Can I use any type of bread for caramel apple bread pudding?

While you can use different breads, brioche is ideal for caramel apple bread pudding due to its rich, buttery texture. Alternatives like challah or soft French bread will work but may not provide the same depth of flavor and creaminess that brioche offers. Avoid dense or overly crusty breads to ensure the pudding soaks up the custard evenly.

Is it possible to prepare caramel apple bread pudding in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the bread pudding the day before baking. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Before baking, let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes, which helps it cook evenly. Expect it to need a few extra minutes in the oven since it’s starting cold.

Can I substitute fresh apples with canned apple pie filling in this recipe?

You can replace fresh apples with approximately 42 ounces of canned apple pie filling. Keep in mind that canned filling is sweeter than fresh apples, so reduce the brown sugar amount in the caramel sauce to balance the sweetness. Since this substitution hasn’t been extensively tested, monitor the flavor and adjust as needed.

What should I do if my caramel sauce becomes too thick when making bread pudding?

If the caramel sauce thickens too much, gently warm it over low heat and add a small amount of water or cream to loosen it. Stir continuously until the sauce reaches a pourable consistency, allowing it to absorb into the bread pudding smoothly without clumping.

Can I leave out the apple pie spice in the caramel apple bread pudding recipe?

It’s best not to omit the apple pie spice as it blends the flavors of apples, caramel, and custard, giving the dessert its classic fall-inspired taste. If you don’t have the spice blend, try warming cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove in similar proportions as a substitute to maintain the rich, spiced flavor profile.

Caramel Apple Bread Pudding Recipe With Warm Spices And Sauce

Name: Caramel Apple Bread Pudding
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 8 oz brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes and dried overnight; – 1 cup milk (at room temperature); – 1 cup heavy cream (at room temperature); – 1/8 cup granulated sugar; – 1/8 cup light brown sugar; – 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter; – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; – 4 large eggs (at room temperature); – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; – 1 teaspoon apple pie spice; – 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; – 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt for caramel-style sauce; – 8 tablespoons unsalted butter for caramel-style sauce; – 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for caramel-style sauce; – 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar for caramel-style sauce; – 2 teaspoons apple pie spice for caramel-style sauce; – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for caramel-style sauce; – 5 peeled and diced Granny Smith apples; – 1 cup water

Description

🍎 Enjoy a rich, comforting dessert bursting with warm spices and sweet caramelized apples.
🍮 This creamy caramel apple bread pudding offers a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients

– 8 oz brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes and dried overnight

– 1 cup milk (at room temperature)

– 1 cup heavy cream (at room temperature)

– 1/8 cup granulated sugar

– 1/8 cup light brown sugar

– 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

– 4 large eggs (at room temperature)

– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

– 1 teaspoon apple pie spice

– 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

– 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt for caramel-style sauce

– 8 tablespoons unsalted butter for caramel-style sauce

– 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for caramel-style sauce

– 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar for caramel-style sauce

– 2 teaspoons apple pie spice for caramel-style sauce

– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for caramel-style sauce

– 5 peeled and diced Granny Smith apples

– 1 cup water

Instructions

1-Preparation and Mise en Place: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly butter an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan. Cut 8 oz of brioche bread into 1-inch cubes and dry them overnight or bake at 300°F for 10 minutes. This step ensures the bread absorbs the custard without getting too soggy in your caramel apple bread pudding.

1-Preparation and Mise en Place: Gather and measure all your ingredients, including 5 peeled and diced Granny Smith apples and the custard mix. Having everything ready makes the process smooth and fun, just like a cozy kitchen adventure.

2-Cook the Apples and Make the Caramel Sauce: Next, melt 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, cooking for one minute. Add 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons apple pie spice, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, stirring until smooth and thick.

2-Cook the Apples and Make the Caramel Sauce: Reserve 1/2 cup of this caramel-style sauce for later. Then, add the diced apples and 1 cup water to the skillet, simmering for 10 15 minutes until the apples are tender and coated. This brings out their tartness, balancing the sweet caramel perfectly in your apple bread pudding.

3-Assemble and Bake: Whisk together the custard ingredients: 1 cup milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/8 cup granulated sugar, 1/8 cup light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 4 large eggs, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon apple pie spice, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt until smooth.

3-Assemble and Bake: Grease your baking pan and layer one-third of the brioche cubes, followed by one-third of the caramel apples, repeating twice. Pour the custard over the layers, pressing the bread down to soak it up. Bake at 350°F for 35 45 minutes until golden and slightly wobbly in the center.

3-Assemble and Bake: After baking, let it rest, then warm the reserved caramel sauce and drizzle it over the top. For an extra treat, add vanilla ice cream. This bread pudding with caramel sauce and apples is sure to impress your family.

Notes

🍞 Use day-old brioche for better custard absorption and texture.
🍏 Choose tart apples like Granny Smith to balance sweetness; Honeycrisp or Braeburn work well.
🍯 Cook flour and butter mixture for at least one minute to avoid raw flour taste and improve sauce texture.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (210 g)
Calories: 438
Sugar: 37g
Sodium: 190mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 144mg

Keywords: Caramel bread pudding,Apple bread pudding,Spiced bread pudding,Creamy dessert