Preparing this Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding is Extremely Straightforward.
Elevated bread pudding is a timeless comfort food, similar to dishes like French toast or strata. Its appeal lies in its easy preparation for cooks; simply cube bread and pour a sweet, creamy custard over it before baking. However, for a more delectable and festive experience, try using a loaf pan and pre-sliced bread for an effortless upgrade.
The loaf pan's enhanced bread pudding
Bread pudding should be rich, buttery, and full of flavor. Traditionally, bread cubes are spread across a large baking dish, allowing for ample custard absorption. While this method works, I've found that the resulting bread pudding turns out dry and underwhelming, as the exposed surface leads to a crunchy texture.
Leverage the power of grocery store-precut bread and a loaf pan for a simple and exquisite transformation. Tightly packed slices fit beautifully into a standard loaf pan, with a cinnamon raisin loaf or my personal favorite, Thomas' croissant bread, gliding seamlessly into an 8- or 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan. This eliminates the need for cutting and cubing, ensuring your bread pudding is saturated with a heavenly custard.
A water bath further enhances the loaf pan's effectiveness. The snug fit and slow heat from the water bath prevent the custard from overcooking and drying out, ensuring a luscious, pudding-like texture.
Bread sleeve bread pudding mastery
Two components make this elite pumpkin spice bread pudding.Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Customize this method with your preferred grocery store bread and any custard recipe you enjoy. If you prefer the taste of a specific custard, feel free to use it, but I must warn you that my pumpkin spice bread pudding is extra special. The decadent flair of Thomas' croissant bread comes alive with the velvety pumpkin spice custard, resulting in a heavenly, buttery dessert like nothing you've ever tasted before.
Begin by slicing the bread straight from the plastic sleeve and placing it snugly in a buttered loaf pan. Adjust the size of your bread to suit your loaf pan, as needed. For this recipe, I opted for Thomas' croissant bread, but if you prefer Pepperidge Farm raisin cinnamon swirl bread, make sure it fits your loaf pan without significant trimming.
Craft your custard by blending the required ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour the custard over the bread slices in the loaf pan, allowing it to seep into every crevice. Let the bread soak for five minutes, giving the custard ample time to absorb into the bread.
To create a water bath, prepare a larger baking dish and fill it with boiling water halfway up the sides of the loaf pan. Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake the bread pudding at 350°F for approximately 50 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F to 170°F.
On occasion, you may have leftovers, but fear not: these reheat marvelously in the microwave, restoring the tender custard. Pair your bread pudding with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an unforgettable dessert experience.
Use a second, larger dish to make the water bath.Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Luxurious Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding Loaf Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 sleeve of Thomas' croissant bread
- 3/4 cup Libby's pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- A pinch of salt
- 1 whole egg
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Additional cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling on top
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Ensure your loaf pan is butter or well-greased.
- Slice the entire sleeve of Thomas' croissant bread and place it snugly in the prepared loaf pan.
- Mix the custard ingredients in a large bowl and pour the mixture over the bread slices. Manipulate the bread to ensure even custard distribution, allowing for maximum absorption.
- Let the bread soak for five minutes.
- Prepare a water bath by arranging the loaf pan in a larger baking dish and filling it halfway with boiling water.
- Place the entire setup on a baking sheet and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake at 350°F for 45 to 60 minutes, or until an inserted thermometer reads 160°F to 170°F.
- Sprinkle the top of the baked loaf with a dusting of cinnamon and sugar before serving.
Your guests will be impressed by this extraordinary pumpkin spice bread pudding loaf, and I assure you that you'll be tempted to enjoy a second (or third) serving.
- Blend the pumpkin and sugar in a sizable mixing bowl. Then, combine the vanilla, spices, and salt. After that, incorporate the egg and yolks. Next, stir in the milk, followed by the cream, until the mixture becomes seamless.
- Pour this mixture over the bread in the loaf pan. Adjust the slices so the mixture can reach every corner. Allow it to absorb for five minutes. Press the bread into the pan, ensuring the mixture covers the tops as well. The bread should decrease in height at this point. Sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar on top.
- Place the loaf pan inside a larger baking dish and fill it with boiling water up to halfway the loaf pan's height. Put this in a baking sheet and place it in the oven. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 160°F to 170°F. Remove the loaf from the water bath and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before serving.
The flaky layers absorb the custard, infusing the bread with flavor.Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
- For a unique twist on traditional pumpkin spice dessert recipes, consider using the loaf pan method to create a luscious and moist pumpkin spice bread pudding with pre-sliced bread.
- To elevate your food-drink experience, try incorporating pumpkin spice flavors into a dessert recipe, such as a pumpkin spice bread pudding made with a loaf pan and pre-sliced bread, for a cozy and festive treat.
