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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Desserts » Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

    Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

    October 31, 2019 (updated December 4, 2023) by Danielle Esposti

    May contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

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    Pinterest collage for an apple bread pudding recipe with salted caramel sauce.
    Pinterest collage for an apple bread pudding recipe with salted caramel sauce.
    Pinterest image for apple bread pudding recipe.
    Pinterest image for apple bread pudding recipe.

    Apple Bread Pudding is a new classic you’ll want to make on repeat. Brioche bread is tossed with a cinnamon custard, studded with thinly sliced apples. This sweet make-ahead casserole is perfect for everything from Christmas morning breakfast to dessert.

    A slice of apple bread pudding drizzled with salted caramel sauce.
    Jump to:
    • How to Make Apple Bread Pudding
    • Recipes Notes and Tips
    • Leftovers and Storage
    • Recipe

    Ah, bread pudding. You might believe this classic recipe is reserved for stale white-table restaurants with other solid-but-somewhat-boring offerings like Lava Cake and Sorbet. Or that it’s a dessert grandma used to make and you, in your enviable but underdeveloped wisdom of youth, turned your nose up at because how in the world can bread soaked in milk and eggs be ungodly delicious? 

    Or you might be in my camp. A camp I graduated to after motherhood, where bread pudding became a new classic – a trusty, tried-and-true recipe I could turn to when I needed to feed all of the hangry mouths for a holiday brunch without fuss, or transform the stale sourdough bread loaf that I once again forgot to use into a decadent, mouthwatering dessert using just a few ingredients from my fridge and pantry. 

    Apple bread pudding in a casserole dish on marble table alongside a stack of white plates and a linen napkin.

    Yes, bread pudding is a hero in all its forms, and this cinnamon spiced apple bread pudding is the newest addition to my arsenal. Studded with apple slices throughout and drizzled with salted caramel sauce, it’s rich and decadent and a serious crowd-pleaser. And it’s flexible, too. Skip the caramel sauce and drizzle it with maple syrup and you’ll have a Christmas brunch recipe the family will crave all year. 

    How to Make Apple Bread Pudding

    Apple bread pudding is a seasonal star for the fall and winter holidays – a totally irresistible crowd pleaser. It’s savory enough to offer for breakfast or brunch, but sweet enough to drizzle with salted caramel sauce for dessert. Be sure to properly prepare the apples so they don’t sink to the bottom of the bread pudding. Thinly sliced apples stay integrated throughout the bread cubes, and the result is a perfectly layered bread pudding bursting with apple flavor in every bite. 

    Cubes of brioche bread on a baking sheet before and after being dried in the oven.
    • Slice the brioche bread into 2″ cubes, then spread onto a baking sheet.
    • Bake the cubes in a 250°F oven for 10-15 minutes until dried out – they should be firm and very slightly browned, but not toasted. 
    A collage of images showing how to slice and sautee apples for an apple bread pudding recipe.
    • Wash, quarter, and core the apples. Thinly slice the apples (⅛″ – ¼″ thickness) using a mandoline or very sharp knife. 
    • Run your knife through the apple slices to create bitesized pieces. 
    • Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a 10″-12″ skillet over medium high heat. Add the apples, toss to coat in the butter, and saute until they’re soft and starting to brown around the edges, 7-8 minutes.
    The ingredients for apple bread pudding in a large mixing bowl before and after being tossed together.
    • In a very large bowl, combine 4 eggs with milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the eggs are fully beat into the milk.
    • Add the brioche cubes and apples and toss thoroughly with the custard. 
    Unbaked apple bread pudding in a casserole dish.
    • Grease a 9×13″ casserole dish with butter, then pour the apple bread pudding mixture into the dish.
    • Cover with foil, transfer to the fridge, and chill for at least 1 one hour and up to overnight. 
    Baked apple bread pudding in a casserole dish on a marble table.
    • Bake the bread pudding at 350°F for 30 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake an additional 25-30 minutes uncovered until golden brown. The center will be slightly puffed, but it will deflate.
    • Rest for 5 minutes, then slice into squares and serve warm with salted caramel sauce. 
    A slice of apple bread pudding being lifted out of a casserole dish; and caramel sauce being drizzle over a serving of apple bread pudding.

