Baked Guava Bread Pudding with Maple Pecan Caramel Sauce
Warm bread pudding infused with guava preserves and topped with a rich maple pecan caramel sauce for a comforting dessert. This general-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes layers cubed day-old French bread, whole milk, large eggs into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 cups, cubed day-old French bread
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup guava jam
- 4 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup, chopped pecans
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups whole milk, 4 large eggs, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, and 1/4 tsp salt until smooth.
- Step 2: Add 6 cups cubed day-old French bread and 1 cup guava jam to the mixture, stirring gently until the bread is fully coated and begins to absorb the custard. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer the bread mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden and the custard is set.
- Step 4: While baking, prepare the maple pecan caramel sauce by heating 1/2 cup maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until it bubbles, then stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and the pecans are candied.
- Step 5: Remove the bread pudding from the oven and drizzle immediately with the warm maple pecan caramel sauce before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Guava Bread Pudding with Maple Pecan Caramel Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Guava Bread Pudding with Maple Pecan Caramel Sauce?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Guava Bread Pudding with Maple Pecan Caramel Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Guava Bread Pudding with Maple Pecan Caramel Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Guava Bread Pudding with Maple Pecan Caramel Sauce?
General desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
