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Pumpkin Bread Pudding

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Pumpkin Bread Pudding is a great fall dessert. Leftover bread combines with a pumpkin custard for a luscious way to end a meal!

Overhead view of a plated slice of bread pudding next to a baking dish of pumpkin bread pudding

Even though the holidays are looking and definitely feeling very different this year, doesn’t mean that I’m not still all about festive fall desserts that are loaded with cozy seasonal spices – and of course pumpkin.

Although we’re not having our traditional Thanksgiving family dinner this year, I am still going to whip up one heck of a meal. I will admit though that I am a little behind on planning that meal, but I’m going to get organized this week.

One thing I know for sure is that it will include pumpkin roll, pumpkin crunch cake and quite possibly this Pumpkin Bread Pudding.

I first shared this recipe for Pumpkin Bread Pudding from my friend Megan of the blog Stetted several years ago. I remade it recently and felt it was time to remind all of you how delicious it is as well. 

Ingredients for pumpkin bread pudding on a countertop

MEGAN’S PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING

I’m a huge fan of pumpkin, and have been since before those PSLs came around.

I always keep some pumpkin on hand in the pantry, just in case I get a craving for pumpkin charlotte, pumpkin pancakes, or pumpkin cheesecake. (Pro tip: Target always has pumpkin on clearance after Thanksgiving, and it has a long shelf life!)

Pumpkin custard being whisked together in a white bowl

But while I might be craving a nice slice of pie, I don’t generally crave making a pie crust. Pie crust and I have a history. Pie crust has made me cry.

So, I allow pie crust into my life every once in a while, but I like to look for alternatives to get that pumpkin fix. This time, I knew just what to do, thanks to the leftover loaf of bread on the counter.

Pumpkin bread pudding in a white baking dish, ready to be baked

Pumpkin Bread Pudding comes together really easily, and because you have that creaminess already coming from the pumpkin to add to the custard, you don’t need to add as much milk or eggs as you would in a regular bread pudding. 

I’m not going to call this dessert healthy, but it’s healthy-er? Healthy-ish? Let’s just go with the fact it’s delicious.

Close-up of baked pumpkin bread pudding in a white baking dish

HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING

You can use any bread you like to make this Pumpkin Bread Pudding. I used an artisan loaf from Costco, but this would be especially good with challah or even a brioche. 

Just don’t use sliced sandwich bread, please! You need a loaf from the bakery section for this.

Overhead view of baked pumpkin bread pudding in a white baking dish

If your bread is a bit stale, that’s even better.

Grab a bowl and whisk together these ingredients for the custard:

  • Milk
  • Brown sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Eggs
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom 
  • Salt
Slice of pumpkin bread pudding next to a fork on a dark plate

If you don’t have all of the individual spices on hand, you could use 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice instead.

Cut the bread as evenly as possible into 1-inch cubes.  Stir with the custard and make sure you don’t leave any pieces uncoated with the custard mixture. 

Let the whole thing rest for at least 30 minutes. The longer you let it rest, the more the bread will soak up the liquid, so this is a perfect dessert to make ahead and leave in the fridge before baking.

Slice of pumpkin bread pudding topped with whipped cream next to a fork on a plate

HOW TO SERVE THIS BREAD PUDDING

There’s no wrong way to serve Pumpkin Bread Pudding. If you like, you can top it with a tasty whiskey butter sauce that I like to use for waffles. Salted caramel sauce would be delicious as well. 

Or just stick with ice cream or homemade whipped cream!

And, just so you know, Pumpkin Bread Pudding is just as good cold as it is warm. Putting that out there just in case there are leftovers.

