No Plain Jane Pumpkin Bread Here

With a cabinet full to bursting with cans of pumpkin puree, multiple bags of pumpkin seeds, plus giant pumpkins lined up on my front step, waiting to be carved, it’s a surprise that I haven’t yet turned orange. This versatile squash has been working its way into every dish of every meal, be it sweet or savory, and it’s about time that I have something to show for it. Luck was on my side when a good hunk of stale bread crossed my path, practically begging to be used lest it end up in the waste bin. For ages, some sort of pumpkin bread pudding had been on my “to bake” list, and finally, I can cross that one off for good.

Simple as all get-go, I might argue that it’s even better than that ubiquitous pumpkin bread that everyone and their best friend feels the urge to make around this time of year.  Warm, creamy, and comforting, it’s the perfect dessert to ward off those autumn chills while celebrating the season’s bounty. It’s a snap to customize depending on your preference; consider the spices as a mere suggestion, and a handful or two of nuts, chocolate, or dried fruit never hurt anything.

Yield: Makes 8 Servings

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Warm, creamy, and comforting, bread pudding is the perfect dessert to ward off those autumn chills while celebrating the season's bounty. It's a snap to customize depending on your preference; consider the spices as a mere suggestion, and a handful of nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit never hurt anything.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Additional Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Pound Crusty Bread
  • 1 Cup Pumpkin Puree
  • 1 Tablespoons Cornstarch
  • 1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, Packed
  • 3/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • Pinch Salt
  • 1 Cup Plain Non-Dairy Milk
  • 1 Tablespoons Dark Rum
  • 1/4 Cup Crystallized Ginger, Chopped Finely

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
  2. First, slice your bread into 1 inch cubes, and set aside.
  3. Whisk together the pumpkin puree, cornstarch, sugar, spices, and salt in a large bowl.
  4. Once smooth and thoroughly combined, slowly drizzle in the non-dairy milk and rum, and stir until the mixture is homogeneous.
  5. Toss in the bread cubes and crystallized ginger, and use a wide spatula to gently coat the bread with the pumpkin. Pour the lumpy mixture into your prepared pan, and smooth the pieces down into an even layer.
  6. Let stand for 10 minutes at room temperature for the liquids to soak in a bit, and then bake for 45 – 50 minutes. The edges should appear set, but the interior will remain quite soft and moist. Good bread pudding should be very moist, so be careful not to over bake it!
  7. Let cool for about 15 minutes before serving. You can either take the time to make nice, neat slices like I did, or just grab a large spoon and scoop it out onto plates. It will taste good no matter what, so it
    doesn’t matter if it’s bit a ugly! Serve warm with caramel, whipped creme, or maybe even fudge sauce.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 172Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 175mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 2gSugar: 20gProtein: 4g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimates.

49 thoughts on “No Plain Jane Pumpkin Bread Here

  1. This just might be my Thanksgiving dessert this year. I love bread pudding, but I haven’t had any since becoming vegan. That’s a long time to go w/out it!

  2. This sounds sooo good but I’ll make it sans rum. Thank for the recipe, it will be a perfect fall treat.

  3. I have a dear friend who is severely dairy intolerant. She visits us every Xmas and I may just have to make this for her so she can have a special dessert.

  4. Oh YUM! I cannot wait to make this!! I’ve loved bread pudding since I was a kid, and of course, this is even better because I can make it without eggs and dairy! Thanks for the recipe.

  5. Hannah…why must you make the most delicious looking treats and then taunt me with them? Now I have to go make this when I promised myself I would bake until the weekend =)

  6. Oh my goodness! I l was literally speechless when I saw your photo of that bread pudding. That sauce oozing down the sides is too good to resist. The pumpkin lover that I am, I absolutely have to make this A.S.A.P.!

  7. oh yum. its been a few years since I last tried bread pudding, but this recipe screams at me and I need to give bread pudding another try especially since this involves pumpkin and chocolate!

  8. I’ve been meaning to make my first bread pudding forever-this recipe is finally the one to push me into it. It looks and sounds too delicious to not make!! I need to get to a bakery for some bread quick.

  9. May I asked what does it mean by “Crusty Bread”?
    Do I need to get loaf bread and toast it in the oven, or just use the crust, or is there really a thing called ‘Crusty Bread’, and I’m stupid.
    I hope to make it because it looks sooo good. Also, easy!
    Sydney

  10. Wow what an absolutely gorgeous photo and dessert!! I don’t really get bread pudding though.. I’m not a fan of mushy bread things. But your pumpkin bread pudding is very tempting.

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