There’s just something magical about the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon wafting through your kitchen on a crisp fall afternoon. And if you’re craving something sweet, soft, a little nostalgic, and comforting, pumpkin bread pudding is your answer.
Think of it like pumpkin pie and classic bread pudding had a baby. Add in a drizzle of warm homemade toffee sauce and a dollop of whipped cream… and you’ve got a dessert that tastes like fall wrapped in a cozy sweater.
In this step-by-step post, I’ll walk you through how to make the best pumpkin bread pudding ever, easy enough for a weeknight, fancy enough for a holiday gathering.
Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love Eating Pumpkin Bread Pudding
There are a lot of fall desserts out there. So why choose pumpkin bread pudding?
Because it’s like eating a warm hug.
This dessert is the perfect marriage between comfort food and fall flavors. Imagine the cozy taste of pumpkin pie blended with the custardy richness of classic bread pudding. Each bite is soft, spiced, and slightly sweet with a texture that melts in your mouth.
And it’s flexible. Want it simple? Serve it plain. Feeling indulgent? Add whipped cream, drizzle warm toffee sauce on top, and sprinkle on some toasted pecans. Boom—dessert heaven.
Still on the fence? Here’s why you’ll keep coming back to this pumpkin bread pudding again and again:
- Easy to make: No special tools or techniques. Just basic ingredients and one bowl for the custard.
- Perfect for fall gatherings: It’s festive, homey, and crowd-pleasing.
- Great way to use leftover bread: Stale bread gets a delicious second life.
- Incredibly satisfying: Creamy inside, lightly crisped top, and full of warm spice.
- Smells like fall: Your kitchen will be filled with cinnamon, ginger, and pumpkin goodness. That alone is worth baking it for!
Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in or a festive holiday spread, this dessert never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is a complete list of what you need to make the pumpkin bread pudding and the optional toffee sauce that takes it over the top.
🎃 Pumpkin Bread Pudding
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bread cubes (day-old) | 5 cups (1.2 L) | Use Italian, French, or brioche; bite-sized cubes; crusts optional |
| Eggs | 2 large | Whisked well |
| Pumpkin purée | ¾ cup (170 g) | Use pure canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) |
| Light brown sugar (packed) | ½ cup (105 g) | Adds sweetness and depth |
| Ground cinnamon | ½ teaspoon | Warm, classic fall spice |
| Ground ginger | ¼ teaspoon | Adds a subtle spicy kick |
| Ground cloves (optional) | Pinch (⅛ teaspoon) | Optional—adds deep warmth |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon | Balances the sweetness |
| Vanilla extract | ½ teaspoon | Enhances overall flavor |
| Melted butter (cooled) | ¼ cup (55 g) | Use salted or unsalted; adds richness |
| Milk or cream | 1½ cups (360 ml) | Any combo of milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream works |
| Chopped pecans (optional) | ½ cup (55 g) | Adds crunch and nuttiness; can substitute with walnuts or raisins |
📝 You can also add extras like raisins, chocolate chips, or apples to customize.
🍯 Optional Toffee Sauce
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | 4 tablespoons (55 g) | Salted or unsalted |
| Dark brown sugar | ½ cup (105 g) | Gives that deep caramel flavor |
| Salt (if using unsalted butter) | Pinch (⅛ teaspoon) | Only if butter isn’t salted |
| Heavy cream | ¼ cup (60 ml) | Thickens and enriches the sauce |
| Vanilla extract or rum | ¼–1 teaspoon | Optional flavor enhancer; rum or bourbon adds warmth and depth |
Step-by-Step: How to Make Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Each step is warm, cozy, and easier than you think!
Making pumpkin bread pudding isn’t just about throwing ingredients together. It’s about creating a cozy moment, a warm kitchen, and a dish that brings people back for seconds.
Whether it’s your first time or your fall baking tradition, these steps walk you through every detail so it turns out perfectly custardy, flavorful, and tender.
🔥 Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Before you touch a single ingredient, turn on your oven. Set it to 350°F (180°C).
Why is this important? Because a properly preheated oven ensures your bread pudding bakes evenly from the start. If your oven’s still cold when you place the dish inside, the custard may curdle or the top may overcook before the center sets.
While your oven heats up, you can prep everything else. By the time you’re ready to bake, the oven will be too.
Pro Tip: Use an oven thermometer if you’re unsure whether your oven runs hot or cold. Bread pudding is sensitive to baking times!
🍞 Step 2: Prepare the Bread Cubes
Now it’s time to work with the star ingredient: bread.
