Irresistible Pumpkin Bread Pudding: Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Fall Dessert

Indulge in the quintessential taste of autumn with our heavenly Pumpkin Bread Pudding, a dessert that perfectly captures the cozy essence of the season. Crafted from sturdy, crusty French bread and generously layered with a rich, spiced pumpkin custard, this decadent treat is then crowned with a luscious caramel sauce, creating an unforgettable sensory experience. It’s truly the perfect fall dessert, ideal for gatherings, holidays, or simply a comforting evening at home.

This pumpkin bread pudding recipe is not only incredibly delicious but also remarkably simple to prepare, making it a go-to choice for home bakers. Its inviting aromas will fill your kitchen as it bakes, signaling the arrival of fall flavors. For over a decade, this dish has been a cherished tradition in our household every autumn, always eagerly anticipated. If you love delightful bread puddings, you might also enjoy our Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding or the tropical twist of our Pineapple Bread Pudding.

Whether you prefer it adorned with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or enjoyed simply on its own, this pumpkin bread pudding is wonderfully versatile. It’s an excellent way to utilize leftover bread, or you can easily pick up a fresh loaf from your local bakery. The ease of assembly means you can have this delightful dessert ready with minimal fuss. For more seasonal delights, consider our Pumpkin Pie Cake Recipe and No Bake Pumpkin Pie Recipe – both fantastic options for Thanksgiving or any festive occasion. And for a fun activity with the little ones, don’t forget to try making Chocolate Acorns!

Why We Love This Recipe

• Full of Flavor. This Pumpkin Bread Pudding bursts with the warm, inviting flavors of fall. The harmonious blend of rich pumpkin puree, aromatic pumpkin pie spice, and sweet sugars creates a perfectly balanced custard that permeates every piece of crusty bread, ensuring a truly delicious and comforting experience with every bite.
• Frugal & Smart. Embrace smart cooking and minimize food waste with this economical recipe. Many of the required ingredients are likely already pantry staples, making it an accessible and budget-friendly choice. Furthermore, it’s an excellent opportunity to transform stale or day-old bread into a magnificent dessert, giving new life to forgotten loaves that might otherwise go to waste.
• Make Ahead Magic. Simplify your baking schedule with this convenient make-ahead option. You can effortlessly assemble the entire bread pudding mixture a day in advance, storing it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply transfer it to the oven and enjoy a freshly baked dessert with minimal last-minute effort, perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Crafting the perfect Pumpkin Bread Pudding starts with a selection of high-quality ingredients. Here are the key components that bring this delightful dessert to life:

• Brown Sugar. Adds a deep, molasses-rich sweetness and contributes to the pudding’s moist texture. You can even make our Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe for an extra touch.
• Granulated Sugar. Provides essential sweetness, complementing the richness of the brown sugar to create a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
• Large Eggs. Act as a crucial binding agent, creating the silky, custardy texture that defines a great bread pudding. Always use large eggs for consistent results.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice. This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves is the heart of the fall flavor, infusing the pudding with its signature warmth and aroma. You can also make your own homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice.
• Salt. A small but mighty ingredient that enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the best in the pumpkin and spices.
• Half and Half. Contributes significantly to the luxurious, creamy consistency of the pumpkin custard, making the bread pudding incredibly rich and indulgent.
• Milk. Works with the half and half to form the custard base, ensuring the bread soaks up enough liquid to become tender and flavorful without being overly dense.
• Pumpkin Puree. The star of the show! Use plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling) for authentic pumpkin flavor and a vibrant orange hue. We recommend a 15 oz can for this recipe.
• Vanilla Extract. A touch of pure vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor profile, adding a subtle depth and warmth that pairs beautifully with pumpkin and spices.
• Loaf of Crusty French Bread. The foundation of our bread pudding. A hearty, crusty bread, such as French bread, provides the perfect texture contrast, absorbing the custard while retaining a pleasant chewiness. A 16-ounce loaf is ideal.
• Caramel Sauce. The ultimate accompaniment for serving, adding a glistening, sweet, and slightly salty finish. Our Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe is highly recommended for an extra special touch.

