Indulge in the ultimate dessert fusion with this easy Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding recipe. By transforming classic glazed doughnuts into a rich, custardy masterpiece topped with a buttery Caramel Pecan Topping, you can create a show-stopping Mardi Gras dessert or a decadent weekend treat. Whether you are looking for a creative way to use leftover doughnuts or a New Orleans-style bread pudding with a unique twist, this recipe delivers a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite.
In New Orleans, bread pudding holds significant cultural importance during Mardi Gras festivities. Since Mardi Gras falls just before Lent, New Orleanians cleverly used rich ingredients like eggs and milk in bread pudding before Lent, making it a decadent pre-Lenten treat. Bread pudding, particularly homemade versions, became a staple dessert for family gatherings and Mardi Gras celebrations. Sharing this sweet treat fostered a sense of community and tradition.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Want to Make Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Caramel Pecan Topping
- Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding
- Steps To Make Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding
- Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Caramel Pecan Topping
- Steps To Make the Caramel Pecan Topping
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Other Great Mardi Gras Treats
- Recipe
Why You'll Want to Make Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Caramel Pecan Topping
- Unique Twist on a Classic: It elevates traditional comfort food by using iconic glazed doughnuts instead of standard bread.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of sweet glazed doughnuts, creamy vanilla custard, warm cinnamon, and nutty toasted pecans creates an irresistible flavor profile.
- Versatile Serving Options: You can enjoy this dish warm or cold, making it perfect for anything from a cozy family dinner to a large festive gathering.
- Decadent Pre-Lenten Tradition: It captures the spirit of New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations, where rich ingredients like eggs and milk were traditionally used up before the start of Lent.
Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding
Steps To Make Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside until ready to use. Place one Krispy Kreme doughnut on a cutting board and cut into eight pieces. Repeat with the rest of the doughnuts.
- Then, place all of the cut doughnut pieces into a large bowl.
- Add the toasted pecan pieces and set the bowl aside while you make the custard.
- To make the custard, start by pouring the whole milk and heavy whipping cream into a separate bowl. Then, add the large eggs.
- Next, add light brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Next, whisk everything together, making sure to break up the eggs, until well combined.
- Then, pour the custard mixture over the cut doughnuts and toasted pecan pieces.
- Stir everything together to combine well. Then, let everything sit in the bowl for a few minutes to allow the cut doughnuts to absorb the custard and for the flavors to meld together.
- Next, pour everything into the prepared baking dish. Then, use a rubber spatula to spread everything into an even layer in the baking dish, pressing it down into the pan as you spread it. Bake in a 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes. While the bread pudding is baking, make the caramel pecan topping.
Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Caramel Pecan Topping
Steps To Make the Caramel Pecan Topping
- When there are about 15 minutes remaining for the baking time of the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding, place a small saucepan over medium-high heat and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the heavy whipping cream and light brown sugar.
- Then cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- When the sauce reaches a full boil, allow it to cook for three minutes. Then, add the vanilla extract.
- And the toasted pecan pieces.
- Then, stir to combine everything. Remove from the heat and set aside until ready to use.
- Remove the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding from the oven.
- Then, immediately pour the caramel pecan sauce over the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes to cool and absorb the Caramel Pecan Topping. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Caramel Pecan Topping is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings a taste of New Orleans "Mardi Gras magic" to your kitchen. From the melt-in-your-mouth doughnut pieces to the crunchy, buttery glaze, every spoonful is an indulgent celebration. Give this easy doughnut bread pudding recipe a try for your next brunch or holiday gathering-your guests will definitely be asking for seconds! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While original glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts are the star here, you can also use brioche, challah, or even croissants. You can even experiment with chocolate-glazed or sprinkle doughnuts for different flavor profiles.
Sure! Chocolate sauce, fruit compote, or even a simple powdered sugar dusting are all delicious options.
It is delicious both ways! Serving it warm offers a gooey, comforting experience, while chilling it provides a firmer texture and a slightly sweeter taste.
If you prefer something different, you can top the pudding with a simple dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, or a fresh fruit compote.
Wrap the pudding tightly or place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Stale is Gold: Use doughnuts that are 1-2 days old. Their drier texture allows them to absorb the custard more effectively without becoming mushy.
- Quick Drying Method: If your doughnuts are fresh, you can lightly toast them in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes to dry them out before starting the recipe.
- Uniform Cubing: Cut your doughnuts into even-sized pieces (about eight pieces per doughnut) to ensure uniform baking and consistent custard absorption.
- The Power of Dark Brown Sugar: While light brown sugar adds subtle caramel notes, you can swap it for dark brown sugar to intensify the richness and depth of the topping.
- Leftover Transformation: Don't let extra bread pudding go to waste-it can be sliced, dipped in an egg mixture, and fried to make a unique "Pain Perdu" or French toast for breakfast.
Other Great Mardi Gras Treats
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Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Caramel Pecan Topping
Equipment
- 9x13 baking dish
- non-stick cooking spray
- 2 large bowls
- cutting board
- knife
- small saucepan
- rubber spatula
- whisk
Ingredients
For the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding
- 12 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ c whole milk
- ½ c heavy whipping cream
- ½ c light brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ c pecan pieces, toasted
For the Caramel Pecan Topping
- ⅓ c unsalted butter
- ⅔ c light brown sugar firmly packed
- ⅓ c heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ c pecan pieces, toasted
Instructions
Steps to make the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place one Krispy Kreme doughnut on a cutting board and cut into eight pieces. Repeat with the rest of the doughnuts.
- Then, place all of the cut doughnuts into a large bowl.
- Next, add the toasted pecan pieces and set the bowl aside while you make the custard.
- To make the custard, start by pouring the whole milk and heavy whipping cream into a separate bowl.
- Then add the large eggs, light brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Whisk everything together, making sure to break up the eggs, to combine.
- Pour the custard over the cut doughnuts and toasted pecan pieces, then stir well to combine everything.
- Let everything sit in the bowl for a few minutes to allow the cut doughnuts to absorb the custard and for the flavors to meld together.
- Pour everything into the prepared baking dish. Then, using a rubber spatula, spread everything into an even layer, pressing it down into the pan as you spread it.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes.
Steps to make the Caramel Pecan Topping
- When there's about 15 minutes remaining for the baking time of the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding, place a small saucepan over medium-high heat and add the unsalted butter.
- Once the butter has melted, add the heavy whipping cream and light brown sugar. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until it comes to a full boil. When the sauce reached a full boil, allow it to cook for three minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract and the toasted pecan pieces. Stir to combine everything.
- Remove from the heat and set aside until ready to use.
- Remove the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding from the oven.
- Immediately pour the caramel pecan sauce over the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes to cool and absorb the Caramel Pecan Topping.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Yield 12 servings.
Star says
Hi I was wondering in the steps to making the caramel pecan topping steps 3 & 4 both say to remove from heat, are you talking about something else or did you just say it twice in the steps for the caramel pecan topping
Susan Ensley says
I'm so sorry about the confusion, it was a mistake saying it twice. You'll stir in the vanilla extract and toasted pecan pieces, then remove it from the heat. I hope this helps clear it up. Enjoy the Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding, it's incredible!
Thanks,
Susan