Description
Apple bread pudding is a warm, comforting fall dessert featuring juicy apples, crunchy walnuts, and crusty French bread soaked in a spiced creamy custard and baked to perfection. This easy-to-make dish delivers a delicious combination of textures and flavors, perfect for cozy gatherings or a delightful family treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ½ loaf French bread (about ½ lb), cut into ¾” cubes
- 2 cups apple, diced with skin on (about 1 large apple)
- ½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup honey
- Zest of 1 orange
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease a 7 x 11”, 9 x 9”, or 8 x 8” baking pan thoroughly to ensure the pudding doesn’t stick during baking.
- Assemble Bread: Cut the French bread into ¾ inch thick cubes and evenly place them in the prepared baking pan as the base layer.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and honey until smooth. Add the milk, orange zest, ground cardamom, cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt, then whisk again until fully combined.
- Soak Bread: Pour the custard mixture gradually over the bread cubes, making sure each piece is well-coated. Optionally, you can blend this mixture for a smoother custard consistency before pouring.
- Add Apples and Walnuts: Evenly distribute the diced apples and chopped walnuts over the soaked bread and gently press them down with a spatula to embed them into the custard-soaked bread.
- Refrigerate: Cover the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or ideally overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
- Preheat Oven: Remove the pudding from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Remove the plastic wrap and bake the bread pudding in the preheated oven for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the custard is set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pudding to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. For an extra indulgent touch, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
- This bread pudding can be made a day ahead; refrigerate overnight for the best texture and deeper flavor.
- If you prefer a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Using bread that is a day or two old slightly enhances absorption of custard and texture.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and serve with dairy-free ice cream.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the honey amount based on your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