For the full, precise measurements of each ingredient, please refer to the detailed recipe card located at the bottom of this page. We’ve ensured everything you need is listed there for your convenience.

How to Make Pumpkin Bread Pudding Recipe

Making this irresistible Pumpkin Bread Pudding is a straightforward process. Follow these easy steps to create a truly memorable fall dessert:

• Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) and spray a 9X13 baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray, preparing it for a seamless baking experience.

Step 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the packed brown sugar, granulated sugar, aromatic pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt until thoroughly blended, creating the foundational flavor base.

Step 3. Then, pour in the pre-beaten eggs and whisk vigorously until they are fully incorporated into the mixture.

Step 4. Stir in the half and half, milk, the entire can of pumpkin puree, and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and well combined to form the rich pumpkin custard.

Step 5. Cut the loaf of crusty French bread into bite-sized 1-inch cubes and place them into a separate, large mixing bowl, ensuring ample space for tossing.

Step 6. Pour the pumpkin mixture over the bread cubes and gently toss to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes, letting the bread fully absorb the delicious custard.

Step 7. Next, pour the custard-soaked bread mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out as evenly as possible for consistent baking and an appealing presentation.

Step 8. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Then, uncover and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is beautifully browned and the pudding is set.

Step 9. Serve your warm pumpkin bread pudding with a generous drizzle of caramel sauce on top. Enjoy this incredible fall treat!

Serving Suggestions

This delicious Pumpkin Bread Pudding is undoubtedly best served warm, fresh from the oven, when its aromas are most potent and its texture is perfectly tender. The star topping, in our opinion, is a generous drizzle of rich caramel sauce over each individual serving. You can choose between classic caramel for a pure sweet indulgence or opt for salted caramel sauce to add a delightful contrasting note that elevates the flavors even further. The warm pudding slightly melts the caramel, creating a truly decadent experience.

Beyond caramel, there are many other delightful ways to serve this versatile dessert. For a classic pairing, top each warm slice with a scoop of creamy No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream. The cold, smooth ice cream against the warm, spiced pudding is simply divine. Alternatively, a cloud of fluffy Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe adds an airy lightness and dairy richness that complements the robust pumpkin flavors. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other toppings like a sprinkle of toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon for extra flair!

Storage

Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious Pumpkin Bread Pudding for days to come. Any leftovers should be refrigerated promptly in an airtight container. When stored correctly, it will maintain its freshness and flavor for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. This dessert is wonderfully versatile and can be enjoyed equally well warm or cold, depending on your preference.

If you prefer to savor your bread pudding warm, there are a couple of excellent reheating methods. For a quick and easy option, simply place an individual serving in the microwave and heat until it’s warmed through to your liking. If you desire a slightly crispier top and a more oven-fresh experience, you can reheat larger portions in a preheated oven at a moderate temperature until thoroughly warm. This helps to restore some of its original texture.

Variations

This Pumpkin Bread Pudding recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with these variations to tailor it to your taste or what you have on hand:

