A delicious fresh Peach Bread Pudding, served with a warm brown sugar sauce. A lovely dessert any time of year, but especially nice with summer fresh peaches!
I feel like I'm breaking some unwritten food blogger rule, by posting two peach recipes in a row. I hope you'll indulge me though. There are only about 3 weeks a year when I can enjoy fresh peaches that only travel a couple of hundred miles to my home and were actually ripened on the tree! (thanks southern Ontario/Niagara).
This peach bread pudding was absolutely delicious! I have developed a new-found love for bread pudding. For years, I thought it wasn't really my thing. Then I made this Cinnamon Crunch bread pudding last year and my mind was completely changed.
I think what I learned from that experience is that I like bread pudding that isn't completely drowned in the egg/milk mixture. I like it with a bit of the bread sticking out, so it develops a bit of crunch on top. And under the crunchy layer, is the creamy goodness. And even though there seems to be a lot of bread sticking out, only the very top gets crunchy. The egg/milk mixture magically wicks up and softens a lot of the exposed part. Add in some fresh peaches and top it with warm brown sugar sauce and it's just about perfection.
Cook's Notes for Peach Bread Pudding with Warm Brown Sugar Sauce
For my version, I used a homemade loaf of honey buttermilk bread. Any loaf of bread will do though. Try to find a day-old loaf of unsliced bakery bread and slice it yourself. If you don't use it all, just freeze what's left for another bread pudding later.
Bread pudding is a very flexible dish. You can slice your bread or cube it. Either way, simply scatter it around your dish or dishes. Place some peaches here and there in between. Pour your egg/milk mixture over until it nears the top of the bread, but doesn't cover completely. Let stand 15 minutes, then top up the egg/milk mixture a bit to make up for what has soaked in to the bread. Bake.
Watch during the last part of baking, as the bread sticking up can over-brown. Simply cover with a loose piece of aluminum foil if needed.
Peach Bread Pudding with Warm Brown Sugar Sauce
Ingredients
Bread Pudding:
- 1/2 loaf day-old unsliced bakery bread
- 3-4 peaches (peeled and sliced)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla or vanilla bean paste
- 4 tsp white sugar (for topping)
Brown Sugar Sauce:
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and grease 4 individual dishes or an 8x8-inch baking pan. Set on to a baking sheet and set aside.
- Peel peaches and cut in to slices. Set aside.
- Slice bread in to thin 3/4-inch slices or cube. If using slices, you'll want your bread pieces to be about an inch higher than the height of your baking dish, so figure out how tall they should be and cut off the bottom of the slices to that height. (*You won't need the part you cut off the bottom, but you can use them by cutting them in to cubes and making some croutons with them!). Then cut each of the trimmed slices in half from top to bottom to make two pieces. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1/2 cup white sugar, cream, milk and vanilla.
- Place your bread slices in to your baking dishes (or disby slightly overlapping them (crust side facing the side of the disand allowing them to tilt back a bit. If using cubes, place in your dish or dishes. Place some peach slices in the gaps between the bread. Pour some of the egg mixture over the bread and in to the dishes, just until it reaches the top edge of the dish or until it nears but doesn't cover the top of the bread. Allow to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, then top up with remaining egg mixture, just until it reaches the edge of the dish again or near the top of the bread. You may not need it all.
- Lightly brush the top of the bread with a bit of the egg mixture, then sprinkle a heaped 1 tsp. of white sugar over the top of each dish, especially on the top crust edge. Place dishes on baking sheet (to catch any overflow!) in to preheated 350° oven and bake for about 35 minutes, or until golden and set. (*You may want to check at 25-30 minutes in case it's browning too quickly, in which case, just lay a sheet of aluminum foil over top while it finishes baking.
- Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before eating. If not eating right away, allow to cool for 10 minutes, then cover and refrigerate.
- While puddings are baking, make the brown sugar sauce by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, cream and a pinch of salt and stir to combine. Allow to come to a boil, stirring regularly. Once it comes to a boil, cook another few minutes, stirring regularly, then remove from heat and pour in to a bowl or pitcher. Cover and refrigerate if not using right away. Can be re-warmed in the microwave/saucepan to serve.
- Serve puddings at warm, at room temperature or slightly re-warmed in the microwave, topped with warm brown sugar sauce (*You'll want to place your small dishes on a plate, as the brown sugar sauce will most likely spill over the sides when poured on top).
