Name: Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 16 ounce loaf brioche or challah bread; 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, chopped ¼-inch; 2/3 cup chopped walnuts; 2/3 cup dried cranberries; 5 large eggs; 1 egg yolk; 1/2 cup applesauce (regular, not unsweetened); 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 1 3/4 cups milk; 1 3/4 cups heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 4 tablespoons Danish Creamery Butter cubed; 12 tablespoons Danish Creamery Butter; 3/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

There’s something irresistibly cozy about the warm aroma of cinnamon and baked apples mingling in the kitchen. This Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe is exactly the kind of dessert that feels like a big hug on a chilly day—soft, comforting, with bursts of tart apples and a luscious caramel drizzle on top.

This image shows a close-up of a golden metal serving spoon lifting a portion of bread pudding from a white baking dish. The bread pudding has three main layers: a top crust that is slightly crispy and golden brown, a middle layer with soft, chunky bread pieces in light brown color, and dark brown raisins scattered throughout. A glossy, light caramel sauce is drizzled over the top, giving the bread pudding a sticky and moist look. The white baking dish sits on a white marbled texture surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore this Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe because it's easy yet feels indulgent. It's the perfect dessert when you want something homey but a little special—plus, the caramel sauce that's drizzled over the top turns it from great to unforgettable.

Comfort in every bite: The soft brioche soaked in a rich custard mixed with apples and warming spices creates pure comfort food heaven.
Simple yet impressive: It looks fancy, but requires no complicated techniques—ideal for bakers of all skills.
Flexible ingredients: You can swap nuts, dried fruits, or even use different types of bread and it still comes out amazing.
Make-ahead friendly: Components can be prepped in stages, making it manageable for busy days or gatherings.

The image shows a rectangular white baking dish filled with a bread pudding-like dessert. The dish contains several layers of uneven golden-brown bread chunks soaked in a shiny, light brown sauce. Mixed inside are small dark dried fruits and small pieces of pale yellow fruit, creating a mottled texture on the surface. The edges of the pieces are slightly crispy, while the liquid sauce adds a glossy look, making the dessert appear moist and rich. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe was thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor and texture. From the buttery bread that crisps on the edges, to those tart apples cutting through the sweetness, it’s a balancing act that thrills your taste buds.

Flat lay of a loaf of brioche bread with golden crust cut into cubes, three peeled and chopped green Granny Smith apples, a small pile of chopped walnuts, a handful of deep red dried cranberries, five whole brown eggs with clean shells, one small white ceramic bowl of smooth applesauce, one small white ceramic bowl of granulated white sugar, one small white ceramic bowl of packed brown sugar, one small white ceramic bowl of fresh milk, one small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl containing ground cinnamon, and smaller white ceramic bowls each holding ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, ground cardamom, and salt, a few cubes of pale yellow Danish Creamery butter arranged neatly, all ingredients arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brioche or Challah Bread: These breads are soft and rich, absorbing the custard beautifully without turning mushy.
Granny Smith Apples: Their tartness brightens the dish and holds structure after baking.
Chopped Walnuts: Add crunch and a toasty nuttiness that complements the sweet elements.
Dried Cranberries: Bring bursts of chewy sweetness and a lovely contrast in texture.
Eggs and Egg Yolk: The backbone of the custard that binds everything together and provides richness.
Applesauce: Adds moisture and subtle fruity sweetness without overpowering flavors.
Granulated and Brown Sugar: A combination that balances sweetness and lends hints of caramel flavor.
Milk and Heavy Cream: Make the custard luxuriously creamy.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors and deepens the aroma.
Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves, Cardamom): A fragrant warm spice blend that reminds me of all the best autumn desserts.
Salt: Helps balance the sweetness and boosts all the flavors.
Danish Creamery Butter: Cubed on top melts into pockets of buttery goodness and is key to the caramel sauce’s richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often switch up the nuts or dried fruit depending on what I have in the pantry or to suit different seasons.

Variation: Sometimes I swap walnuts for pecans or use raisins instead of cranberries. Both add their own unique twist but keep that warm flavor you want from bread pudding.
Dietary tweaks: For a dairy-free version, try coconut milk and a vegan butter alternative. The custard still sets nicely, and the flavors shine through.
Spice level: If you love more cinnamon or nutmeg, don’t hesitate to add a bit extra—this recipe holds up well to bold spices.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe

Step 1: Toast Your Bread Cubes

Start by cutting your loaf into 1-inch cubes. Spreading these on a baking sheet and toasting them in a 350°F oven for about 7 to 10 minutes dries them out just enough to soak up the custard without turning to mush. I learned this step the hard way—if your bread is too fresh and soft, your pudding can end up a bit soggy instead of delightfully tender.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard

While the bread toasts, whisk eggs, yolk, applesauce, sugars, milk, cream, vanilla, spices, and salt together until smooth. I use a medium bowl with a whisk for this—no need for anything fancy. The applesauce gives a lovely subtle sweetness and moisture without overpowering the custard's texture.

