Apple Cardamom Bread Pudding is the best bread pudding we have ever had! This Apple Cardamom Bread Pudding recipe has sweet apples and citrusy cardamom for an indulgent dessert perfect for your next dinner party!
Please welcome our guest Karista Bennett, who is sharing her recipe for Apple Cardamom Bread and Butter Pudding. Karista is a chef and food writer cooking fresh Pacific Northwest recipes, served with a side of comfort. You can see more of her work on Karista’s Kitchen.
It feels like a special gift to walk through my house and catch the scent of Apple Cardamom Bread Pudding baking in my oven. The sweet fragrance of the apples and the spicy citrus of cardamom hangs in the air and fills my kitchen with food love.
What is Bread Pudding?
Bread pudding has always been one of my most cherished dessert recipes. It has the best of everything. A creamy custard, slices or pieces of bread, spices, sometimes fruit or jam and of course, butter. And let’s not forget the toppings!
What are the best toppings for bread pudding?
Sometimes my bread pudding gets a dollop of whipped cream and sometimes a drizzle of maple syrup. But most of the time, I’m happy with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a large spoon.
How do you make Bread Pudding?
Apple Cardamom Bread and Butter Pudding is a simple recipe to prepare. Just like a traditional bread pudding, using day old bread (or even older) is best. I like to let my prepared bread pudding rest in the refrigerator overnight. But if you’re in a hurry, letting it sit for about an hour will work just fine.
If you’ve got ripe pears on the kitchen counter, they make a lovely alternative to apples and also pair deliciously with cardamom.
What is the best Bread to use for Bread Pudding?
For bread pudding, it is best a sturdy bread that won’t fall apart when soaked in the custard. To make the best bread pudding, it is best to use a Brioche, Challah, or French Bread.
Why is it called bread pudding?
Bread pudding was most likely invented as a way to use up stale bread rather than let it go to waste. Since the custard soaks into the bread, bread pudding is actually even better with stale bread.
Apple Cardamom Bread and Butter Pudding is an enchanting dessert for any season. But it feels especially festive during the holidays.
Cheers to making your holidays merry and bright… and just a bit more indulgent. If you like this recipe, be sure to follow Karista on Instagram! And if you are a food lover, be sure to follow Fox and Briar as well!
Other Dessert Recipes you may like:
Raspberry Swirl Brownie Sundae for Two
Apple Cardamom Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 8-10 slices bread
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 cup apples finely diced
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup whole milk room temp
- 1/2 cup heavy cream room temp
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
For Serving (Optional)
- maple syrup
- apple butter
Instructions
- Butter an 8x8 baking dish. Cut each slice of bread in half diagonally or lengthwise.
- Mix together the two tablespoons of butter and maple syrup and spread it on each slice of bread.
- Cover the bottom of the baking dish, either flat or slightly layered against each other, with bread slices, buttered side up. You can be as simple or as fancy with the layering of the bread. Just have fun with it!
- Then sprinkle with some diced apples. Repeat the process, ending with just slices of bread. I usually have three layers of bread, but two layers works just as well.
- Whisk together the eggs, sugar, heavy cream, cardamom and vanilla and then pour it over the bread slices. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight for best results.
- To bake, pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and then put it into the oven. Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until the pudding is done.
- Let the pudding rest for about 10 minutes and then dust with the powdered sugar.
- Serve with maple syrup or apple butter.
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Janet says
This was AMAZING. I took the pear suggestion and my whole family went wild over it. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Meghan says
So glad you loved it Janet!