Pumpkin Bread Pudding is a fantastic pumpkin dessert recipe perfect for fall and Thanksgiving! Â
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Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Fall is my absolute favorite season. Something about the crisp air, comforting food, soups, and of course warm spices like pumpkin spice make me so happy.Â
I just want to curl up with a blanket, coffee, and delicious food.Â
This Pumpkin Bread Pudding is filled with fall flavors and a great way to warm up and enjoy the season.
A creamy, pumpkin loaded custard is mixed with fresh pumpkin bread.
While pumpkin spice lattes may be popular, I love using the flavors of pumpkin spice in different recipes. It is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.Â
The warmth of these spices is what makes them perfect for fall baking and cooking. Find more pumpkin spice recipes here!
Ingredients
Here is what you need to make this recipe:
- Pumpkin Bread
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Heavy Cream
- Milk
- Pumpkin Puree
- Bourbon (optional)
- Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Nutmeg
- Pecans
Pumpkin Bread – I love to use a homemade pumpkin bread. You can use store bought, or even a non-pumpkin version like French bread. But a pumpkin bread is best to really drive home the flavors!
Pumpkin Puree – Make sure you are using the puree and not pie filling!
Instruction Overview
This pumpkin dessert recipe is made by tossing bread in a mixture of pumpkin puree, cream, milk, chopped pecans, and spices.Â
I love using pumpkin bread or pumpkin spice bread for extra fall flavors, but you can use any bread you want or have. 8 cups of bread might seem like a lot, but in such large cubes, a loaf from a 9.5 inch baking dish was perfect.Â
Let it all sit together for a little bit while preheating the oven. The bread soaks up a lot of the custard mixture and makes a soft texture. I like to add the pecans for a little crunch, but you could leave them out or sub them for another nut like walnuts.Â
This would also be great by adding some dried fruits in the mixture like cranberries.
Then bake until it has puffed up and there is a very slight jiggle in the middle.
The Pumpkin Bread Pudding can be assembled and kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking if desired, but it is so fast to put together that I normally make it right when I need it.
Modifications and Substitutions
Pumpkin Bread – use any plain bread if needed, but pumpkin bread really drives the flavor forward!
Bourbon – great for warmth but can be skipped
Pecans – walnuts are a great swap but not quite as sweet
Heavy Cream – don’t have any? Use more whole milk and add a couple Tablespoons of melted butter (not mandatory but helps keep some richness you are losing)
Serving
Serve it warm with some ice cream, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or anything else you can think of!
FAQs
Do you put eggs in bread pudding?
Is pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling the same thing?
Pie filling has added flavors and ingredients.
We are adding select ingredients to our mixture, so you want to start with a plain pumpkin puree.
Is bread pudding supposed to be moist?
Can you overcook bread pudding?
Should bread pudding be served warm or cold?
Is it OK to leave bread pudding out overnight?
Troubleshooting
Why is my bread pudding watery?
My bread pudding is dry
The best option for a quick fix is adding a little more milk, poured on top, and to let it soak into the crevices for a few minutes. It should help loosen up the custard that IS there and bring some moisture back.
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Equipment
- Bread Knife
- 9×13 inch Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 8 cups pumpkin spice bread cut into 1.5 inch cubes (a 9.5 inch loaf works well)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup bourbon optional
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Cut the bread into 1.5 inch cubes. Set aside.8 cups pumpkin spice bread
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add the bread and toss to coat.4 large eggs, 1 large egg yolk, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups whole milk, 15 ounces pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup bourbon, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Coat a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour the bread pudding mixture into the dish. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- Bake the pudding on the lower middle rack until it is golden brown and puffing up around the edges, with a slight jiggle in the middle, approximately 45-50 minutes.
- Let cool for 30-45 minutes before serving warm. Top with additional pecans if desired. This pudding is great served with whipped cream or ice cream.
Pumpkin spice and pecans – two of our favourites! We get so many pecans from neighbours, so this is perfect.
I also love fall so much. The way nature just prepares for winter with all the crazy foliage colours, ahh so beautiful. And I love seasonal foods, so I’m totally in for these pumpkin-everything variations. That’s just heaven for me. And your recipe is heaven, too. Can’t wait to try it!
This is fall comfort food right here! Pumpkin spice and everything nice in this delicious dish. Fantastic!
Yummm loaded with pumpkin spice and everything nice, this pumpkin bread pudding looks delicious!
I am obsessed with all fall recipes! I have yet to try a pumpkin bread pudding and this looks delicious!! Can’t wait to try this!
Yum! All of the flavors of fall are in this recipe. I will make this soon and enjoy it with a piping hot cup of coffee!
I’ve never tried Pumpkin Bread Pudding, but this recipe looks absolutely scrumptious! I’m loving the fluffy chunks of bread and all the crunch from the Pecans!
I have never tried pumpkin bread pudding before. So delicious and flavorful. thanks for sharing.
WOW!! Pumpkin bread pudding made with pumpkin spice bread, you can get more decadent than that. This is something I need in my life ASAP!! I will be topping it with ice cream and salted caramel. Pinning this for later…Great Recipe.
That pumpkin bread pudding looks divine! I make pumpkin bread every year but never thought of pumpkin bread pudding. Genius!
YUM! This sounds so comforting! I need to save this for Christmas morning!