The Best Apple Pie Bread Pudding

If you’re looking for something that will make your entire house smell AMAZING this fall, this apple pie bread pudding is it!

The combination of cinnamon, apples and vanilla baking together creates the most incredible aroma, better than any fall candle you could buy!

This is basically like having apple pie and bread pudding get married and have the most delicious baby ever.

The middle daughter who’s usually my picky eater had TWO servings!

The absolute best part is the final touch, drizzling warm caramel sauce all over the top before serving.

Some people call it butterscotch sauce, or brown sugar sauce.

Whatever name you give it, that rich, buttery topping takes this dessert from great to absolutely irresistible!

So, here’s a super duper easy fall dessert recipe you can share with your family after a long day.

Apple Bread Pudding – What You Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing bread pudding.

• Cubed bread
• Apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
• Eggs
• Vanilla yogurt
• Milk
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Sugar
• Raisins

For the sauce:

• Unsalted butter
• Heavy cream

How to Make Apple Pie Bread Pudding

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Bread pudding bakes best in a consistently hot oven, so this step is important to ensure even cooking throughout.

2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
A light coating of spray or a thin layer of butter is all you need so that the finished dessert lifts out easily when it’s time to serve.

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the vanilla yogurt, milk, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Be sure to whisk well so the eggs are fully incorporated and there are no streaks. The yogurt gives a slight tang and creamy texture that balances the sweetness of the sugar and spices.

4. Fold in the chopped apples and raisins, followed by the cubed bread.
Toss gently so that each piece of bread soaks up the custard. Avoid overmixing at this stage to maintain the structure of the bread pieces.

5. Pour the custard-soaked mixture evenly into your greased baking dish.
Spread it out with a spatula or the back of a spoon, pressing down just enough to make sure everything is evenly layered, but not so much that it gets packed down.

6. Mix the remaining cinnamon with a bit of sugar in a small bowl to create a spiced topping.
You can add a tiny pinch of salt if you want to balance the sweetness even more.

7. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the surface of the pudding.
This simple topping caramelizes while baking, creating a lightly crisp, sweet crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft custard underneath.

8. Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
You’ll know it’s done when the edges are golden and puffed and the center no longer jiggles when shaken gently. If you insert a knife into the center, it should come out mostly clean.

9. While the pudding is baking, prepare the rich caramel sauce on the stovetop.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar. Stir constantly as the butter melts and the sugar dissolves to prevent scorching.

10. Once everything is combined, increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Let it bubble for about 2 to 3 minutes, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens, this should take another 5 minutes.

It should coat the back of a spoon. Keep an eye on it and stir often.

11. When the bread pudding comes out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
This helps the custard set and makes it easier to slice and serve. It also gives you time to prepare your toppings.

12. Drizzle the warm caramel sauce generously over the top and, if you’re feeling fancy, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The combination of warm pudding, rich caramel, and cool ice cream is heavenly, perfect for family gatherings or a special brunch.

Helpful Tips

• For best texture: Use day-old or slightly stale bread so it absorbs more custard without getting soggy. If your bread is fresh, cube it and bake it at 350°F for 10–15 minutes until slightly dried out.
• To prep ahead: Assemble the bread pudding the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. In the morning, simply bake it fresh. The flavors develop even more overnight!

Apple Pie Bread Pudding Recipe