Sharing is caring!

This Caramel Apple Bread Pudding is the ultimate cozy fall dessert! Cubes of bread are combined with tender cinnamon-spiced apples, a rich vanilla custard, and plenty of caramel sauce before being baked until golden brown.

Serve it warm with an extra drizzle of caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert that tastes like fall in every bite.

If you have some day-old bread sitting around, this is one of the best ways to use it!

Easy Caramel Apple Bread Pudding

When fall rolls around, I am all about apple recipes. Give me apple butter, apple pie, apple crisp, and anything covered in caramel, and I'm happy.

This bread pudding combines two of my favorite fall flavors—caramel and apples—in one incredibly simple dessert.

The bread soaks up a sweet cinnamon and vanilla custard while the apples soften as everything bakes. Caramel sauce tucked throughout the bread pudding adds little pockets of buttery caramel flavor.

And, of course, we're adding even more caramel on top before serving!

What Kind of Bread Is Best for Bread Pudding?

Bread pudding is actually better when you don't use super-fresh bread.

Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard without immediately turning to mush.

Some of my favorite breads to use are:

• Brioche
• Challah
• French bread
• Italian bread
• Sourdough
• Croissants

You can even use a combination of breads if you have odds and ends that need to be used.

For this recipe, you'll need about 6 cups of cubed bread.

Ingredients

For the Apple Bread Pudding

• 6 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup caramel sauce, plus more for serving

How to Make Caramel Apple Bread Pudding

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

Place the cubed bread into the prepared baking dish and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Apples

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Add the diced apples, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.

Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften. You don't want them completely soft because they'll continue cooking in the oven.

Remove the skillet from the heat.

Scatter the apples evenly over the cubed bread.

Step 3: Make the Custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, vanilla, remaining ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Whisk until everything is well combined.

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and apples.

Gently press the bread down into the custard so that all of the pieces have a chance to soak up that delicious mixture.

Step 4: Add the Caramel

Drizzle about ½ cup caramel sauce over the bread pudding.

Use a spoon or butter knife to gently work some of the caramel down between the pieces of bread.

Allow the bread pudding to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before baking. This gives the bread plenty of time to absorb the custard.

Step 5: Bake

Bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.

The middle should still be soft and custardy but shouldn't look wet or runny.

Let the bread pudding cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Don't Forget the Caramel!

Right before serving, drizzle warm caramel sauce generously over the top.

And if you really want to make this dessert amazing, add a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The combination of warm apple bread pudding, buttery caramel, and melting vanilla ice cream is hard to beat.

What Are the Best Apples to Use?

You want an apple that will hold its shape while baking instead of disappearing into the custard.

Some great choices include:

Granny Smith: Tart and firm, which is especially good with sweet caramel.

Honeycrisp: Sweet, slightly tart, and stays fairly firm after baking.

Pink Lady: A nice balance between sweet and tart.

Braeburn: Firm with a warm, slightly spiced flavor.

You can also mix two varieties. I love using one tart apple and one sweeter apple to give the bread pudding more flavor.

Can I Use Homemade Caramel Sauce?

Absolutely!

Homemade caramel sauce takes this dessert to another level, but store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly when you want to keep things easy.

Just make sure you're using a caramel dessert sauce rather than caramel candy or an extremely thick caramel dip. You want something that can easily be drizzled throughout the bread pudding.

Can I Make Bread Pudding Ahead of Time?

Yes!

You can assemble the bread pudding several hours before baking. Cover the baking dish and place it in the refrigerator.

When you're ready to bake it, take it out of the refrigerator while the oven preheats.

Because the bread pudding will be cold, it may need an additional 5 to 10 minutes of baking time.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover Caramel Apple Bread Pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Individual servings can be reheated in the microwave for about 30 seconds at a time until warm.

Add the extra caramel sauce after reheating for the best flavor.

A Few Tips for the Best Bread Pudding

Don't worry if your bread is a little stale—that's actually a good thing! Drier bread does a better job of soaking up the custard.

Cut your apples fairly small so you get apple in almost every bite.

Don't skip the resting time before baking. Giving the bread 15 to 20 minutes to soak makes a noticeable difference in the finished texture.

And finally, don't overbake it. Bread pudding should be moist and custardy in the center rather than dry like a cake.

What to Serve With Caramel Apple Bread Pudding

This dessert is wonderful on its own, but it's even better served warm with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Extra caramel sauce
• Chopped toasted pecans
• A sprinkle of cinnamon
• Powdered sugar

For an extra-special fall dessert, add vanilla ice cream, warm caramel, and chopped pecans.

The Perfect Cozy Fall Dessert

Caramel Apple Bread Pudding is one of those old-fashioned desserts that feels extra special without being complicated to make.

You get tender cinnamon apples, creamy vanilla custard, buttery bread, and gooey caramel all in one dish.

It's perfect for Sunday dinner, Thanksgiving, fall get-togethers, or simply using up that loaf of bread sitting on your counter.

And whatever you do, don't be shy with that final drizzle of caramel!

Love Apple Recipes? Check these out

• Southern Apple Salsa
• Classic Apple Pie
• Caramel Apple Dirty Soda