Apple Rum Raisin Bread Pudding

Tested & Perfected Recipes

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.

Settle in for a comforting treat with my apple rum raisin bread pudding, featuring tart apples, rum-soaked raisins, and a vanilla-cinnamon custard baked into soft challah—just right for a chilly autumn night.

Dish of apple rum raising bread pudding.

This twist on classic bread pudding is the ultimate cozy dessert for a chilly autumn night. Made with challah bread, a vanilla and cinnamon-scented custard, tart apples, and plump rum-soaked raisins, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, boozy, and tart. Serve it warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a comforting and satisfying treat.

If you’re a fan of the apple and raisin combo, you may also enjoy either this Amish-style baked oatmeal or morning glory baked oatmeal — both are a comforting and filling way to start your day, or my apple strudel which is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

“The best bread pudding we have ever had! Dish cleaned out. Not a crumb left.”

Renee

What You’ll Need To Make Apple Rum Raisin Bread Pudding

apple rum raisin bread pudding ingredients
  • Raisins: Infuse the pudding with bursts of sweetness and chewy texture.
  • Rum: Imparts a warm and complex layer of flavor to the pudding. Either dark or spiced rum works nicely.
  • Eggs: Bind the pudding together, providing structure and richness.
  • Whole Milk: Creates a creamy base for the pudding, ensuring a moist and tender texture.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the pudding, balancing the flavors and enhancing its overall richness.
  • Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the pudding, contributing to its indulgent texture.
  • Cinnamon: Provides a warm and aromatic element that complements the sweetness of the pudding.
  • Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the pudding with its sweet notes.
  • Challah or Brioche Cubes: Serve as the base of the pudding, soaking up the custard mixture and providing a soft and fluffy texture.
  • Apple: Adds a fruity and slightly tangy flavor to the pudding. I recommend a large tart baking apple (such as Granny Smith).
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-By-Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place the raisins and rum in a shallow bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Let the raisins soak in the rum while you prepare the other ingredients.

raisins soaking in rum

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the milk, sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla.

milk, sugar, butter, bourbon, vanilla and salt added to beaten eggs

Whisk until evenly combined.

custard mixture for bread pudding

Add the challah cubes, sliced apples and raisins/rum mixture.

adding bread, raisins, and apples

Stir to combine.

bread pudding mixture

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, making sure the apples and raisins are evenly distributed. Let stand for at least 1 hour or refrigerate overnight.

apple rum raisin bread pudding ready to bake

Bake until the top is golden and puffy and the center is set, 55 to 60 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can bread pudding be made ahead?

Sure! The bread pudding can be assembled and refrigerated overnight. It can go straight from the fridge to the oven when you’re ready to serve it. (Because it will be cold, it may take an extra minute or two in the oven.)

Can I freeze bread pudding?

Yep, it’s perfectly fine to freeze bread pudding for up to 3 months. After baking it and completely cooling, double-wrap the bread pudding securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Before serving, reheat in a 300°F-oven until warmed through.

Can I use a different bread in bread pudding?

Enriched breads like challah and brioche are the best breads to use for bread pudding, but if you have a loaf of French or Italian bread, they’ll work too. Just avoid using sourdough because its tangy flavor doesn’t go well with the sweet custard. The bread can be fresh or slightly stale; actually day-old bread is perfect for this dessert, as it will more readily soak up the custard mixture.

Dish of apple rum raising bread pudding.

You May Also Like

Apple Rum Raisin Bread Pudding

Settle in for a comforting treat with my apple rum raisin bread pudding, featuring tart apples, rum-soaked raisins, and a vanilla-cinnamon custard baked into soft challah—just right for a chilly autumn night.

Servings: 6-8
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 55 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour 25 Minutes

Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup raisins
  • 2 tablespoons dark or spiced rum
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 cups packed challah or brioche cubes, from one loaf with crust removed (you won't use entire loaf)
  • 1 large tart baking apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, cut into ⅛-inch slices and then cut in half
  • Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Place the raisins and rum in a shallow bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Let the raisins soak in the rum while you prepare the other ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the milk, sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla and whisk until evenly combined. Add the challah cubes, sliced apples and raisins/rum mixture and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, making sure the apples and raisins are evenly distributed. Let stand for at least 1 hour or refrigerate overnight.
  4. Bake until the top is golden and puffy and the center is set, 55 to 60 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
  5. Note: The nutritional information does not include the ice cream
  6. Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The bread pudding can be assembled and refrigerated for a few hours and up to overnight. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, double-wrap it securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap or in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Before serving, reheat in the oven until warm.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (8 servings)
  • Calories: 354
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated fat: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Sugar: 39 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Sodium: 253 mg
  • Cholesterol: 126 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

See more recipes:

Comments

  • Hi Jen,
    Do you think I can use raisin challah insted of plain Challah for this recipe? Your recipes are awesome and very easy to follow. Love it.
    Thank you!

    • Hi Sank, Absolutely, I think raisin challah will work well.

  • This is a desert you’ll never forget. Apple rum raisin bread pudding. I am going to make it this weekend and top it off with vanilla ice cream. this is for those with impeccable taste. ” Just Scrumptious”

  • How far in advance do you think this could could be made– and then cooked while dinner is served –so it will be piping hot? I’ve made it before and yum, but thinking for a dinner party this weekend…

    • Hi Jen, You can make it the night before or in the morning and refrigerate it. Then just bake it when you’re ready to serve.

  • Whipped it up tonight, very simple and delicious. One of the best bread and butter pudding recipes I’ve used. Will defiantly make again, may add a little less sugar next time other than that couldn’t fault it.

  • I sometimes sprinkle the top with more granulated sugar to create a crunchy topping. yummmmm

  • Made it lots of times and a hit each time, this time, I didn’t have apples but since it was Peach time in Niagara, I put in 3 peaches and replaced the sugar with honey. mmmmmDelish! Served with Peach Ice Cream! What a hit!

  • This looks incredible. I can’t wait to try it!

  • Made this with some light rum. A-mazing is the word.

  • didn’t wait for Valentine’s day. My honey rocks!Used Amaretto instead. Turned out fantastico!

  • Made this yesterday and it was a huge hit. Super easy too. I sprinkled some cinnamon on the vanilla ice cream and it was delicious. Thanks!

Add a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.