Caramel sauce being drizzled over a slice of pumpkin bread pudding topped with whipped cream
Slice of pumpkin bread pudding topped with whipped cream next to a fork on a plate

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Pumpkin bread pudding is a great fall dessert. Leftover bread combines with a pumpkin custard for a luscious way to end a meal!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups milk 
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar 
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup 
  • 4 eggs 
  • 1 15-ounce can pumpkin (or just under 2 cups fresh pumpkin puree) 
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg 
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/2 pound artisan bread loaf, challah, or sourdough, cubed (7-8 cups) 
  • Optional for serving: Ice cream, whipped cream, whiskey butter sauce, caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, eggs, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt until well blended. 
  2. Add bread and stir carefully to combine, making sure there are no dry pieces remaining. 
  3. Lightly coat an 8x8 square baking dish with nonstick spray. Pour the bread into the dish, arranging evenly in the pan. Pour any leftover custard over the top. 
  4. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or in the refrigerator overnight. 
  5. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap and bake for 35-40 minutes. 
  6. Let cool slightly and serve with your favorite topping. 
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1 slice
Amount Per Serving Calories 298Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 109mgSodium 380mgCarbohydrates 45gFiber 2gSugar 21gProtein 9g

Did you make this recipe?

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Brielle Sinclair

Sunday 3rd of September 2023

Funny enough, I don’t even like pumpkin but pumpkin bread pudding has always been my favorite since I was young . I Came across this recipe. Probably like two years ago. It just was absolutely fantastic. I am also gluten-free now as well, and I subbed it for gluten-free bread, and it works deliciously. My only suggestion is to add some vanilla. also for a little pizzazz I love adding raisins or golden raisins. This recipe is absolutely fantastic and is such a good warming comforting treat. Definitely a fall. Spooky movie night favorite. My go to way to serve it is either with whip cream (I usually make dairy free whipped cream) or homemade caramel sauce. Definitely suggest the caramel sauce. Especially homemade it’s not that hard and it’s totally worth it. Enjoy!!!

Jamie

Friday 8th of September 2023

So happy to hear you enjoyed it, Brielle! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking! Jamie

Cheryl J

Thursday 9th of March 2023

I made this just as the recipe directed, and it was wonderful. I added see salt caramel topping as suggested, and also some caramel frozen custard. So delicious!! I will be making this many more times. Thank you

Jamie

Wednesday 15th of March 2023

So glad you enjoyed, Cheryl! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking! Jamie

Meredith

Friday 21st of October 2022

I’m wondering if this will work with biscuits??

Jamie

Tuesday 25th of October 2022

Hi Meredith – I have not attempted this recipe with that substitution, so I can't attest to the results. If you give it a try, I'd love to know how it turns out. Happy baking! Jamie

Marlena

Monday 25th of April 2022

This was an amazing recipe! I made this for my Thanksgiving dinner, and it was delicious! I will definitely keep this on-hand as a Thanksgiving dessert (or breakfast hahahahaha)!

When I did it, I used 369 g of brioche bread. I figured I would post that for others who want to try this recipe.

Jamie

Tuesday 26th of April 2022

I'm so glad you loved the recipe, Marlena! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback. Happy baking! -Jamie

Sandy

Monday 21st of February 2022

Delicious - a super easy way to get close to pumpkin pie without the hassle. I loved this recipe because you kept it simple and budget friendly, unlike many bread pudding recipes out there. Bread pudding started out as a way to not waste stale bread. That is why my mother made it, and it's why I make it. So many BP recipes have gotten away from those humble origins and call for fancy ingredients and multiple steps. I did not even use the bakery brought bread you recommend, and it turned out great! A couple other modifications I made - my husband doesn't eat cinnamon because he is on blood thinners so I switched out the spices for a teaspoon of vanilla. I also traded the maple syrup for double the brown sugar because that is what I had on hand, and I let it sit for just a few minutes, making sure all bread was soaked through before baking, as I always do. I always sprinkle a mixture of brown sugar and ground flax on top before baking too - makes a bubbly delicious crust. Just finished what was left over with ice cream. Yuum!

Jamie

Monday 21st of February 2022

So happy to hear you enjoyed the bread pudding, Sandy! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback! -Jamie

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