Apple Bread Pudding

We’ve been making a lot of easy dessert recipes recently, but I think these bread pudding recipes top the list. They only need a few ingredients and are super simple to throw together. I promise, let me share what we did to make this fabulous warm quick and easy dessert.

Ok so this creation started at a friends house……. Our families were hanging out and amongst our conversations her husband spoke up and said “ok, I have what you need to make next. You need to combine bread pudding with like apple pie filling together!!” So I went to work the next day.

You can use a loaf of bread from the store and just leave out overnight or if you have day old French bread loaf that is even better. With some sugar, eggs and milk you just soak it to make the base until tender. After baked in the oven just spread any fruit pie filling on the top.

I LOVE new ideas so if you have something in mind you seriously need to send me an email and tell me your thoughts. Who knows…it might end up on the blog like this apple pie bread pudding!!

Ingredient Notes

I have made it both ways using bread cubes. French bread is great if I happen to think of grabbing a loaf when I’m at the store. BUT another way that has worked well is using a loaf of bread like the Artesano you see above with thick slices.

You’ll need a large bowl for your milk, sugar and egg mixture to pour into a rectangle 9×13″ baking dish. Cooking spray is kinda’ a must if you ask me so you can get the pieces out easily too.

On top to make things super easy I use a can of apple pie filling with the sweet ooey gooey sauce + fruit that is already peeled and softened so there is no prep necessary on your part, you just pour it on top when done before serving.

Can you use fresh apples?

You could just slice fresh fruit over the top but you wouldn’t have that sweet goo which is kinda’ a must. You could use them to make your own homemade apple pie filling though which would be better. We like when done to put scoop 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream on top too.

I went back to my easy banana bread pudding recipe I made years ago to look at how I made the bread pudding portion of that, grabbed some apple pie filling and started layering.

He had suggested, bread pudding, pie filling, then bread pudding again but using 1 loaf of French bread there wasn’t quite enough to cover the bottom. I decided to skip the top layer and just put it all on the bottom and it worked great.

How Long to Bake Apple Bread Pudding

Let me tell you that not all of my creations turn out, so this really was an experiment. I threw it into the oven and checked it about 30 minutes later and it looked like it was working. I did it a few more times and that was dead on.

One of the most important parts in making the perfect homemade bread pudding is the cook time. You DO NOT want to overbake it, it should be very moist. BUT you need to ensure the egg is cooked too, it’s a fine balance.

How do you know when bread pudding is done?

You want the breading to be super moist but you also want the egg to be cooked. There is a fine balance so the best bet is to look and test the center of the dish that takes the longest to firm up. Look at it and once the egg has turned white and no longer clear or opaque in color and slightly firmed to the touch it is done. The edges will start to pull away from the sides of the pan as well.

Tips for Success

Use day old thick slices of bagged bread that is a bit stale. If not, the pieces will just fall apart and become mush when mixing ingredients. If it is fresh just leave the end open overnight and you’ll be set.

Always preheat oven to 350 degrees before putting it inside or the texture won’t be ideal so just wait until it is ready for you. As for the dish you are using you really want to prep it with non stick spray or it won’t slide out easily.

Gently spread apple filling on top as a top layer, don’t mix it together. Make sure it is spread evenly so one part isn’t thicker than the rest. Ensure the egg is cooked before taking it out, but not overcooked (tricky part, but after 1 batch you’ll know what to look for – no clear egg left, very lightly browned. on top)

Can you freeze leftover bread pudding?

Frozen bread pudding, baked ahead of time, is fine stored in airtight containers for 2 to 3 months. To reheat leftover bread pudding in the microwave do so in 30 second intervals. Cutting your piece in half before heating will give you a more even heating too which helps and adding frosting to the top will make it more moist too.

Other fruit desserts you’ll love

If you want a slightly sweet treat that can be a breakfast too, try our apple zucchini muffins using fresh produce.

Oh yeah, you can make this with other pie fillings too. Strawberry bread pudding is like this but if with berries of course. When to do more in the near future I will share those too, but if you prefer another fruit then go for it!!

Raisin bread pudding is a version of this but without the pie filling. Cherry monkey bread is a fun one if you like ooey gooey breakfast ideas. Cherry pineapple dump cake recipe for birthdays in our house

For another fall favorite you should try our pumpkin pie sheet cake after this one.