BEST APPLE CINNAMON BREAD PUDDING RECIPE
Bread pudding, also known as French toast casserole, is what all your cozy weekend breakfast dreams are made of. It’s basically bread soaked in a sweet and creamy custard, then baked to perfection. The edges of the bread become deliciously crispy while the inside remains moist and custard-like. It’s much easier than baking individual pieces of French toast in a skillet, and it’s a great way to use up leftover stale or day-old bread. Win Win! So let me show you how it’s done.
Is bread pudding for breakfast or dessert?
There are many, many different versions of bread pudding, some of which are downright decadent. You’ll even see it on the dessert menu at many Southern restaurants (usually drenched in a delicious bourbon sauce). The version I’m serving here is the kind I grew up eating for breakfast. It has milk instead of heavy cream, fewer eggs, and very little sugar. The addition of applesauce to the custard also keeps things a little lighter and towards the breakfast end of the spectrum. All that said, I’d still consider this a sweet, special-occasion snack.
What type of bread to use for bread pudding?
For bread pudding, it is important to use hearty bread instead of soft white sandwich bread. Soft bread will crumble into the custard and not give you that nice toasty edge on top. Bread pudding is a great way to use up leftovers from your Italian bread, baguettes, or any hearty artisan bread you have on hand. And if you don’t have enough bread from one loaf, slice that loaf, put it in a freezer bag, and store it in the freezer for later when you have more!
What else can I add?
The classic apple cinnamon flavor of this bread pudding is a great base to add even more flavor. You can add a handful of walnuts or pecans, or maybe even some dried cranberries. If you want more texture in your bread pudding, try slicing a fresh apple into the mix. If you want to go more the dessert route, you can top your bread pudding with cream cheese icing or caramel drizzle!
Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding
Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding (also known as French Toast Casserole) is a rich and sweet breakfast or after-dinner dessert!
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
INGREDIENTS
6 cups bread pieces ($1.98)
2 cups milk ($0.80)
4 large eggs ($0.84)
1.5 cups applesauce, divided ($0.89)
1 tsp vanilla extract ($0.28)
1/3 cup sugar ($0.11)
1 tsp cinnamon ($0.10)
2 Tbsp butter ($0.18)
1/3 cup raisins (optional) ($0.36)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 325ºF. If your bread is not already sliced, tear or cut the bread into one-inch pieces.
Spread the bread slices on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes to dry out the bread slightly. After baking, let the bread cool for a few minutes to allow the remaining steam to evaporate.
While the bread is drying in the oven, prepare the apple cinnamon custard. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, 1 cup applesauce, vanilla extract, sugar, and cinnamon.
Transfer the toasted bread to a large bowl, add the raisins, then top with the apple cinnamon custard. Stir to combine and let the bread soak for at least 15 minutes to absorb all the custard.
Meanwhile, use 1 teaspoon butter to grease the inside of a two-quart casserole dish. Transfer the soaked bread to the casserole dish and spread it evenly. Cut the remaining butter into pieces and sprinkle over the bread pudding.
Bake the bread pudding for 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
After removing the bread pudding from the oven, dollop the remaining ½ cup applesauce over the bread pudding. Serve hot.
How to Make BREAD Pudding – Step by Step Guide
Preheat oven to 325ºF. Tear your bread into one-inch pieces. You will need about 6 cups of breadcrumbs.
Place the sliced ??bread on a large baking sheet and bake in a preheated 325ºF oven for about 10 minutes to dry out. Allow the bread slices to cool for a few minutes after baking. This will allow the remaining steam to evaporate, allowing the bread to dry out further.
While the bread is drying, prepare the custard. In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups milk, 4 large eggs, 1 cup applesauce, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Place dry bread cubes in a large bowl with this? cup raisins. Pour the custard mixture over the top and then stir until all the custard is absorbed by the bread.
Set the mixture aside and let the bread soak in the custard for at least 15 minutes.
Use about a teaspoon (of a total of 2 tablespoons) to grease the inside of a two-quart casserole dish. Transfer the bread pudding mixture to the casserole dish and spread it evenly. Cut the remaining butter into small pieces and sprinkle over the bread pudding.
Bake the bread pudding in a 325ºF oven for about 45 minutes, or until it is brown and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 160ºF. After baking, spoon the remaining ½ cup applesauce over the top.
Cut into six pieces and serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top!