You’ll need about 5 cups of bread cubes, which works out to about one medium loaf. The cubes should be bite-sized, around 1 inch (2.5 cm) is perfect. Don’t worry about being precise. Rustic is beautiful here.
✅ Best Bread Choices:
- Italian loaf (as used in the original recipe)
- French baguette
- Brioche
- Challah
- Any crusty artisan bread
Avoid soft white sandwich bread; it turns mushy fast.
🧊 Use Day-Old Bread
This isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a key to success. Slightly stale bread is drier and absorbs more custard without falling apart. If your bread is too fresh and fluffy, it’ll resist soaking and leave you with a soggy bottom.
💡 Measuring tip: Don’t struggle with measuring 5 cups. Just fill your 8-inch baking dish with bread cubes to the top. Then pour them into a large bowl for mixing.
If you want a little contrast in texture, leave the crusts on. They’ll give you those golden, toasty edges on top.
🥣 Step 3: Make the Pumpkin Custard
This is where the magic begins. The custard infuses the bread with pumpkin flavor, warm spices, and creamy richness.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the following:
- 2 large eggs: Beat them first to break them up.
- ¾ cup (170 g) pumpkin purée: Make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix.
- ½ cup (105 g) packed light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and depth.
Now add your spices:
- ½ tsp cinnamon: Warm and cozy.
- ¼ tsp ginger: Slightly spicy.
- Pinch of cloves (⅛ tsp): Strong but adds a holiday note.
- ¼ tsp salt: Balances the sweetness.
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract: Adds depth and flavor.
Mix thoroughly with a whisk or fork. Then stir in:
- ¼ cup (55 g) melted butter: Cooled to room temperature.
- 1½ cups (360 ml) milk or cream: Your choice! Use what suits your taste.
💬 Milk Tips:
- Want it rich? Use 1 cup cream + ½ cup milk.
- Want it lighter? Use all milk or half-and-half.
- Want to splurge? Use all heavy cream—super decadent.
Stir until fully combined. You should now have a thick, golden-orange, delicious-smelling custard that’s ready to coat the bread.
🍂 Step 4: Combine Bread and Custard
Now, take your bowl of bread cubes and pour the custard right over them. Use a spoon or spatula to stir everything together gently.
The goal here is to coat every piece of bread with that luscious pumpkin mixture.
Let the mixture sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard. This is especially important if your bread is more than one day old or particularly crusty.
As it sits, you’ll notice the cubes begin to soften and the custard thickens. Stir it once or twice during this soaking time to make sure all sides of the bread get some love.
👩🍳 Check the texture: If it looks too dry, add a splash more milk. Too wet and soupy? Toss in a few more bread cubes.
Once you’re happy with the consistency, it’s time to move on.
🥜 Step 5: Add Pecans or Extras (Optional but Recommended)
At this point, you can get creative.
The original recipe adds ½ cup (55 g) chopped pecans, which give the pudding a gentle crunch and nutty richness. But feel free to switch things up based on your preferences.
🍫 Other Fun Add-ins:
| Ingredient | Amount | Adds… |
|---|---|---|
| Raisins | ⅓ cup | Chewy sweetness |
| Dried cranberries | ⅓ cup | Tartness and texture |
| Dark chocolate chips | ½ cup | Richness and indulgence |
| Chopped apples | ½ cup | A fruity, juicy bite |
| Walnuts | ½ cup | Earthy crunch |
Fold your add-ins gently into the soaked bread mixture. Don’t overmix—just a few turns to distribute.
🍁 “Oops, forgot the pecans!” It happens. You can always gently press them in before baking, just like in the original video.
🧺 Step 6: Transfer to Baking Pan
Now, grab your greased 8-inch (20 cm) square pan and pour in the bread mixture.
Use a spatula to spread it evenly and press it down lightly. This helps compact the pudding just enough so it bakes evenly and sets beautifully.
The top should be slightly bumpy and moist. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect, it’s not supposed to. That rustic, golden top is exactly what you want.
⏱️ Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes.
Start checking at the 20-minute mark. You’re looking for:
- A slight spring when you press the top
- Golden brown edges
- A clean toothpick, when inserted in the center
Be careful not to overbake. When custard is overdone, it goes from creamy to rubbery. You want a moist interior that’s just set, with golden brown edges on top.
🕒 Oven times may vary! Gas ovens run cooler, convection ovens bake faster. Trust your senses.
🧊 Step 8: Cool and Rest
When it’s done, remove the pan from the oven and let the pudding sit for 15–20 minutes.
