Introduction
Get ready to discover your new favorite comfort food: Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding! This delightful dessert is a warm hug in a bowl, combining soft, custardy bread with sweet, spiced apples. Every bite is a symphony of flavors and textures, making it truly special and incredibly delicious.
You might think something this decadent would be complicated, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and mostly hands-off baking time, you can create a show-stopping dessert without any stress. It’s perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, promising a delicious outcome every time.
Imagine your home filled with the inviting aroma of cinnamon and apples. This recipe is designed to bring warmth and joy to your kitchen and your table. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s make some wonderful memories with this incredible Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding!
Cooking Time & Prep Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
Small tip: To make prep even quicker, you can cut the bread cubes and dice the apples the day before. Store them separately in airtight containers until you’re ready to bake!
Ingredients
Servings: 8
For the Bread Pudding:
- 6 cups (about 1 pound) stale bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (brioche, challah, or day-old French bread work best)
- 3 medium apples (Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala), peeled, cored, and diced into ½-inch pieces
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Custard:
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnish:
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Apples
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, diced apples, ½ cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Toss gently to coat all the pieces.
Small tip: Stale bread is key for the best bread pudding! It absorbs the custard beautifully. If your bread isn’t stale, you can lightly toast the cubes on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before mixing.
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Step 2: Arrange in Baking Dish
Pour the melted butter over the bread and apple mixture in the bowl. Toss everything again to ensure the bread and apples are lightly coated. Transfer this mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly in a single layer.
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Step 3: Whisk the Custard
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, milk, heavy cream, ½ cup granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the mixture is well combined and smooth, with no streaks of egg visible.
Small tip: Make sure to whisk thoroughly! This ensures a consistent, creamy custard that will soak into every corner of your bread pudding.
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Step 4: Pour Custard Over Bread
Slowly pour the prepared custard mixture evenly over the bread and apple mixture in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread cubes with a spatula or the back of a spoon to ensure all the bread pieces are submerged and begin to soak up the creamy liquid. Let the dish sit for 10 minutes to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard.
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Step 5: Bake the Pudding
Place the baking dish in your preheated oven. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the bread pudding is beautifully golden brown on top, appears puffed up, and a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. A little moistness is perfectly fine and desired for a tender pudding.
Small tip: If you notice the top browning too quickly during baking, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes to prevent over-browning.
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Step 6: Cool and Serve
Remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This cooling time allows the custard to set properly and the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve warm, optionally dusted with powdered sugar, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of rich caramel sauce.
Tips & Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: It’s easy to make this recipe gluten-free! Simply swap out regular bread for your favorite gluten-free bread. Ensure it’s slightly stale, just like regular bread, for the best custard
