This twist on the classic comfort food is full of spiced chai apple bread and buttery brown sugar layers. Warm Apple Bread Pudding gets even better when it’s topped with homemade vanilla crème!
Bread Pudding is the old fashioned dessert I never get tired of making. Try this Caramel Bread Pudding for another sweet variation! Or make our Instant Pot Bread Pudding recipe instead.
Why this Recipe is Best
Remember this Chai Apple Bread recipe?
After making several loaves of it, I ended up with a few slices that somehow managed NOT to be gobbled up within a matter of days.
If you’ve tasted that bread, you know this requires some serious self-control.
I took those leftovers, cut them into cubes and added them to a bread pudding for an even more decadently sweet dessert.
- This Apple Bread Pudding can be made with fresh apple bread OR bread that is several days old. Never waste a loaf!
- Cubes of bread are baked with custard to create an ooey-gooey warm dessert.
- A decadent Vanilla Crème Anglaise drizzled on top sets this bread pudding apart from the rest.
- It’s equally delicious served with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top!
Whether you’re a bread pudding devotee or a skeptic, you NEED to try this recipe! Or give our Instant Pot Rice Pudding recipe a try for a quick and easy comfort dessert.
Ingredient Notes
- Apple Bread. We love our chai apple bread recipe. However, any loaf of bread will work. Apple cinnamon bread, zucchini bread, or even a brioche would be delicious. Just add extra chai spice if needed.
- Eggs. This is the foundation of custard. Be sure to save those egg whites for strawberry meringues or my white cake recipe!
- Heavy cream and Milk. Both are used to give the custard thickness and structure without being TOO thick. An equal substitution of half and half may be used.
- Brown Sugar. The sugar caramelizes on top of the bread pudding as it bakes. This provides a nice texture that contrasts the soft custard pudding.
Easy Instructions
Start by placing cubed apple bread in a baking dish.
Make a custard by combining the eggs, milk, cream, homemade vanilla extract, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Pour the custard mixture over the bread. Sprinkle with brown sugar and bake.
Remove the bread pudding from the oven when the bread springs back when you touch it.
Have a few extra minutes? Make a homemade creme angliese for topping your bread pudding.
How to Make Crème Angliese
First, simmer half and half with vanilla over medium heat.
Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a separate bowl until well combined. Stir half a cup of the warm half and half into the egg yolks.
Now, gradually add the whole egg mixture back to the back to the saucepan, stirring constantly.
Continue cooking over medium heat until the creme is slightly thickened. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until ready to serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Be careful not to over cook the creme angilese. As soon as it sticks to the back of the spoon, remove it from heat.
- Use our chai donuts instead of bread!
- Short on time? Skip the creme angilese and top your apple bread pudding with Whipped Cream instead. I also love it with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
Recipe FAQs
Crème anglaise is a custard-based sauce. With a flavor similar to vanilla pudding, and a consistency of a pouring sauce, it makes the perfect accompaniment to bread pudding.
It is normal for the custard to have some texture, but if there are large lumps then it has been overheated. Process with a handheld immersion blender for 15-45 seconds to smooth the custard.
If you have leftover bread pudding then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving.
The custard for this bread pudding will work well with other soft breads, like banana bread, pumpkin bread, and brioche.
Most bread pudding uses stale bread, but this recipe works well with fresh bread or bread that is several days old.
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Apple Bread Pudding
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding
- 8 one-inch-thick slices chai apple bread cut into cubes (about 5 cups)
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
For the Vanilla Crème Anglaise (optional)
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 large egg yolks
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Bread Pudding Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick baking spray.
- Place the cubed apple chai bread into the baking dish.
- In a medium size bowl, combine the butter, eggs, cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla. Beat well.
- Pour the egg custard mixture evenly over the top of the bread pieces. Gently press the bread into the custard.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top of the bread.
- Bake for 38-42 minutes. The bread pudding is done when it is starting to brown, and the bread springs back when you gently press it.
- Serve warm with crème anglaise, whipped cream, or ice cream.
- Vanilla Crème Anglaise Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, simmer half and half and vanilla extract over medium heat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until smooth.
- Remove ½ cup of the warm half and half from the saucepan and slowly whisk into the egg and sugar mixture.
- Gradually add the egg mixture into the saucepan, stirring continuously as you add it in.
- Continue cooking the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.
- Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Can I use freshly made bread? Most bread pudding uses stale bread, but this recipe works well with fresh bread or bread that is several days old.
- Can I use a different kind of bread? The custard for this bread pudding will work well with our apple chai bread, and other soft breads, like banana bread, pumpkin bread, and brioche.
- How do I store leftovers? If you have leftover bread pudding then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- What is crème anglaise? Crème anglaise is a custard-based sauce. With a flavor similar to vanilla pudding, and a consistency of a pouring sauce, it makes the perfect accompaniment to bread pudding.
- Why is my crème anglaise lumpy? It is normal for the custard to have some texture, but if there are large lumps then it has been overheated. Process with a handheld immersion blender for 15-45 seconds to smooth the custard.
Nutrition
Custard and spiced apple bread are baked together for a mouthwatering dessert! This Apple Bread Pudding is perfect for fall—but it’s so delicious, you’ll crave it year round.
This was absolutely decadent! The creme anglaise with the apples was pure heaven. My favorite fall dessert so far this year!
Delicious
This is heavenly! My family loved it!