• Plain Pumpkin Puree. This is a critical distinction for a successful pumpkin bread pudding. Always ensure you purchase plain pumpkin puree, not the pre-spiced pumpkin pie mix. The pie mix contains a medley of added seasonings and often sugar that can throw off the carefully balanced flavors of this recipe. Using plain puree gives you complete control over the spice profile, allowing you to tailor it perfectly.
• Homemade Pumpkin Puree. For an even fresher and more robust pumpkin flavor, consider making your own homemade pumpkin puree. It’s surprisingly simple to prepare and offers a wonderful depth of taste that canned puree sometimes lacks. Plus, it freezes beautifully, allowing you to have natural pumpkin on hand whenever the craving strikes, making your bread pudding truly special.
• Nuts. Introduce a delightful textural contrast and an extra layer of flavor by incorporating chopped nuts. Before baking, fold in ½ to 1 cup of finely chopped walnuts or pecans into the bread pudding mixture. These nuts toast lightly as the pudding bakes, adding a satisfying crunch and a nutty, earthy undertone that complements the sweet pumpkin and spices beautifully.
• Heavy Cream. Elevate the richness of your bread pudding by substituting heavy cream for the half and half. This simple swap will result in an even more decadent and luxurious custard, yielding a remarkably creamy and indulgent dessert that’s perfect for a special occasion or a truly comforting treat.
• Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice. Take control of your spice blend by easily crafting homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice. Instead of relying on store-bought versions, you can blend individual spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice to your exact preference. This allows for a fresher, more potent spice profile and can be a cost-effective alternative to pre-mixed options.
• Bread. While crusty French bread is recommended, this recipe is quite forgiving and works well with various artisan breads. Consider substituting a rustic sourdough bread for a tangy depth of flavor, or perhaps a sweet challah bread for an extra rich and tender pudding. Baguettes also work wonderfully. The key is to choose a hearty, slightly stale bread that can effectively absorb the custard without becoming mushy, ensuring a delightful texture in every bite.
• Dried Fruit. For an added burst of sweetness and chewy texture, include dried fruits like raisins. Add ½ cup to 1 cup of raisins (or dried cranberries for a tart counterpoint) to the bread mixture before baking, adjusting the quantity to your personal preference. They bake beautifully into the pudding, providing lovely pockets of concentrated fruit flavor that enhance the overall experience.

Pro Tips

Mastering your Pumpkin Bread Pudding is easy with these expert tips, designed to ensure perfect results every time:

• Prep Crusty Bread with Ease. Dealing with very crusty bread can sometimes be a bit challenging and messy when cutting. To simplify this, simply wrap your loaf of bread tightly in a plastic bag a day before you plan to use it. This small step allows the bread to soften slightly, making it significantly easier to slice into clean, uniform cubes without crumbling or excessive effort. This ensures a smoother prep process.
• Effortless Make-Ahead Option. This bread pudding is an ideal candidate for preparing in advance, which is fantastic for holiday planning or busy schedules. Simply assemble the entire dish, pouring the custard-soaked bread into your baking dish, then cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next day, you can bake it as usual, saving you valuable time and allowing the flavors to meld even further for a more robust taste.
• Achieve a Golden-Brown Top. For that inviting golden-brown crust and a slightly firmer top layer, remember to remove the aluminum foil from the baking dish during the final 10-15 minutes of baking. This allows the direct heat to caramelize the top surface, adding a beautiful visual appeal and a pleasant textural contrast to the soft interior of the bread pudding. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
• Customize Moisture Level. If you prefer your bread pudding to be exceptionally moist or ‘wetter’ in consistency, you can easily adjust the liquid content. Simply add an extra ½ cup of liquid to the custard mixture. You can use additional milk, heavy cream, or half and half, depending on your desired richness. Just be aware that adding extra liquid will result in a softer, less set pudding compared to the original recipe, so adjust according to your texture preference.

More Easy Pumpkin Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with pumpkin, explore these other delightful and easy pumpkin-inspired recipes:

• Pumpkin Pie Cake
• Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie
• Easy Pumpkin Delight Recipe
• Pumpkin Pie Tacos
• Starbucks Pumpkin Scones Recipe
• Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins Recipe

As you can see, crafting this delightful Pumpkin Bread Pudding is a truly rewarding experience, offering incredible flavor with minimal fuss. Featuring a simple list of readily available ingredients and a straightforward preparation process, this recipe is designed for success. We encourage you to try it today and bring the comforting tastes of autumn into your home. Don’t forget to come back and leave a comment to share your experience – we’d love to hear how much you enjoyed this irresistible fall dessert!