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 a warm, comforting dessert like this Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe. The tender apples mingled with soft bread soaked in creamy custard all drenched in luscious homemade caramel? Pure magic on a plate, and truly worth the effort.

The image shows a close-up of a golden brown bread pudding slice being lifted with a gold spatula. The bread pudding has several layers of unevenly shaped bread pieces with a slightly crispy texture on top, mixed with dark raisins and lighter nut pieces scattered throughout. A smooth, light caramel sauce glistens over the top, adding shine and moisture. The bread pudding sits inside a white baking dish with a blue rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The scene is bright and detailed, highlighting the moist and textured layers of the dessert. 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

When I first made this Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe, I was blown away by how it brought a sense of warmth and celebration to my kitchen. It’s a dessert that feels like a hug — comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to pull together.

Perfect blend of textures: Soft bread cubes soaked in custard contrast beautifully with crisp apples and crunchy walnuts.
Homemade caramel sauce: The buttery brown sugar caramel ties everything together and elevates the dish to something truly special.
Flexible and forgiving: You can customize nuts, dried fruit, or even spices to suit your preferences without losing that classic apple bread pudding vibe.
Great for gatherings: Feeds a crowd, makes ahead, and actually tastes better warm the next day — what’s not to love?

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered bread pudding. The top layer is made of chunky, golden-brown toasted bread pieces that appear moist with a shiny, caramel-colored sauce coating them. Mixed within the bread are small pale yellow apple cubes and dark dried berries, scattered evenly on the surface. The texture looks soft and slightly syrupy, with some edges of the bread slightly darker and crispier. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this recipe plays its own role in creating that ultimate cozy dessert. Using quality staples and fresh apples really makes a difference — and I always recommend toasting the bread first to avoid sogginess later.

Flat lay of a small stack of brioche bread cubes, three peeled and quarter-inch chopped green Granny Smith apples, a handful of chopped walnuts, a small pile of dried cranberries, five whole uncracked brown eggs and one whole uncracked white egg, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth applesauce, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of packed brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, three tiny white ceramic bowls containing ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and a spice blend of ground cloves and cardamom, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, two small pats of Danish Creamery butter cubes, and another small white ceramic bowl holding caramel sauce—all arranged with perfect symmetry and fresh, natural textures, placed 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: Their rich, slightly sweet crumb soaks up custard beautifully without turning mushy.
Granny Smith Apples: Tart and firm, these apples hold shape and add a refreshing tang to balance sweetness.
Walnuts: Add crunch and a toasty flavor that complements the soft textures perfectly.
Dried Cranberries: Bursts of tart sweetness—optional but such a nice contrast.
Eggs & Egg Yolk: Essential for creating that silky custard base that binds everything.
Applesauce: Adds moisture and a subtle apple flavor without extra sugar.
Granulated & Brown Sugar: Brown sugar deepens flavor while granulated sugar balances sweetness.
Milk & Heavy Cream: Create a rich custard that’s creamy and tender.
Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and cardamom bring warm depth and cozy aromas to the pudding.
Butter (for topping and caramel): Adds richness and beautiful golden pockets atop the baked pudding.
Vanilla Extract: Ties all the flavors together with that sweet, fragrant note.

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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

I love experimenting with this recipe because it’s so adaptable! Feel free to swap nuts or dried fruit depending on what you have or prefer. You can even mix up the spices for a little extra warmth or brightness.

Try Pecans instead of Walnuts: I’ve swapped in pecans sometimes and they add a lovely buttery crunch that pairs beautifully with the apples.
Use Different Dried Fruits: Dried cherries or raisins work just as well—and you can skip them if you want to keep it simple.
Adjust Spices: If you like it spicier, add a pinch more ginger or cardamom; for a subtler taste, reduce cloves.
Make it Vegan: I haven’t tried a full vegan version, but replacing eggs with a flax egg and using non-dairy milk and butter could work—let me know if you try!

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

Step 1: Toast the Bread Cubes

First, I cut the brioche into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly on a baking sheet. Toasting them at 350°F for about 7-10 minutes dries them slightly — this is key! It prevents the bread from getting too soggy when soaking in the custard later. You want the cubes softened but not mushy.

