Caramelized Apple Bread Pudding
Caramelized Apple Bread Pudding
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Apples
- 2 apples, large, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Bread Pudding
- 6 cups day-old bread, cubed into 1-inch pieces (e.g., challah, brioche, or French bread)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Caramel Sauce (Optional)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, warmed
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8 inch (or similar sized) baking dish with butter.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 2
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the sliced apples, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and lightly caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Arrange half of the cubed bread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Scatter half of the caramelized apples over the bread. Repeat with the remaining bread and apples, creating layers.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In a large bowl, whisk together the large eggs, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined and smooth.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and apples in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula or spoon to ensure all pieces are fully submerged in the custard. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard (this is passive time, not included in step's estimated time).
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil.
⏱️ 45 min•🌡️ 350
- 7
While the bread pudding bakes, prepare the caramel sauce (if using): In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water. Cook over medium heat without stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil. Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the syrup turns a deep amber color (this usually takes 5-8 minutes).
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Remove the caramel from heat and carefully whisk in 2 tablespoons unsalted butter until melted. Slowly pour in the warmed heavy whipping cream, whisking constantly (be cautious, as the mixture will bubble up vigorously). Stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt. Set aside to cool slightly; it will thicken as it cools.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Let the bread pudding cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Drizzle with the homemade caramel sauce, if desired, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Caramelized Apple Bread Pudding
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Apples
- 2 apples, large, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Bread Pudding
- 6 cups day-old bread, cubed into 1-inch pieces (e.g., challah, brioche, or French bread)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Caramel Sauce (Optional)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, warmed
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8 inch (or similar sized) baking dish with butter.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 2
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the sliced apples, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and lightly caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Arrange half of the cubed bread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Scatter half of the caramelized apples over the bread. Repeat with the remaining bread and apples, creating layers.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In a large bowl, whisk together the large eggs, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined and smooth.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and apples in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula or spoon to ensure all pieces are fully submerged in the custard. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard (this is passive time, not included in step's estimated time).
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil.
⏱️ 45 min•🌡️ 350 - 7
While the bread pudding bakes, prepare the caramel sauce (if using): In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water. Cook over medium heat without stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to boil. Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the syrup turns a deep amber color (this usually takes 5-8 minutes).
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Remove the caramel from heat and carefully whisk in 2 tablespoons unsalted butter until melted. Slowly pour in the warmed heavy whipping cream, whisking constantly (be cautious, as the mixture will bubble up vigorously). Stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt. Set aside to cool slightly; it will thicken as it cools.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Let the bread pudding cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Drizzle with the homemade caramel sauce, if desired, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
⏱️ 5 min