Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding
This cozy and indulgent dessert combines cubes of tender brioche bread soaked in a creamy pumpkin-spiced custard, baked to golden perfection. Topped with a decadent bourbon sauce or your favorite drizzle, it’s the perfect treat for fall gatherings, holiday celebrations, or a simple sweet indulgence at home. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, this Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding is sure to become a seasonal favorite!
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.