Description
Creamy pumpkin bread pudding brings autumn’s warmth to your dessert table with rich seasonal spices. Silky custard and tender bread meld into a comforting classic you’ll crave from first spoonful to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups day-old bread (challah, brioche, or French bread), cut into cubes
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) pumpkin puree
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of salt
Optional Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Chopped nuts
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by lightly greasing a 9×13-inch dish and heating the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating the perfect environment for a decadent dessert.
- Transform day-old bread into rustic cubes, carefully arranging them in the prepared baking dish to create a sturdy foundation for the luscious pudding.
- Craft a velvety custard by whisking together eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, cream, brown sugar, and aromatic spices until the mixture reaches a silky, uniform consistency.
- Lavishly drench the bread cubes with the pumpkin-spiced custard, allowing the bread to luxuriously absorb the rich liquid for 10-15 minutes, ensuring maximum flavor penetration.
- Slide the saturated pudding into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 45-50 minutes until the surface transforms into a golden, slightly crisp landscape with a tender interior.
- Remove from the oven and let the pudding rest and settle for at least 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to stabilize before serving.
- Elevate the dessert with optional garnishes like pillowy whipped cream, drizzled caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of toasted chopped nuts to add texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose slightly stale, dense bread like brioche or challah for the best texture and absorption of the rich, spiced custard.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust the amount of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to match your personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Swap regular bread with gluten-free bread or use cubed gluten-free cornbread for a celiac-friendly version of this comforting dessert.
- Prep Ahead Option: Assemble the pudding the night before, refrigerate, and bake directly from the cold state for a convenient make-ahead dessert that’s perfect for holidays or gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg