Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 50 min
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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This Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding is the ultimate cozy dessert, perfect for fall gatherings or a snug night in. It's a delightful twist on classic bread pudding, loaded with warm spices and topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding

The star of the show is, of course, the pumpkin puree, which provides moisture and a subtle earthy sweetness. The whole milk and heavy cream combine to create a creamy custard that envelops the bread. Granulated sugar sweetens the pudding, while the eggs bind it together, giving it structure. Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, while ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring that quintessential pumpkin spice warmth. A hint of salt balances the flavors. Finally, caramel sauce adds a luscious finishing touch.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your bread is too fresh, cube it and let it dry out overnight, or lightly toast it in the oven to mimic day-old bread.
  • For a deeper caramel flavor, use a salted caramel sauce.
  • Customize the spice level to your liking by adjusting the amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Serving Suggestions

This bread pudding pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For an extra touch of decadence, sprinkle some toasted pecans on top. Serve it warm for the best experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the bread pudding up to the baking step and refrigerate it overnight. Bake it when you're ready to serve.
What type of bread works best?
Challah, brioche, or French bread are great options thanks to their sturdy texture and ability to soak up the custard.
Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling?
It's best to stick with pure pumpkin puree to control the sweetness and spices in the recipe.

Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the oven is ready when your pudding is.

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish — I usually just use a bit of butter on a paper towel to do this. Set the dish aside for now.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined and smooth — it should look like a lovely, spiced custard.

Add your bread cubes to the bowl. Stir them gently until every piece is well coated with the pumpkin mixture. Let the bread sit in the bowl for about 15 minutes. This waiting time allows the bread to soak up all the goodness, which is key for a moist bread pudding.

Once soaked, pour the bread mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon, ensuring that the bread is distributed nicely.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes. You're looking for a golden top and a set center, which means the custard is cooked through.

Once out of the oven, drizzle the warm bread pudding with caramel sauce just before serving. This step takes it from delicious to absolutely irresistible.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfectly captures autumn flavors with pumpkin and spices.
  • Great way to use up day-old bread and minimize waste.
  • Simple to prepare, yet impressive enough for guests.
  • Rich, creamy texture that's comforting and satisfying.

Ingredients

8 cups cubed day-old bread
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup pumpkin puree
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup caramel sauce

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until smooth.
4. Add the bread cubes to the bowl, stirring to coat them well. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes, allowing the bread to soak up the liquid.
5. Pour the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden and the pudding is set.
7. Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving warm.

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