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Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding
A Cozy, Irresistible Fall Treat
There’s something magical about the flavors of fall—warm spices, sweet pumpkin, and a touch of nostalgia in every bite. Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding captures all of that and more. It’s the kind of dessert that wraps you in a blanket of coziness with every forkful. Perfect for holiday dinners, cozy nights at home, or as a sweet reward after a long day, this dish is as comforting as it is indulgent. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make, making it ideal for both novice bakers and seasoned cooks.
This recipe combines tender cubes of bread soaked in a creamy pumpkin-spiced custard, baked until golden and delicious. Topped with a decadent bourbon sauce (or your favorite drizzle), it’s the perfect blend of rustic charm and elevated flavor. Whether you’re a pumpkin spice enthusiast or someone who loves a good bread pudding, this dessert is bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection. So grab your whisk and let’s bring a little autumn magic to your kitchen!
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How to Make It Kid-Friendly
Turn your Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding into a kid-approved dessert with a few simple tweaks! Swap out the bourbon sauce for a drizzle of caramel or chocolate syrup to make it extra appealing to younger palates. You can also add fun toppings like rainbow sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or crushed graham crackers for a playful twist.
If your little ones are picky about textures, you can blend the custard mixture until completely smooth before pouring it over the bread. This creates a more uniform consistency that kids often prefer. Lastly, consider baking the pudding in muffin tins for individual portions—perfect for little hands and a great way to avoid messy serving!
Customize Your Cravings: Fun Twists on the Classic Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding is wonderfully versatile, allowing you to adapt it to your preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to customize this recipe:
Bread Options:
- While brioche and challah create a rich, buttery texture, you can experiment with other types of bread. Croissants add an extra flaky decadence, while sourdough offers a tangy contrast to the sweetness. Even a hearty whole-grain bread can work for a nutty twist!
Add Some Texture:
- Toss in ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for a delightful crunch.
- Sprinkle dried cranberries, raisins, or even chocolate chips throughout the bread mixture for pops of sweetness.
Dairy-Free Delight:
- Swap the milk and cream for almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk. Coconut cream also makes a fantastic alternative for a creamy texture.
Spice It Your Way:
- Adjust the pumpkin spice blend to suit your taste. Love cinnamon? Add an extra pinch! Prefer a ginger-forward dessert? Increase the amount of ginger for a zingy kick.
Boozy Boost:
- For adults, soak the bread cubes in a few tablespoons of bourbon or rum before adding the custard. This adds a rich, complex flavor that pairs perfectly with the warm spices.
Individual Servings:
- Instead of using a single baking dish, divide the bread mixture into ramekins or muffin tins. This creates perfectly portioned servings and makes a lovely presentation for guests.
Make It Vegan:
- Replace the eggs with a flaxseed or chia seed egg substitute (1 tablespoon of ground seeds + 3 tablespoons of water per egg). Use plant-based milk and a vegan butter alternative for the custard and sauce.
Topping Twists:
- Replace the bourbon sauce with a caramel drizzle, a dollop of whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. For a lighter option, serve it with a scoop of vanilla yogurt.
Seasonal Swaps:
- Not a pumpkin fan? Substitute the pumpkin puree with mashed sweet potato or butternut squash. The result is equally delicious and perfect for the season.
These variations ensure you can make this Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding exactly the way you love it. The possibilities are endless—so get creative and make this recipe your own!
Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch Baking Dish – For baking the bread pudding.
- Mixing Bowls – A large one for the custard mixture and a medium one for optional toppings or sauce.
- 1 Whisk – To combine the custard ingredients thoroughly.
- 1 Spatula or Wooden Spoon – For mixing and pressing down the bread to soak the custard.
- Measuring cups and spoons – to ensure accurate ingredient measurements
- 1 Knife and Cutting Board – To cube the bread.
- Aluminum Foil – To cover the dish during part of the baking process.
- 1 Small Saucepan (optional) – For making the bourbon or caramel sauce.
- 1 Oven – To bake the bread pudding to perfection.
- 1 Cooling Rack – To let the bread pudding cool slightly before serving.
Ingredients
For the Bread Pudding:
- 1 Loaf (about 12 cups) of day-old brioche or challah bread, cubed
- 1¾ cups Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 4 Large eggs
- 2½ cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- ½ cup Brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 2½ tsp Pumpkin spice (or a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)
- ¼ tsp Salt
- Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, for added crunch
For the Optional Bourbon Sauce:
- ½ cup Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- ¼ cup Bourbon (or substitute with orange juice for a non-alcoholic version)
- 2 tbsp Heavy cream
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Bread
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish. If your bread isn’t dry, you can lightly toast it in the oven for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Mix the Custard
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla extract, pumpkin spice, and salt until smooth and well-combined.
- Pour the mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring every piece is coated. Gently press down with a spatula so the bread absorbs the custard. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 3: Bake
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crispy. The pudding should be set but still soft in the center.
Step 4: Make the Bourbon Sauce (Optional but Recommended!)
- While the pudding bakes, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth, then stir in the bourbon (or orange juice) and cream. Cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
- Drizzle the warm sauce over the bread pudding just before serving.
Notes
Storage and Reheating Tips
Leftover Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding? Lucky you! Proper storage ensures it stays fresh and delicious for days. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the pudding to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When it’s time to reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), cover the pudding with foil to retain moisture, and warm it for 10-15 minutes. For smaller portions, use a microwave—just heat in 30-second intervals until warm. To bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste, drizzle on some fresh sauce or topping right before serving.
The Perfect Fall Dessert: Let’s Hear How You Made It Your Own
Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding is more than just a dessert—it’s an experience that brings warmth and joy to your table. The soft, custard-soaked bread, the fragrant spices, and the indulgent drizzle of sauce come together to create a treat that feels like a hug in every bite. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones during the holidays or savoring a slice solo on a chilly evening, this dish is a celebration of everything we love about fall.
We can’t wait for you to try this recipe and make it your own! Add your favorite toppings, play with the flavors, or stick to the classic version—either way, it’s sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to share your results in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. And if you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to subscribe to Satisfy Your Cravings for more delicious ideas to brighten your day. Here’s to making every season as flavorful as this one!