3. I have a huge soft spot for Creole bread pudding - I haven't had it like this. Your grandma knew what she was doing, that's for sure!!!

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  4. I am a bread pudding fiend - and my waistline shows it. This is delicious - I can tell. Love the apples in it. Mmmm

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  5. This bread pudding sounds just heavenly! Wonderful with apples & cinnamon!

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  6. I never knew how to make this Claudia and I love bread pudding! Will be trying this one soon, it looks so good.

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  7. What a scrumptious sounding bread pudding! And a great use for leftover bread.

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  8. Thanks everyone so glad you all liked this post, I am sure my grandma would be happy to see everyone's great comments! thxs again

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  9. Apple pudding, fruit based desserts are my favorite!

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  10. there is nothing like bread pudding and this version sounds really, really good - I am use to the pecan raisin type with bourbon sauce but this is one I must try

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  11. Such a great way to use up day old bread! The combination of apples and cinnamon is always a favorite.

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  12. This looks soooo good!!!I love anything with baked apples!

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  13. Family recipes are most valuable, and even that much more delicious. I can smell the cinnamon baking from here!

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  14. I made something like this for a snack today minus the bread. I bet this made your whole house smell delicious!

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  15. This is another must try. I've never done a bread puuding before but you make it look easy.

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  16. That looks really good. My husband loves it with lots of raisins.

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  17. Love the caramel sauce. It was delicious.

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  18. A friend at work gave me a bag of cooking apples from her garden and this is the perfect recipe.

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  19. Bread pudding is hands down one of my favorite desserts. And I can’t wait to try this Apple version for Thanksgiving!!

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  20. Enjoyed this for dessert this evening and it was a hit all around the table! The perfect dessert for fall; easily, my new favorite dish!

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  21. This is such a great seasonal breakfast or dessert! Thinking about remaking it for Thanksgiving breakfast this year!

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Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia