Rustic Indiana Apple and Cinnamon Bread Pudding
Comforting bread pudding featuring regional Indiana apples, warm cinnamon, and a rich custard base, perfect for a cozy dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 minutes pairs (about 10 oz) day-old bread, cubed, medium Indiana apples, peeled and diced, large eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 6 cups (about 10 oz) day-old bread, cubed
- 2 medium Indiana apples, peeled and diced
- 4 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- for dusting powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread 6 cups cubed day-old bread evenly in the dish.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 2 1/2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt until smooth.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 diced medium Indiana apples and 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently to soak the bread.
- Step 4: Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to allow the custard to absorb fully.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Indiana Apple and Cinnamon Bread Pudding take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Rustic Indiana Apple and Cinnamon Bread Pudding?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large eggs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Indiana Apple and Cinnamon Bread Pudding?
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 Rustic Indiana Apple and Cinnamon Bread Pudding 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 Rustic Indiana Apple and Cinnamon Bread Pudding?
American 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.
