Calling all bread pudding lovers! This Krispy Kreme Doughnut Bread Pudding will satisfy your donut and bread pudding cravings in one fell (delicious) swoop! Perfectly cozy and warm bread pudding made with glazed yeast doughnuts for the ultimate comfort food.
I cannot believe we’re almost into November! This is crazy to me.
But I’m also super excited because Christmas is totally my jam. I know, I know. I said the ‘C’ word and it isn’t even Halloween yet. Don’t be mad. It’s coming whether we like it or not (and I, for one, love it).
I got a request from a reader asking for a bread pudding recipe. I have to say, bread pudding isn’t my favorite dish, but I aim to please and I know it is a favorite for many of you, so I set out to make the best one I could possibly make and I think I did it.
I mean, you cannot possibly go wrong when the bread in your bread pudding is made of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Am I right, or am I right?
Making Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is essentially a baked custard that happens to have bread in it. Most folks use a thicker bread like brioche, challah, or even croissants for their bread pudding, but I decided to use doughnuts which are the clear winner here. And you can’t beat doughnuts from Krispy Kreme! When they’re hot and ready and served right off of the assembly line, nothing is better. However, for this particular recipe you want stale Krispy Kreme doughnuts which is a feat in itself. Trying to resist a box of hot, fresh Krispy Kremes is VERY difficult – but trust me, the end result is worth it.
The custard consists of eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, a splash of bourbon for flavor, cinnamon, nutmeg, and granulated sugar. You’ll whisk this all up and pour it over the cubed, stale doughnuts and let the mixture soak for an hour. This gives the doughnuts plenty of time to soak up that delicious flavor of the custard.
Then we’ll bake the bread pudding until it’s golden brown and set. Nothing easier! I promise it’s simple. Literally, the hardest part is keeping those doughnuts away from you. I stored mine in my microwave because I knew I wasn’t going to need it for a few days. Out of sight, out of mind!
Can I use any type of doughnut?
Sure! However, I would recommend sticking with yeasted doughnuts or cake doughnuts. This probably won’t be as good with filled doughnuts or ones with tons of frosting. Ones with a simple glaze are best.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can! Just note that the bread pudding kind of flattens out some when it isn’t served straight away. This doesn’t affect the dish’s flavor at ALL, but it isn’t as poofy as when it is when served warm. Just reheat in the oven or piece by piece on a microwave-safe plate.
Warm, fresh, bakery-style Krispy Kreme Doughnut Bread Pudding… you’re welcome!
Krispy Kreme Doughnut Bread Pudding
This Krispy Kreme Doughnut Bread Pudding is life-changing! A warm, bakery-style bread pudding made with Krispy Kreme glazed and yeasted doughnuts for a fun twist on a classic dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 dozen Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts, stale and cut into bite-size cubes I let mine sit for 3 days in the box
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 Tbsp bourbon or whiskey optional
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- Pinch salt
Instructions
Liberally grease a 9×13 rectangular baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Place the cubed stale doughnuts into the baking dish in an even, single layer. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, pure vanilla extract, sugar, spices, bourbon (if using), and salt until combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the doughnuts in the pan. Let stand for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the doughnuts to soak up some of the custard.
Heat oven to 350° degrees F. Bake the bread pudding for 30-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and appears set. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 15-20 minutes before serving. Or you may cool completely and serve at room temperature. I like to serve mine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
I recommend using glazed yeast doughnuts for this recipe, though cake doughnuts can be used. Try to avoid doughnuts with fillings or heavy frostings/toppings that may burn or scorch in the baking process. I left my Krispy Kreme doughnuts undisturbed in their original box for 3 days to get stale.
You guys are going to love this doughnut + bread pudding mash-up!!
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
