Apples & autumn, walnuts & molasses, warm cozy spices, smooth creamy drizzle, and a hot drink in tote... are all things I'll never say no to this time of year. Would you? Didn't think so. Why else would you be here looking at this pudding? ;-) Well, this apple butter bread pudding definitely delivers all that in a warm, gooey, light, and super easy to throw together package...
Ever since this pumpkin spice bread pudding happened, bread pudding has been in high demand here not only for special breakfasts, but for dessert too... But since my husband can only handle so much pumpkin and instead keeps asking me when I'm going to make some apple desserts (his favorite), and since I had some apple butter in the freezer to use up (the last remnants of the mega batch I made last year!), I decided to switch things up... And ended up with this delicious treat I'm super excited about. And you should be too -- this is the easiest thing to throw together, and also the bestest things you can enjoy with family or friends at a holiday breakfast or as a simple treat to spice things up a bit.
This was a really nice way to put a spin on a holiday classic and lighten it up a touch too -- so instead of the eggs, cream, butter, and refined sugar, you've got apple butter and maple syrup to keep you light and toasty and infuse the pudding with some of the best natural flavors that scream autumn.
To keep things simple, use a bread of your choice. Stale bread works best, but I didn't have any on hand so I simply toasted some in the oven and that did the trick. I used a gluten-free loaf I found in the back of my freezer -- and if that worked, any kind of bread (even grain-free) or plain cakey leftovers will do...
For those looking for a nut-free drizzle, the frosting from this recipe will work great, or simply thin out some non-dairy yogurt of your choice with a bit of non-dairy milk and some extra maple syrup you'll be good to go too. Been there, done that. Delicious.
Just don't forget the extra molasses drizzle too -- game changer ;)
Oh, and lastly, if you don't have a freezer full of homemade apple butter... you can just buy some ready-made of course (Filsinger's is a great local brand I absolutely love. Eden is another great brand I use on occasion). Or take advantage of all the delicious apples available this time of year and make some from scratch. It's fun and easy, and it feels good to do things the old-fashioned way once in a while... :)
PrintApple Butter Bread Pudding
Gluten-free apple bread pudding with warm, cozy spices and delicious vegan "cream cheese" drizzle.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Pudding
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
Base:
- 6 cups stale bread cubes (I used a toasted gluten-free loaf. Grain-Free bread will work too)
- 2 cups chopped apples
- 1 cup walnuts (or sunflower seeds or dried white mulberries for a nut-free version)
- 1 cup raisins (or cranberries)
Apple Butter Sauce:
- 1½ cups apple butter
- 1¼ cups plant milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
- 1 cup maple syrup {or agave, coconut nectar, yacon, brown rice syrup, etc.}
- 4 tbsp tapioca starch
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- Spices: 2 tablespoon cinnamon,⅛ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon ginger, ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¾ tsp salt
- + 1 cup chopped walnuts (or seeds / dried white mulberries) for topping
"Cream Cheese" Drizzle (see notes above for nut-free drizzle alternatives):
- ¾ cup raw cashews {cover with boiling water and soak for 15 mins, then strain}
- 1 cup plant milk {I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk}
- ¼ cup maple syrup {or agave, brown rice syrup, etc.}
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- + a bit of unsulphured blackstrap molasses for drizzling (I like this brand)
Instructions
- Oil a baking pan (I used an 8" x 12" rectangular pan, but anything of a similar size will work) and set aside.
- Place all base ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Set aside.
- Blend all apple butter sauce ingredients, except for chopped walnuts, into a smooth consistency in a blender. Pour into the mixing bowl with the base ingredients and mix to combine. Transfer into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with chopped nuts over the top. Set aside for 20 minutes for the mixture to soak so the flavors fuse together.
- In the meantime preheat oven to 350F. Bake pudding in the pre-heated oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a rack.
- While the pudding is baking, prepare the cashew drizzle by placing all ingredients (except molasses) in a blender and blend until smooth. A power blender works best for a smooth consistency (I used a Vitamix), but you can also add a bit more non-dairy milk to help with blending and make the mixture a little runnier.
- Once the pudding is cool, drizzle some over the pudding (reserve extra for individual servings), drizzle with some molasses. Scoop up into bowls and serve with extra cashew drizzle and enjoy! Store any leftovers in the fridge.
Rubi Kaur says
Love this recipe! We use it quite often. I double the carrots and celery and add minced onion flakes to it and use Uncle Ben's Wild Rice. After a couple hours check it to see if it needs a little bit more water added.