This gives the custard time to finish setting. It also makes slicing and serving cleaner and easier.
Plus, pumpkin bread pudding is best served warm, not piping hot. The flavors have more time to settle, and the texture becomes perfect.
🍮 Optional: Make the Dreamiest Toffee Sauce
This rich and buttery sauce will take your pumpkin bread pudding to legendary status.
If you’re wondering whether the toffee sauce is worth the extra 5 minutes, it is. This sauce is velvety, deeply caramelized, and perfect for drizzling over warm desserts. It’s like the golden crown on top of your fall masterpiece.
And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make with just four ingredients and one saucepan. Let’s go!
🧈 Step 1: Melt the Butter
Grab a small to medium saucepan and add:
- 4 tablespoons (55g) butter
Place the pan over medium heat and let the butter melt gently. You can use salted or unsalted butter; remember that if you use salted, you’ll skip adding extra salt later.
Swirl the pan occasionally or stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula so it melts evenly without browning.
🔥 Don’t crank up the heat here—low and steady keeps the sauce silky, not scorched.
🍯 Step 2: Add Sugar and Cream
Once the butter is fully melted, add the next key ingredients:
- ½ cup (105g) dark brown sugar: packed
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
- Pinch of salt (⅛ tsp): only if you used unsalted butter
Stir everything together until it looks thick and glossy. The brown sugar begins to dissolve into the butter, creating that rich caramel color and smell we all love.
💡 Why dark brown sugar? It has more molasses than light brown sugar, giving the sauce deeper flavor and a richer caramel tone. But you can substitute if that’s all you have on hand.
🍬 Step 3: Let It Thicken
Now for the transformation.
Turn the heat up just slightly until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Don’t walk away! Once it starts bubbling, reduce to medium-low and let it simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
As it simmers, the toffee sauce will begin to thicken and coat the back of your spoon.
You’ll notice the texture change—it goes from thin and bubbly to glossy and syrupy.
🕒 Want it thicker? Let it simmer an extra 30–60 seconds. But be careful not to overcook—it thickens more as it cools!
🥃 Step 4: Add Flavor
Once your sauce has thickened to a smooth, pourable consistency, please remove it from the heat.
Now it’s time to add the final flavor boost. Choose one of the following:
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract: for classic warmth
- 1 teaspoon dark rum: adds a boozy kick
- 1 teaspoon bourbon: for depth and boldness
Add it while the sauce is still hot. It’ll sizzle a little and release some beautiful aroma into the air.
Stir well and let it sit for a minute.
🍹 The alcohol mostly cooks off, but the flavor remains. You can always leave it out or go with vanilla if you’re serving kids.
🥄 How to Serve Pumpkin Bread Pudding
From casual comfort to elegant entertaining, here’s how to serve it just right.
Pumpkin bread pudding is already amazing on its own, but how you present and pair it takes it from cozy to completely irresistible. Below are some simple, indulgent, and creative ways to serve this dessert like a pro:
1. The Classic Fall Plate
Warm up a square or spoonful of bread pudding and place it on a dessert plate or in a shallow bowl. Drizzle with warm toffee sauce, and add a generous dollop of whipped cream. Done. Simple. Elegant. Everyone will ask for seconds.
2. With a Scoop of Ice Cream
Pumpkin spice and vanilla bean ice cream are a dreamy match. The warm pudding melts the ice cream just slightly, turning every bite into creamy, melty perfection.
🍦 Want to go extra? Try cinnamon ice cream or butter pecan.
3. Layered Dessert Cups
Hosting a party? Serve mini individual portions in clear glasses or jars. Layer warm pudding, whipped cream, and chopped nuts. Top with a swirl of toffee sauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It looks fancy, but it’s just spoon-and-stack easy!
4. Boozy Dessert Twist
For grown-up gatherings, splash a little bourbon or rum over warm bread pudding before adding your sauce and cream. It brings out the spices in the custard and deepens the flavor.
5. Make It a Holiday Star
Want a holiday-worthy display? Serve on a platter, dust with powdered sugar, garnish with whole pecans, and decorate with cinnamon sticks or star anise on the side. It instantly becomes your Thanksgiving or Christmas showstopper.
6. Next-Day Treat
Pumpkin bread pudding is just as good the next day. To reheat:
- Microwave individual portions for 30–45 seconds
- Reheat the toffee sauce separately and drizzle just before serving
❄️ Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
✅ Pro Tips for Pumpkin Bread Pudding Perfection
Want your pumpkin bread pudding to turn out flawless every time? These expert-level tips will make it unforgettable.
