The Story & Intro
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. When autumn sweeps across the States, the air fills with the scent of cinnamon, apples, and caramel and that’s when I can’t resist baking my Caramel Apple Bread Pudding.
I still remember the first time I made this dish in my small Paris apartment. It was raining outside, I had a basket of bruised apples from the market, and instead of tossing them out, I decided to give them new life. I tore up leftover baguette, whisked some eggs, milk, and sugar, and poured warm caramel on top. The result? Magic. ✨
Now, every fall in my American kitchen, this Caramel Apple Bread Pudding becomes a sweet ritual. The smell of caramel bubbling in the pan, apples softening into golden perfection, and the bread soaking up all that creamy goodness it’s pure comfort in a dish. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or craving a cozy dessert after a long day, this pudding promises to steal the spotlight.
The best part? It’s so easy! You don’t need fancy ingredients or special skills just day-old bread, a few crisp apples, and the love that makes every dessert taste like home. 🍏💛
If you love fall flavors and crave something warm and comforting, Caramel Apple Bread Pudding is your go-to dessert. It’s indulgent, golden, and drizzled with rich caramel sauce that tastes like a hug. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients 🧂
For the Bread Pudding:
- 5 cups day-old bread (brioche or challah works best), cubed
- 3 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- A pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ cup heavy cream (warm)
- A pinch of sea salt
Step-by-Step Instructions 👩🍳
Step 1: Prepare the bread
Cube your day-old bread and place it in a large mixing bowl. Slightly stale bread absorbs custard better, giving your Caramel Apple Bread Pudding a creamy yet firm texture.
Step 2: Cook the apples
In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add diced apples. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar and a dash of cinnamon. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until the apples soften and caramelize slightly. Set aside.
Step 3: Make the custard
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
Step 4: Combine
Pour the custard mixture over the cubed bread. Let it sit for about 15 minutes so the bread can soak up all that goodness. Gently fold in the sautéed apples.
Step 5: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Pour the bread and apple mixture into the dish and drizzle melted butter over the top. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes or until golden brown and set in the center.
Step 6: Make the caramel sauce
While the pudding bakes, prepare your caramel. In a saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts and turns amber. Carefully add butter (it will bubble!) and whisk until smooth. Slowly pour in the warm cream and stir until combined. Remove from heat and stir in a pinch of sea salt.
Step 7: Serve & drizzle
Once baked, let the pudding cool for about 10 minutes. Slice a warm piece, drizzle generously with homemade caramel sauce, and enjoy the sweet aroma of fall in every bite. 🍮✨
Serving Suggestions 🍽️
- Warm & Fresh: Serve straight from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Make It Brunch-Worthy: Add a drizzle of maple syrup and serve with coffee for a cozy morning treat.
- Holiday Twist: Sprinkle with chopped pecans or a dash of bourbon in the caramel sauce for an adult upgrade.
This Caramel Apple Bread Pudding tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave, and it’s as heavenly as fresh!
Tips & Notes 📝
- Use brioche or challah for the softest, richest pudding.
- If your bread is fresh, cube it and bake for 10 minutes at 300°F to dry it slightly.
- Want it lighter? Swap half the cream for milk.
- Add raisins or chopped walnuts for extra texture.
- Always serve with warm caramel cold caramel will harden and lose its silky finish.
Recipe Card 📇
🕒 Time Cook: 15 min prep + 45 min bake (1 hour total)
🍞 Ingredients: Bread, apples, eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter
👩🍳 Instructions: Mix, soak, bake, drizzle with caramel
📝 Notes: Use day-old bread for best texture
🔥 Nutrition (per serving):
- Calories: 410
- Carbs: 56g
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 18g
- Sugar: 42g
Conclusion 💛
There’s something magical about Caramel Apple Bread Pudding. It’s rustic yet elegant, simple yet rich. Every bite captures the essence of cozy autumn evenings the sweetness of apples, the warmth of cinnamon, and the comfort of soft bread bathed in golden caramel.
For me, it’s more than dessert it’s a hug from home, a memory of Paris mingled with the flavors of American fall. Whether you serve it for Thanksgiving, Sunday dinner, or a lazy afternoon, this pudding will make everyone at your table feel loved.
So, tie your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s make some caramel dreams come true! 🍎✨
Short 100-Word Story Version
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a French girl who traded Paris for the cozy kitchens of America. When fall arrives, I crave my Caramel Apple Bread Pudding a heartwarming mix of soft bread, tender apples, and buttery caramel. I first made it on a rainy day in Paris with leftover baguette and bruised apples. Now, it’s my favorite fall dessert, reminding me that comfort can be baked right at home. Every bite is sweet nostalgia golden, warm, and absolutely irresistible. 🍏💛