Apple Pie Bread Pudding – A Cozy, Sweet Autumn Dessert

There’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting aroma of baked apples and cinnamon filling your kitchen. Apple Pie Bread Pudding combines all the best elements of classic apple pie with the rich, custardy texture of bread pudding. This dessert is perfect for chilly evenings, holiday gatherings, or whenever you crave a sweet, homey treat. In this article, we’ll walk you through an easy-to-follow recipe, tips for perfect results, fun variations, and serving ideas that will make your Apple Pie Bread Pudding a crowd favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Apple Pie Bread Pudding is a dessert that balances indulgence with simplicity. Using everyday ingredients like day-old bread, fresh apples, and warm spices, this dish transforms humble pantry staples into a luxurious dessert. Unlike traditional pies, this bread pudding is forgiving — it’s hard to overcook, easy to prep, and can be made ahead of time.

Ingredients

• Bread Base:
  • 6 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (white, brioche, or challah work best)
• Apple Mixture:
  • 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• Custard:
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
• Optional Topping:
  • Caramel sauce
  • Powdered sugar
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Prepare Apples: In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook until apples are slightly tender and caramelized, about 5–7 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. Prepare Bread Base: Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to combine evenly.
4. Make Custard: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
5. Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the cooked apple mixture into the bread cubes. Pour the custard over the bread and apples, making sure all bread pieces are soaked. Press lightly to submerge bread. Let sit for 10–15 minutes to absorb the custard.
6. Bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and custard is set.
7. Cool Slightly: Allow the bread pudding to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
8. Serve: Top with caramel sauce, powdered sugar, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Tips for Perfect Apple Pie Bread Pudding

• Use Day-Old Bread: Stale bread absorbs custard better without turning mushy.
• Don’t Overbake: Bread pudding should be moist and custardy inside. Remove from oven when just set.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for a deeper autumn flavor.
• Make Ahead: You can assemble the pudding a day in advance and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.

Apple Pie Bread Pudding

A cozy dessert combining the flavors of apple pie with custardy bread pudding, perfect for autumn or holiday gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 8 slices

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 350

Ingredients

  

Bread Base

• 6 cups day-old bread cut into 1-inch cubes

Apple Mixture

• 3 apples peeled, cored, diced
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp nutmeg

Custard

• 4 eggs large
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch salt

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking dish
• Skillet
• Whisk

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; cook until tender. Set aside.
3. Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
5. Fold apple mixture into bread cubes. Pour custard over bread and press lightly to submerge.
6. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake 35 minutes.
7. Remove foil and bake 20–25 minutes more, until golden and set.
8. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Top with caramel sauce, powdered sugar, or ice cream as desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, add chopped nuts or a splash of bourbon to the custard.

Variations

• Caramel Apple Bread Pudding: Mix in ½ cup caramel sauce before baking for a gooey, indulgent twist.
• Apple Nut Delight: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple mixture for crunch.
• Mini Puddings: Use ramekins for individual servings; reduce baking time to 25–30 minutes.
• Boozy Version: Add 2 tablespoons bourbon or apple brandy to the custard for a festive adult dessert.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic combination.
• Drizzle with caramel or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
• Pair with a hot cup of spiced cider or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat.

Fun Facts & Cultural Context

Bread pudding dates back centuries as a way to use leftover bread creatively. Apple pie, often called “America’s favorite dessert,” brings in the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar that pair beautifully with custardy bread. This fusion of two classic desserts results in Apple Pie Bread Pudding — a treat that is both nostalgic and comforting. Perfect for fall, this dish evokes the flavors of traditional American autumn desserts while being adaptable to modern tastes.