    Recipes Notes and Tips

    • Use brioche or challah bread for a sweeter bread pudding, or sourdough or french bread for a more savory version. Both are delicious. 
    • Slice the apples thinly, instead of into chunks or cubes. This will help them sautee quickly, plus they won’t sink to the bottom of the custard. 
    • Use a variety of apples that are both sweet and tart in flavor and firm in texture so they hold up well once sautéed then baked. I used one honey crisp, one fuji, and one granny smith. Gala and pink lady apples are also great choices.
    • Be sure to chill until the bread has completely absorbed the custard to achieve the right texture – otherwise you’ll end up with bits of custard baked atop the bread. 
    • Drizzle with salted caramel sauce for a sweet dessert, or maple syrup and powdered sugar for a seasonal breakfast.
    A piece of apple bread pudding on a white plate with a silver fork.

    Leftovers and Storage

    Bread pudding doesn’t freeze well – it turns to mush once defrosted. Leftovers are best stored covered in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals. I find that bread pudding is best the day it’s made because the crispy bites stay crisp and the tender bits stay tender. 

    A fork inserted into a piece of apple bread pudding drizzled with salted caramel sauce.

    Did you make this Apple Bread Pudding? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    A slice of apple bread pudding drizzled with salted caramel sauce.

    Apple Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Apple bread pudding is a seasonal star for the fall and winter holidays – a totally irresistible crowd pleaser. It's savory enough to offer for breakfast or brunch, but sweet enough to drizzle with salted caramel sauce for dessert. Be sure to properly prepare the apples so they don't sink to the bottom of the bread pudding. Thinly sliced apples stay integrated throughout the bread cubes, and the result is a perfectly layered bread pudding bursting with apple flavor in every bite. 
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 1 hour hr
    Chilling Time: 1 hour hr
    Total Time: 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Servings : 10
    Calories: 434

    Recommended Equipment

    • 9" x 13" Casserole Dish
    • Mandoline

    Ingredients

    Apple Bread Pudding

    • 1 loaf brioche bread, sliced into 2" cubes
    • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
    • 3 medium apples, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced, then chopped
    • 4 large eggs
    • 2 c whole milk
    • 1 c heavy cream
    • ½ c packed light brown sugar
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Salted Caramel Sauce

    • 1 c packed light brown sugar
    • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
    • ¼ c heavy cream
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • ½-1 tsp sea salt

    Instructions

    • Heat the oven to 250°. Grease a 9” x 13” casserole dish with butter.
    • Dice the bread into 2” cubes and spread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and baked until dried. The cubes are ready when they’re firm and dry, but not toasted.
    • Melt the butter in a 10” skillet over medium high heat. Add the apples and saute until soft, 7-8 minutes.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sugar. Whisk until thoroughly combined. Add the sautéed apples and dried bread cubes and gently toss.
    • Pour the bread and apple mixture into prepared casserole dish. Cover with foil and transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
    • When you’re ready to bake, heat the oven to 350°Transfer the foil covered casserole dish to the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, until the bread pudding is golden brown on top and puffed. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes; it will deflate.
    • While the bread pudding makes, prepare the caramel sauce. Combine the brown sugar, butter and heavy cream in a small sauce-pot over medium heat. Whisk frequently until the butter melts and the ingredients meld together. Continue cooking over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the sauce transforms from grainy to smooth and thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed.
    • Slice the bread pudding into 8-10 squares, drizzled with caramel sauce, and enjoy immediately.

    Notes

    • Use brioche or challah bread for a sweeter bread pudding; use sourdough or french bread for a more savory version.
    • Slice the apples thinly, instead of into chunks or cubes. This will help them sautee quickly, plus they won’t sink to the bottom of the custard. 
    • Be sure to chill until the bread has completely absorbed the custard to achieve the right texture – otherwise you’ll end up with bits of custard baked atop the bread. 
    • Drizzle with salted caramel sauce for dessert, or use maple syrup and powdered sugar for a seasonal twist on french toast casserole.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 434kcal (22%), Carbohydrates: 47g (16%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 26g (40%), Saturated Fat: 15g (75%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 182mg (61%), Sodium: 344mg (14%), Potassium: 147mg (4%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 20g (22%), Vitamin A: 42% (42%), Vitamin C: 2% (2%), Calcium: 63% (63%), Iron: 9% (9%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    4 Comments
    Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Fall Recipes, Kid Friendly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Susan Vaill

      December 23, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      If I can’t find brioche bread, can I use challah? Or brioche hamburger buns?

      Reply
      • Danielle

        December 24, 2019 at 12:04 pm

        Challah would be great, or even sourdough in a pinch.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Apple Galette with Vanilla Glaze | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      October 1, 2020 at 10:54 am

      […] Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding […]

      Reply
    2. Gluten Free Apple Crisp with Pecans and Walnuts | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      October 15, 2020 at 10:34 am

      […] Apple Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce | Our Salty Kitchen says: October 31, 2019 at 2:06 pm […]

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