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.
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.
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
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- First, slice your bread into 1 inch cubes, and set aside.
- Whisk together the pumpkin puree, cornstarch, sugar, spices, and salt in a large bowl.
- Once smooth and thoroughly combined, slowly drizzle in the non-dairy milk and rum, and stir until the mixture is homogeneous.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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:
8Serving Size:
1Amount 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.
OH. MY. GOD. I am alllll over that recipe Hannah. Bread pudding is my very favorite and pumpkin just makes everything better!! Yum.
Pumpkin bread pudding is, perhaps, all I’ve been dreaming of but not aware I needed it yet! It looks so so good!
OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!!! Dangerously decadent.
With awesome desserts like this, I hope pumpkin season never ends! I love the photos in your previous post, too!
oooh, this looks sinful!! I love the look of the sauce on top!
Oooh, I love this idea!
OH MY HECK. That looks fabulous. I love pumpkin!!
That looks so good and comforting….especially with the sauce on top…
This kind of beautiful thing is the reason I’m only 95% Plain Jane.
That looks ridiculous, in all the right ways.
I like pumpkins, either way, sweet or savory!
Mm that looks amazing!
hmmmm!
What a delicious looking pumpkin bread!
All that fudge sauce topping makes me drool…
:)
Looks just divine!
It looks delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe :)
This sounds sooo delicious! You put all 3 sauces on that piece, didn’t you!
Oh yummy! This is a must-try!
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!
i’m in looooooooooove! i love pumpkins and bread pudding. hooooooooooray!
This is one recipe we must try!!! Sounds perfect for a chilly day.
This is the most beautiful bread pudding I’ve ever seen!
This sounds sooo good but I’ll make it sans rum. Thank for the recipe, it will be a perfect fall treat.
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.
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.
mmmmmmmm….. this makes me hungry :D
and i actually have rum now!! w00t!!! haha
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 =)
I am definitely over pumpkin bread – only this from now on! That piece looks so incredible, especially drenched in sauce!
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.!
this looks soooooo good, yummmmy!!
excuse me while I do a happy dance. I must make this very soon.
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!
after I pick my jaw off the floor, i may have to go find some stale bread… food porn. how dare you!
Oh my, sounds delicious!
Well you know I love me some bread pudding. Yours looks truly devine!
Oh my gosh that looks just incredible! Not for reading when you’re hungry :)
My friend Jane hates the expression “Plain Jane.”
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.
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
That’s my next pumpkin dessert. I made a crockpot pumpkin dessert last night.
I think I am in pumpkin heaven. This looks fabulous!
looks dee-licious!! i think a little caramel is a must!
woah – that sounds seriously good!!
I love bread pudding. I love pumpkin. This is too good to be true! Must make this!
I never liked the eggyness of bread pudding but without them it sounds fantastic! I have to give this a try.
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.
This promises to tantalize!! Thank you:)
Sumptuous!
you got the photo mid-sauce drip! not to mention, pumpkin + bread pudding = I must lick screen now. serious!
I’ve just found your blog, and am already in love with your recipes… this one is definitely getting bookmarked!
[…] anything more cozy than a pumpkin dish for an unexpectedly chilly day, it would definitely be a pumpkin bread. But this time, my sweet tooth was no where to be found, relenting to the otherwise quiet desire […]