Step 2: Combine the Custard Ingredients

While the bread is toasting, whisk together eggs, egg yolk, applesauce, granulated and brown sugar, milk, cream, vanilla, and warm spices. It’s a fragrant mix that will infuse everything with flavor and moisture. I make sure everything is well combined—no lumps—before moving on.

Step 3: Mix the Bread, Apples, and Add-ins

In a large bowl, I toss the toasted bread cubes with chopped Granny Smith apples, walnuts, and dried cranberries. This ensures the apples and nuts are evenly distributed. Then, I pour this mixture into my greased baking dish.

Step 4: Pour the Custard and Rest

Pour the custard evenly over the bread mixture, then let it sit for a few minutes so the bread starts to soak it up. I press down gently with my hands to submerge all the bread pieces—this little step helps every cube absorb that flavorful custard evenly. Then, let it rest 15 minutes to get fully soaked.

Step 5: Add Butter Cubes and Bake

Before popping the dish into the oven, I dot the top with small cubes of butter—this creates beautiful golden spots and adds richness. Bake uncovered at 350°F for about 45 to 55 minutes, until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let it cool 10-15 minutes out of the oven.

Step 6: Make the Caramel Sauce

While the pudding cools slightly, I start my caramel sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat, then whisk in brown sugar and heavy cream until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and pour generously over the warm bread pudding just before serving. It’s decadent and worth every spoonful!

Top Tip

From my hands-on time making this Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe, I learned that soaking time and bread texture make the biggest difference between a perfectly creamy pudding and a soggy mess.

Toast Bread Properly: Don’t skip this step! It dries out the bread cubes just enough to soak up custard without becoming mush.
Press Down to Submerge: Gently pressing the custard-soaked bread ensures even custard absorption for consistent texture.
Watch Baking Time: Pudding is done when the edges are set but the center has a few moist crumbs on a toothpick, not wet custard.
Caramel Sauce Warm-up: Make the caramel ahead and gently warm it with a splash of cream—this keeps it silky and pourable when serving.

How to Serve Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe

Apple Bread Pudding - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a bit of chopped toasted walnuts on top for extra crunch and a light dusting of cinnamon to highlight the warm spices. Sometimes a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes the dish feel extra indulgent — especially when paired with the luscious caramel drizzle.

Side Dishes

This bread pudding shines as a dessert after a simple dinner — but I also like serving it alongside spiced cider or a warm cup of coffee. For a brunch twist, add it as a sweet finish next to scrambled eggs or a savory quiche.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I sometimes bake individual portions in ramekins for a personal touch. Garnished with a sprig of fresh mint and a delicate drizzle of caramel, they feel so festive and fancy — yet still easy enough for a cozy family gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers go into an airtight container and into the fridge, and they keep really well for 4 to 5 days. I find the flavors intensify overnight, making next-day slices even better chilled or warmed up.

Freezing

I’ve had success freezing fully baked bread pudding wrapped tightly in plastic and foil. It keeps its integrity for about 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. For convenience, you can freeze individual slices in freezer bags too.

Reheating

I prefer reheating in the oven—cover the dish with foil and warm at 325°F for 10-20 minutes until heated through. The microwave works too but reheat in short bursts to prevent rubbery texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of bread in this apple bread pudding with caramel recipe?

Absolutely! Brioche or challah are ideal for their tender crumb and slight sweetness, but you can use other sturdy breads like French bread or even sourdough. Just make sure to toast the bread cubes first to avoid a soggy texture.

How far ahead can I assemble this bread pudding?

It’s best to prepare the bread mixture and the custard separately and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. Assemble the pudding just before baking to prevent sogginess. The caramel sauce can be made days in advance and reheated before serving.

Can I make the caramel sauce dairy-free?

Yes, you can swap out the butter and heavy cream for non-dairy alternatives like vegan butter and coconut cream. The sauce will still be rich and delicious but may have a slightly different flavor profile.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover apple bread pudding with caramel?

For the best texture and flavor, reheat leftovers in the oven covered with foil at 325°F for 10-20 minutes until warmed through. The microwave works too in short bursts but can make the pudding a bit rubbery if overdone.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Recipe has earned a permanent spot in my dessert repertoire. It’s one of those recipes that brings people together—comforting, nostalgic, and truly delicious. If you haven't made it yet, give it a whirl—you’ll be rewarded with a warm dessert that tastes like pure love in every bite.