Jane says
Living in the southern Ontario/Niagara region I am so fortunate to be surrounded by fruit farms....I can drive maybe a couple miles and see all kinds of farm stands selling fresh peaches! I tend to gorge on them in season because they are my favorite fruit and I know how quick the season ends. I had a half basket still in the fridge and I was trying to figure out what to make with them - this recipe screamed out MAKE ME lol. It was so good, I will probably make it all year if I can force myself to use a can of my home canned peaches (i almost ration them out to last the year lol)
Jennifer says
You are lucky, Jane! One of my favourite parts of the province :) So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much.
Mattie E Hughes says
Can can PEACHES be use as well.
Jennifer says
Hi Mattie, I haven't tried this one using canned peaches, but I feel like it should work just fine.
Rashidah says
This looks so yummy, I haven't tried it yet but plan to
As a tropical bird - do you think it would work with mangoes -
Jennifer says
Hi Rashidah and yes, I think it would work just fine with mangoes :)
Garcelle says
Thinking of making this for a Friendsgiving but wondering if you think pears would work instead of peaches? Can't wait to try it!
Jennifer says
Hi Garcelle and yes, I think pears would be lovely and should cook up similarly to peaches. I would make sure to start with ripe pears, so they are slightly soft and moist.
Bella Marin says
Ive been on a bit of a baking kick! making a ton of your recipes lately!!! This one and your brownie smores bars have been my go to dessert!
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Bella :) Thanks
Debra says
Can apples be subbed for peaches? Peaches are not in season in the Fall, but Honeycrisp apples are and they're delicious!
Jennifer says
Hi Debra, you could try apples, though I'm not sure they would cook completely in just 35 minutes in the oven. If you wanted to try, I would either slice paper thin or pre-cook the apple slices before adding to the pudding. Let me know how it works if you try it :)
Marilyn says
This is the second time I am using your recipe! It was amazing the first time and I'm sure the second time around will be even better! ❤
Thanks so much for sharing!
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Marilyn :) Thanks!
Sandy says
Jen, you give bake time based on individual ramekins, how about baking time for the 8 x 8?
Jennifer says
Hi Sandy, the baking time would be the same for either size.
Gwen says
Made it today and it was AMAZING! Thank you for sharing!
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Gwen! Thanks :)
Mark says
Made this for my family last night and everyone loved it!
Jennifer says
So glad to hear! Thanks :)
Kaitlyn says
In the oven right now, can't wait! :)
Jennifer says
Do enjoy! :)
Chris says
Jennifer,
This is such a good recipe. I made it for our card party today and everyone loved it. I doubled the sauce recipe so that everyone could have a good amount. It was yummy. This is definitely a keeper.
Jennifer says
Hi Chris and so glad to hear you enjoyed this. I am a bread pudding lover and especially enjoyed this one with the peaches :) Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Ellen says
I need this on my Thanksgiving dessert table. I usually make apple bread pudding, but this looks fabulous. So......don't hate me, but I'm going to use ....canned peaches. I know, I know but there aren't any fresh peaches this time of year. I'm also going to bake it a day ahead [too much jockeying for oven space on the big day] so we shall see how it turns out reheated. Thanks for the recipe.
Jennifer says
Sounds lovely Ellen and this time of year, I'd take a canned peach over something pretending to be a peach at the market ;) Do enjoy!
Janice @Kitchen Heals Soul says
I am torn. I wanted to make peach pie, and then I saw your recipe.... it's a tough decision to make.
Maybe I should make a peach pie AND this peach bread pudding. After all, peach season is short, right ;)
Jennifer says
Definitely both Janice. Peaches are so delicious and economical right now. Go for it!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
WOW! Gorgeous! I definitely need this in my life asap!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Phi.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Oh I love the presentation on this. I always just cube up the bread for bread pudding. This is so much more elegant. Can't wait to try it!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Liz. I cube sometimes, too. Slicing is great for smaller dishes, as I think it looks pretty.
Tieghan says
All I have to say is bring on the peaches! :)
Oh and this is gorgeous!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Tieghan. And I agree. Can't get enough peaches right now :)
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
WOW! This looks insanely good! Look at that delicious crunchy top and those golden peaches.. Mmmm!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Jessica. The peaches are just perfect right now!
Clara Teixeira says
This looks so amazingly yummy! I think I will try it with gluten free bread as I can't eat regular stuff. I pinned it and have been drooling over it all day. :-)
Jennifer says
Thanks Clara! Absolutely would be great with gluten free bread. I don't have a lot of experience with gluten free bread, but if it's really soft, it might benefit from a light toasting before baking in the pudding. I've done that before with regular bread in bread puddings if it's too fresh/soft. Enjoy!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Gorgeous bread pudding, I love that brown sugar sauce!
Jennifer says
Thanks Laura. The sauce just really takes this one over the top!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This bread pudding is a total dream! I can taste that sauce from here!
Jennifer says
Thanks Katrina. Yes ... that sauce!