Rose Martine says
YUMMY!!!!! Thanks for sharing your recipe! I’ve heard about your blog a couple of times and will now spend my afternoon reading :)
Alisha Ross says
Perfect who has extra roasted butternut squash…and wontons in the old freezer. I did!! Going into lab, aka kitchen!
★★★★★
Katrina TaTaé says
what apples do you suggest Audrey?
Audrey says
Any good tasting ones will do, but my absolute favorite are Honeycrisp. I think a firmer variety, like Gala or Honeycrisp is best, but it's a personal choice.
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
Yummy! This looks so delicious, Audrey! :-) I've never had bread pudding, I really need to give this a try!
Audrey says
Oh, I hope this inspires your first venture into bread pudding territory -- such a great holiday dish.
Gin says
This looks like dessert heaven, especially with the drizzle! I can imagine the flavors, and your photos are perfect for them. Beautiful!
★★★★★
Audrey says
Thanks so much, Gin! <3
Sophia @Veggies Don't Bite says
I'm not much of a bread pudding fan...but with that cream cheese drizzle and that molasses topper you may have just converted me! Insane!!
Audrey says
Yes, those two things seal the deal :)
Theresa Greco says
This sounds amazingly delicious
Audrey says
Thank you Theresa!
The vegan 8 says
I have seen apple butter before but have never tried it. What a delicious idea to add it to a bread pudding! All the flavors here just scream Fall! Such a pretty festive dish!
Audrey says
It's so good, Brandi. One of my favorite ingredients. I got hooked when I was on a diet that had no sweetners other than fruit... glad I'm not on that diet anymore ;) but apple butter will always remain special. And pear butter -- also amazing.
Levan @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
YOU HAD ME AT BREAD PUDDING!
OMG, this looks delicious beyond delicious> I WANT IT!
★★★★★
Audrey says
Thanks Levan -- I'll gladly trade you some for Amrita's delicious macarons <3
Kristina says
I want a freezer full of apple butter *whines*
:) this looks amazing! it has been far too long since I have had a bread pudding - weird, since it is always one of my favorites. I think I just added a new ... breakfast? dessert? to our holiday menu...
Audrey says
Awesome! :) It's not a treat I have often either, but a good holiday breakkie / dessert switch-up is always nice.
Cris says
Never tried apple butter. Looks very delicious. :)
Audrey says
Oh, apple butter is delicious. Must try! :)
Vanessa @VeganFamilyRecipes.com says
Words can't even begin to describe how delicious this looks! I need to make this for Thanksgiving and again for Christmas! Looks really wonderful :) Pinning!
Audrey says
Aw, thanks Vanessa. It's definitely a great treat for both occasions :)
Kelly @ TastingPage says
Dang, this looks a-ma-zing and gluten free and free from refined sugar - I'm in!
Audrey says
Aw, thanks Kelly!
Sarah @ Drool-Worthy says
I'll never say no to this time of year either! And this pudding - amazing. Pinned! :)
Audrey says
Me neither :) Thank you for sharing, Sarah!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Love in a big ole baking pan! You know I love the frosting drizzle, but o bread pudding! Seems like something people would think I'm not fond of, but it has always appealed to me! So yum!
Audrey says
I know what you mean. I'm not a big bread eater, but when there's bread pudding involved, I'm there ;)
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
In the pan with that saucy drizzle I was already wanting some. But now that I see it served up in a bowl with the BIG dollop of "cream cheese" and that heavy handed molasses drizzle my cravings have tripled!!! I think apples were meant to be part of a bread pudding, once they are chopped up they blend right in with the bread cubes! And raisins too!?! You know all the right things to make it extra yummy <3
Audrey says
Hehe, I know right. Hard to go wrong with apples, apple butter, molasses, raisins, something crunchy, & a bit of breadiness (or muffin-ness ;) ) and some drizzle. The chopped apples do go in the pan with the bread cubes as part of the base ingredients.
Leah @ Grain Changer says
I looooove apple butter, and what a PERFECT way to use up the end of your big batch! This sounds to die for! Can't wait to make it :)
Audrey says
Thanks Leah -- enjoy it! It was a good finale for all that apple butter :)
Cathi Russell says
I was thinking 4 tsp of cloves was a little much so did scant of 3 tsp and it is a little overpowering, I would recommend cutting back a lot...Other than that it is really good. Thanks for the eggless coconutless recipe
Audrey says
Hi Cathi -- so sorry, that was a typo -- it's 1/4 tsp cloves! Yikes, yes, 4 would be waaay too much. I'll fix that now. Sorry for the type but glad you enjoyed the pudding nonetheless. And thank you for the feedback -- otherwise it might have taken me a while to catch it.