Make this Apple Bread Pudding recipe in a slow cooker or in the oven. Serve it warm with ice cream and caramel syrup on top.
This bread pudding is a delicious dessert, and we love it with vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup on top. You can also serve it for breakfast with maple syrup!
What You’ll Find Here
Tonia’s Notes
I love everything about apple season, from the bowl of fresh apples on my kitchen counter to the trips to the apple orchard with my family. And I especially love apple desserts!
I’ve also come to the realization that caramel apples are very important to me, so it should not come as a surprise that this recipe for apple bread pudding also includes caramel!
How To Make Bread Pudding
Mix together the granulated sugar and two teaspoons of cinnamon. Sprinkle it over the diced apples and stir to coat. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, half-n-half, apple sauce, caramel ice cream topping, brown sugar, vanilla extract, two teaspoons of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Make the bottom layer in a greased crock pot liner or casserole dish by spreading four cups of the cubed bread on the bottom.
Sprinkle with one cup of the diced apples and a quarter cup of the chopped walnuts. Pour half of the egg mixture over the bottom layer.
Make the top layer by adding the remaining ingredients in the same order. Gently stir everything to coat the bread with the egg mixture.
Slow Cooker: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Uncover and cook for 10 minutes to help absorb any extra liquid.
Oven: Bake it in a preheated oven at 350° for 50-55 minutes. You can cover it with foil during the last 20 minutes to prevent it from getting too browned.
Apple Bread Pudding For Dessert
Serve the bread pudding warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a drizzle of caramel topping. You can put this slow cooker apple bread pudding cooking a few hours before dinner, and once everyone is done eating, the dessert is warm and ready to go. All you need to do is grab the ice cream from the freezer and serve the bread pudding!
Apple French Toast Casserole
You could also make this slow cooker recipe for a holiday breakfast brunch because it is essentially the same thing as a French toast casserole. Instead of ice cream, serve it with maple syrup and whipped cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a crusty, hearty bread such as French bread, Italian bread, brioche, or challah.
Yes, the main ingredient in bread pudding is cubed bread!
More Bread Pudding
- Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding is the perfect way to use leftover bread!
- This Blueberry Bread Pudding with lemon sauce is a delicious dessert.
- Chocolate Turtle Bread Pudding is a warm, comforting dessert.
Apple Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoon ground cinnamon divided
- 2 cups diced Granny Smith apples
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup half-n-half
- ½ cup apple sauce
- ½ cup caramel syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 8 cups cubed day-old hearty bread such as French, challah or brioche
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mix together the granulated sugar and two teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Sprinkle it over the diced apples and stir to coat. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, half-n-half, apple sauce, caramel syrup, brown sugar, vanilla extract, two teaspoons of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Make the bottom layer in a greased slow cooker or casserole dish by spreading four cups of the cubed bread on the bottom. Sprinkle with one cup of the diced apples and a quarter cup of the chopped walnuts. Pour half of the egg mixture over the bottom layer.
- Make the top layer by adding the remaining ingredients in the same order.
- Gently stir everything to coat the bread with the egg mixture.
- Crockpot: Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Uncover and cook for 10 minutes to help absorb the extra liquid.
- Oven: Bake it in a preheated oven at 350° for 50-55 minutes. You can cover it with foil during the last 20 minutes to prevent it from getting too browned.
- Serve warm with powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, and caramel syrup. Or, when serving it for breakfast, use maple syrup and whipped cream.
Susan Connors says
Hello Tonia,
Thanks for the recipe, Love apple pie and bread pudding what a great combination. Its in the crockpot as we speak, can’t wait to try it!
Thanks again.
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats says
Easy gorgeous crockpot desserts are simply amazing! I can picture this for Christmas or Thanksgiving morning.
Tonia says
I totally agree! Thanks, Laura!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
This is GORGEOUS. Also? Slow cooker desserts rock!
Tonia says
I totally get it! I’m eating fresh apples for snacks and in salads but I’m baking up a storm with apples and loving every minute! Thanks, Jessia!
Maryanne @ the little epicurean says
I love that last photo where you are drizzling on the caramel!
Tonia says
Thanks so much Maryanne! Good thing for tripods, right?
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
My goodness, this looks downright heavenly! The shot of you drizzling the caramel….swoon!
Tonia says
Thanks Ashlyn! I love warm comforting dessert and then the ice cream and caramel make it even better!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
This is awesome! Looks so tempting! The vanilla ice cream and caramel on top made it perfect! Great photos too!
Tonia says
Thanks Andi! It’s my favorite way to eat it!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
I am so glad that apple season has arrived! 🙂 And bonus for being a slow cooker dessert! I use my slow cooker so much during the fall for like everything. Can’t wait to give this recipe a go soon!
Tonia says
My too! I love fall and I love using my slow cooker! Thanks, Carrie!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Just stunning, Tonia – it’s fall in a slow cooker!
Tonia says
Yes it is and it’s my favorite season! Thanks so much, Melanie!
Lisa @ Wine & Glue says
This looks amazing Tonia!! I LOVE bread pudding!!!! I can’t wait to try this! Pinned 🙂
Tonia says
It’s such a simple, classic dessert but so yummy! Thanks, Lisa!
Liz says
Love this recipe. Thank you Tonia. Have a good week.
Tonia says
It’s been a busy week but a great one! We are really enjoying fall in Minnesota. Thank you so much, Liz!