Give Bread Pudding A Sweet Twist With One Loaf Swap

You never know where magic might come from in the marvelous world of desserts. Sometimes, even stale bread and custard can have the taste buds spellbound. And yes, it's bread pudding we're talking about. It's simple and familiar and can be transformed to fit your cravings. The list of ingredients to elevate your bread pudding is endless, but if there's anything worth a try when you've got a sweet tooth, it's pumpkin bread.

Bread pudding doesn't exactly lack sweetness, but it's always been on the gentle side. When you swap out regular white bread for pumpkin bread, however, it's got layers upon layers of flavor intricacy coming together. Imagine the way pumpkin bread feels like a warm hug, and then picture that sweet warmth wrapped around the gooey, custardy heart of your bread pudding. That's what you're getting here. At the very base, you'll spot the bread's earthy sweet notes along with an autumny essence. In between the custard's creamy richness lies nuances from spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, lacing a subtle coziness through each decadent bite. Come fall and winter, when pumpkin bread is such a seasonal must-have, incorporating it into your rich bread pudding is a great way to enjoy it.

Pumpkin bread pudding isn't just delicious, it's also incredibly versatile. While you've already got the bread, just a few additions can give it the classic pumpkin pie twist you never knew it needed. Think pumpkin purée, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and other warm spices. You can even top the whole thing off with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or perhaps a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Those who want to both bulk up this dessert and nuance its flavor will find nuts to be a delightful pick. An extra layer of chopped walnuts or pecans is a delightful contrast with the soft bread underneath. Or perhaps you'd appreciate the chewy, slightly sticky tenderness of dried cranberries, dates, or raisins instead. They also carry a deep sweetness that makes for fun pops of flavors. Bring everything together with maple syrup or an apple caramel sauce and you've got an easy-peasy fall treat for desserts, breakfasts, and brunches.

Fall elements, as fascinating as they are, aren't the only options for sprucing up your pumpkin bread pudding. With dark chocolate melted right into the custardy cream, its bittersweet taste profile is sure to impress. A splash of bourbon can also make a huge difference, whether you're incorporating it straight into the bread or infusing it into a whipped cream topping.