Calvados apple bread pudding is the quintessential autumn dessert. Bread soaked in cinnamon spiced custard tossed with chopped apples and toasted nuts. It’s sure to warm you up!
Need a last minute dessert? Apple bread pudding is the solution!
Easily customize this recipe to the ingredients you already have on hand. Bread pudding is super versatile.
What is bread pudding? Bread pudding is bread soaked in custard and baked to perfection. Sweet versions served with whipped cream, sauce (such as caramel or chocolate ganache), or ice cream.
There are many, many variations of bread pudding! Some are sweet, some are savory!
Apple Bread Pudding
Spiced baked apples simmering away in the oven. That’s my favorite scents of autumn and winter. This autumn bread pudding is flavored with chopped Granny smith apples, pecans, and cinnamon.
The bread pudding we know and love in America today is derived from bread and butter pudding.
Bread and butter pudding is a classic English dessert made by soaking buttered bread slices in a spiced custard mixture. It is often flavored with vanilla and raisins.
Components
- Bread, preferably challah
- Milk and cream
- Chopped apples
- Spices
- Eggs and butter
- Sugar
Bread pudding can be made with just about any bread!
Proof: Check out this strawberry bread pudding made with leftover hamburger buns or hot dog buns!
I recommend using challah for bread pudding. Challah is a braided egg based bread. It’s a special bread in Jewish cuisine.
Trader Joe’s sells a one pound challah loaf, perfect for this recipe!
Alternatively, you can find it at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and likely your local neighborhood market.
Challah is a sturdy bread that absorbs liquids well. Making it perfect for bread pudding!
However, you may substitute whatever bread you have on hand. Brioche, crusty baguettes, croissants, or sandwich bread works.
Choice of Mix Ins and Alternative Options
Chopped Granny Smith apples, pecans, and cinnamon are the key flavoring agents in this apple bread pudding. Here are some alternative mix-ins that would be just as delicious:
- Pears (sliced or chopped)
- Bananas
- Dried fruit (such as raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, dried apricots)
- Nuts of choice (walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts)
Calvados Apple Brandy
Calvados is used to flavor desserts and pastries. It may be drank on its own or mixed into a cocktail.
Calvados is a dry apple brand made in the town of Calvados in the French region of Lower Normandy.
There are several categories of Calvados, each dependent on the amount of time it was aged in oak casks.
Like fine wine and great friends, Calvados improves with aging.
I recommend the bottle photographed above. Daron Calvados Fine is about $25 for a small 375ml bottle. It is excellent for sipping as well as baking.
For the same price, you should also try Morin Calvados. It is about $25 for a 750ml bottle.
Calvados Substitutes
You can substitute the alcohol with dark rum, brandy, or whiskey of your choice.
Or, simply omit the alcohol portion all together.
To enhance the sweetness of the apples without alcohol, you may add equal amount of apple juice.
Related Recipes
- Walnut chocolate chip bread pudding
- Banana foster bread pudding
- Savory parmesan bread pudding with bacon and kale
Apple and Calvados Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 pound challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup Calvados
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla paste
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Butter ramekins or baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, soak bread in milk and cream. Let sit for about 10 minutes.
- In another bowl, toss together apples, Calvados, salt and ground cinnamon.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, melted butter, vanilla, brown sugar and granulated sugar.
- Add apple mixture to bread. Fold to combine. Add sugar egg mixture and fold to combine.
- Fold in chopped pecans. Pour pudding batter into prepared baking dishes. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until the top springs back when touched
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Hi, this looks fantastic! Can the calvados be omitted or is the extra liquid required to prevent it from being too dry? Any suggestions on best non-alcoholic options? Thank you!
The calvados adds moisture and flavor. You may use milk, cream, or half & half in place of the calvados. For a sweeter option, you may use apple juice.