Ingredients
6 cups bread pieces
2 cups milk
4 large eggs
1.5 cups applesauce, divided
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp butter
1/3 cup raisins (optional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325ºF. If your bread is not already in pieces, tear or cut the bread into one-inch pieces.
Spread the bread pieces out on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes to slightly dry the bread. After baking, let the bread cool for a few minutes to allow the remaining steam to evaporate.
While the bread is drying in the oven, prepare the apple cinnamon custard. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, 1 cup of applesauce, vanilla extract, sugar, and cinnamon.
Transfer the par-baked bread to a large bowl, add the raisins, then pour the apple cinnamon custard over top. Stir to combine and allow the bread to soak for at least 15 minutes to absorb all of the custard.
Meanwhile, use 1 teaspoon of the butter to grease the inside of a two-quart casserole dish. Transfer the soaked bread to the casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Cut the remaining butter into chunks and sprinkle it over the bread pudding.
Bake the bread pudding for 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
After removing the bread pudding from the oven, add the remaining ½ cup applesauce in dollops on top of the bread pudding. Serve warm.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Applesauce acts as both a custard ingredient and a finishing topping, adding natural sweetness and moisture without extra refined sugar
- Drying the bread in the oven before soaking is essential — it prevents a soggy pudding and ensures the custard is fully absorbed
- Cinnamon not only adds warm spice flavor but also offers antioxidant properties, making this dessert a slightly more wholesome indulgence
- Optional raisins add natural sweetness, chewy texture, and a small boost of fiber and iron to each serving
- Using whole milk creates a rich, creamy custard; for a lighter version, 2% milk can be substituted with minimal impact on texture
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides a meaningful amount of protein from the eggs and milk, helping to make this dessert more satisfying
- The applesauce contributes dietary fiber and vitamin C while reducing the need for added fats or excessive sugar
- Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse here, supplying choline, vitamin B12, and selenium to support brain and metabolic health
- The moderate sugar content — primarily from applesauce and a small amount of added sugar — makes this a more balanced dessert option
- Whole milk adds calcium and vitamin D, supporting bone health in every warm, comforting serving
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories340
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat10 g72 g13.89%
- Saturated Fat4.5 g20 g22.5%
- Trans Fat0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat3 g
- Cholesterol145 mg300 mg48.33%
- Sodium280 mg2300 mg12.17%
- Total Carbohydrate52 g275 g18.91%
- Dietary Fiber2 g28 g7.14%
- Total Sugars28 g
- Added Sugars11 g50 g22%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein11 g50 g22%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)60 mcg20 mcg300%
- Calcium180 mg1300 mg13.85%
- Iron2 mg18 mg11.11%
- Potassium320 mg4700 mg6.81%
- Vitamin A380 mcg900 mcg42.22%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)1 mg90 mg1.11%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1 mg15 mg6.67%
- Vitamin K4 mcg120 mcg3.33%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.2 mg1.2 mg16.67%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.3 mg1.3 mg23.08%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.8 mg16 mg11.25%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.1 mg1.7 mg5.88%
- Folate40 mcg400 mcg10%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)0.7 mcg2.4 mcg29.17%
- Biotin10 mcg30 mcg33.33%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.8 mg5 mg16%
- Choline140 mg550 mg25.45%
- Phosphorus210 mg1250 mg16.8%
- Iodine35 mcg150 mcg23.33%
- Magnesium22 mg420 mg5.24%
- Zinc1.1 mg11 mg10%
- Selenium18 mcg55 mcg32.73%
- Copper0.1 mg0.9 mg11.11%
- Manganese0.4 mg2.3 mg17.39%
- Chromium2 mcg35 mcg5.71%
- Molybdenum8 mcg45 mcg17.78%
- Chloride210 mg2300 mg9.13%