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving and beginner-friendly, a few simple tweaks and techniques can elevate it to pure dessert bliss.
Whether you’re baking it for the first time or want to level up your go-to fall treat, these tips will help you master the art of bread pudding.
🍞 1. Use Day-Old or Slightly Stale Bread
This is the golden rule of bread pudding. Fresh bread may seem like a good idea, but it tends to sit on top of the custard instead of soaking it in. Day-old or slightly dried-out bread absorbs the pumpkin custard much better, giving you that moist, spongy texture we all crave.
💡 Shortcut: If your bread is fresh, cube it and toast it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes.
🥣 2. Don’t Skip the Soak
Once you combine the bread with the custard, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. This soaking time is crucial for evenly distributing the pumpkin flavor and softening the bread. If your cubes are especially dense or crusty, this time allows every bit to become tender inside and out.
⏱️ 3. Check for Doneness Early
Every oven is different. While most bread puddings bake in 25–30 minutes, yours could be ready at 22 or need closer to 35. Start checking around 20 minutes.
The signs it’s done:
- The top is golden and slightly springy
- A toothpick in the center comes out clean
- The custard is set, not jiggly
👀 Overbaking = rubbery texture. Underbaking = soggy middle. Aim for just set and lightly golden.
🧈 4. Mix Up Your Dairy
Want it lighter? Use all the milk.
Craving richness? Try half-and-half or add heavy cream.
Dairy-free? Use almond, oat, or coconut milk with plant-based butter. The custard still works beautifully.
🍯 5. Make the Toffee Sauce in Advance
The toffee sauce can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Just warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving. It thickens as it cools but becomes pourable again with a little heat.
🎨 Fun Variations to Try
Make this recipe your own with fun flavors and mix-ins!
One of the best things about pumpkin bread pudding is how flexible it is. You can add nuts, fruits, spices, or even swap the dairy to match your taste and mood.
Here’s a table of flavor-packed ideas:
| Variation Name | What to Add or Change |
|---|---|
| Chocolate Chip Pumpkin | Stir in ½ cup dark or semisweet chocolate chips before baking |
| Apple Cinnamon Crunch | Add ½ cup diced apples + extra ¼ tsp cinnamon + 2 tbsp chopped walnuts |
| Cranberry Orange | Mix in ⅓ cup dried cranberries + 1 tsp orange zest |
| Pecan Pie Inspired | Top with extra pecans + drizzle of maple syrup after baking |
| Bourbon Bliss | Add 1 tablespoon bourbon to the custard + a splash in the toffee sauce |
| Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl | Add chocolate chips + mini marshmallows + graham cracker crumbs on top before baking. |
| Vegan Delight | Use flax eggs (2 tbsp flax + 6 tbsp water), almond milk, and vegan butter |
| Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread | Use your favorite gluten-free loaf + double-check all other ingredients are GF-friendly |
| Pumpkin S’mores Bake | Use coconut milk instead of cream + shredded coconut in the custard and on top. |
| Pumpkin Coconut Dream | Use coconut milk instead of cream + shredded coconut in the custard and on top |
✨ Want more texture or a pop of sweetness? Try raisins, chopped dates, or even crushed gingersnaps!
Final Thoughts: A Cozy Classic with a Twist
Pumpkin bread pudding is one of those recipes that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s rich but not too heavy, sweet but spiced just right, and it’s the kind of dessert that brings people together.
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, craving something special for the weekend, or love all things pumpkin, this recipe is a total winner. And that toffee sauce? You’ll want to drizzle it on everything.
So go ahead, make it once, and you’ll make it every fall.
🍂 Craving More Fall Desserts? Try These Next:
Looking for more quick, cozy, and irresistible pumpkin recipes? Check out these fan-favorites:
👉 Healthy Pumpkin Blondies Recipe for Cozy Nights
A wholesome, gooey treat packed with pumpkin flavor and fall spices, perfect with a hot drink.
👉 15-Min Pumpkin Donuts Gen Z Can’t Stop Baking
Baked, not fried! These soft donuts are cinnamon-sugar coated and totally addictive.
👉 Quick 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Mousse for Fall
Light, fluffy, and ready in minutes, this no-bake mousse is a dreamy dessert for any fall evening.
Ella Foster, co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a skilled writer whose love for cooking fuels her creative work. Her passion for experimenting in the kitchen brings authentic flavor and culinary inspiration to every piece she crafts for the platform.