Step 3: Combine the Bread & Fruit

In a large bowl, toss the toasted bread cubes with the chopped apples, walnuts, and dried cranberries. This is where the texture comes to life—the crunch of walnuts and the fruity chews from cranberries add so much fun to each bite.

Step 4: Assemble and Soak

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread your bread mixture inside. Pour the custard over the top, letting it soak in for a couple of minutes. Then press down gently (I usually use my hands, it’s oddly satisfying) to make sure all the bread cubes subsist fully in the custard. Let it rest for 15 minutes before topping it with little cubes of butter for richness and golden baked edges.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pop your dish in the 350°F oven and bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes. The key is to watch for the edges becoming set and golden, while the center remains soft with just a few moist crumbs when poked with a toothpick. This balance gives you that melt-in-your-mouth bite with just enough structure. Let the bread pudding cool for about 10 to 15 minutes on a rack before bringing on the final finishing touch: caramel sauce.

Step 6: Make the Caramel Sauce

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, then whisk in brown sugar and heavy cream as the butter melts. Once the sugar dissolves and the sauce is heated through, remove from heat and stir in vanilla. This rich, glossy caramel sauce is heavenly drizzled warm over each slice. If you make it ahead, just reheat gently and add a splash of cream to loosen it up if it thickens.

Top Tip

Over the years, baking this Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe has taught me a few things that really make all the difference.

Toast the bread cubes: This is crucial for texture—don’t skip it, or your pudding might get too mushy.
Press and rest: Pressing the bread into custard and letting it rest ensures even soaking and a fully delicious texture throughout.
Butter cubes on top: Adding little butter chunks right before baking creates dreamy buttery pockets and helps caramelize the edges.
Watch your bake time: Check the pudding towards the end of baking time with a toothpick to avoid undercooked custard or drying it out.

How to Serve Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe

apple bread pudding - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this pudding with a generous drizzle of the warm caramel sauce, of course. Sometimes I sprinkle a few extra chopped walnuts or a pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before serving—it’s a little extra something that highlights both the sweet and savory notes. For a little color and freshness, a sprig of fresh mint can also brighten up the plate.

Side Dishes

I usually serve this alongside a cozy cup of chai tea or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for contrast. If it’s brunch time, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt works beautifully with the rich pudding and adds tang. For holiday meals, it pairs perfectly with roasted autumn veggies or a simple leafy salad to balance indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, instead of a big casserole, I've baked this pudding in individual ramekins. It makes the presentation special and guests feel pampered. Another fun idea I've tried is cutting the pudding into squares and serving as bite-sized treats with caramel drizzled on top—perfect for potlucks and cozy parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I've found that tightly covering leftover bread pudding and refrigerating it keeps it tasty for up to 4-5 days. The texture softens a bit but still holds that comforting custardy quality.

Freezing

Freezing really works well for this pudding. After it cools completely, wrap it several times with plastic wrap and foil, or freeze individual slices in freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. It freezes for up to three months, which is perfect for prepping ahead of celebrations.

Reheating

I typically reheat leftovers either in the microwave for quick warming or wrapped in foil in a 325°F oven for 10-20 minutes to retain texture. I like to drizzle a bit of leftover caramel sauce or a splash of cream while reheating to keep things moist and luscious.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bread other than brioche or challah?

Yes! While brioche or challah are ideal for their richness and texture, you can use other soft breads like French bread or even leftovers like sandwich bread. Just toast the bread cubes to dry them a bit before soaking in custard.

Is the caramel sauce necessary?

The caramel sauce really elevates the dessert, adding a buttery sweetness and richness. But if you prefer to skip it, increase the sugar in the custard to make sure your pudding is sweet enough on its own.

How long can I let the bread soak in custard before baking?

About 15 minutes of rest after pouring custard ensures the bread absorbs enough moisture for a tender pudding. You can let it rest a bit longer but avoid going over an hour to prevent it from becoming overly soggy.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep the bread mixture and custard separately and combine them just before baking. The caramel sauce can be made days in advance and reheated. Just assemble the pudding right before baking for best texture.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe is one of those soul-warming dishes that feels like dessert and comfort food in one. Friends and family always ask me to make it again, and I get why—it’s layered with flavors and textures that bring smiles with every bite. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s a classic worth savoring any time you want a little cozy indulgence.