Buzz
Photo by Fred HardyBread pudding is a beloved classic, where cubed bread is bathed in custard and baked. But imagine swapping the bread for sweet, glazed donuts and adding caramelized apples to the mix. This Apple Spice Donut Bread Pudding is a cozy, flavorful dessert that will quickly become the highlight of your gathering.
While the apples are a great choice, you can also experiment by using pears instead. Skip the cinnamon and nutmeg, and instead, add a teaspoon of cardamom. Whatever fruit you choose, remember to serve it with a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream to take it to the next level.
Standard grocery store donuts are fine, but for a special twist, consider using glazed yeast donuts from your favorite local shop for enhanced flavor.
Ingredients List
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12 glazed yeast donuts (approximately 26 oz. in total)
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2 large eggs
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1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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2 tsp pure vanilla extract
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1 tsp kosher salt
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1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
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3 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
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1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the baking dish
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3 1/4 cups chopped honeycrisp apples (about 2 large apples)
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1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
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Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F and butter a 2-quart or 9-inch square baking dish. Cut the donuts into eighths and arrange them in the prepared dish.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, condensed milk, cream, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon until fully blended. Pour this mixture over the donuts and gently toss to combine. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes, stirring a couple of times.
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While the donut mixture rests, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped apples, sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender yet crisp and a thick syrup has formed, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
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Spoon the apple mixture and syrup over the donut mix. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is browned and just set. (For extra browning, broil for 2 to 3 minutes.) Serve hot, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
The Donut Delight Story
During testing, we sampled several types of donuts. Glazed yeast donuts performed far better than cake or apple cider donuts, which became too soggy when soaked in custard. For an even stronger apple flavor and a true fall vibe, try replacing the donuts with apple fritters of the same weight.
