Slow Cooker Apple Pecan Bread Pudding
Apple pecan bread pudding is a delicious dessert, made easily, using a slow cooker! One of my friends requested another cooking “lesson” at my house. And I use the term “lesson” loosely.
Out for lunch, we brainstormed till we decided on a crockpot recipe theme. Instead of me doing all the cooking, I handed out recipes and assigned myself the Slow Cooker Apple Pecan Bread Pudding recipe for dessert.
Apple Pecan Bread Pudding
We all had slow cookers, but most of them were just taking up prime real estate in our kitchens. I dusted mine off, cubed some cinnamon bread, apples, and whipped up a custard.
My crockpot was turned on at 7 AM and by 10 AM the house was filled with the aroma of cinnamon and spice. I gave a very brief presentation focusing on some pointers for the best results when using a crockpot or slow cooker:
- Choose a cut of meat that stands up to slow and moist cooking like a chuck roast, chicken thighs instead of breasts, or pork shoulder.
- Brown your meat first for an extra boost of flavor.
- Finish off your dish with fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon, some Parmesan or a drizzle of good olive oil to brighten the flavor.
- Keep the lid on your crockpot so no heat escapes. These dishes were designed to cook without stirring. The clear lid allows you to see how the dish is progressing.
- Cooking on low will take approximately twice the time to finish as cooking on low.
- Put hard veggies like carrots, potatoes in first, so they will cook through.
- Remove the skin from your chicken and trim any obvious excess fat from your meats so you don’t have an oil slick atop your finished dish.
Here are the dishes we sampled along with the tweaks to the recipes in parentheses:
- Susan’s Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs (use turkey breast, seasoned bread crumbs, may substitute rehydrated and ground raisins for the brown sugar for a healthier option)
- Sally’s BBQ Beef (may thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry)
- Jeanne’s Italian Beef (use only 1 package Italian dressing mix and add a sliced onion)
- Shelli’s Chicken Enchilada Soup (may use bone-in/skin-on chicken breasts, canned tomatoes, frozen corn, omit heavy cream and cayenne)
- Liz’s Bread Pudding Recipe (add a pinch of salt, vanilla, and freshly grated nutmeg)
Budget-Friendly Meals
A dessert like an apple pecan bread pudding, that’s made of pantry items like bread, apples, and nuts doesn’t break the bank. And during the holidays, a dessert you can park in a slow cooker and ignore for 4 hours is perfect.
If you’re looking for a more traditional bread pudding recipe, this Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce is spectacular! Or if you’re gluten free, this Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding might hit the spot!
Slow Cooker Apple Pecan Bread Pudding
A hands off way to make a delicious bread pudding!
Ingredients
- 8 slices cinnamon bread, cubed ( I used Pepperidge Farm)
- 2 medium tart apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Place bread cubes, apples and pecans in a greased slow cooker.
- In a bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the eggs, half-and-half, cider, vanilla, salt, and butter; mix well.
- Pour over bread mixture. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Serve with a scoop of ice cream if desired.
Notes
Adapted from Taste of Home.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 524Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 329mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 4gSugar: 47gProtein: 8g
24 Comments on “Slow Cooker Apple Pecan Bread Pudding”
I’ve never used a slow cooker, but I’m sure it would be so worth it – the ease and making an awesome bread pudding like this!
Time to wipe the dust off my crockpot as well!
I use my crock pot all the time but have never made a dessert in it. I make bread pudding all the time as well and am going to try this crock pot version. Thanks
I love a good bread pudding. I need to try this soon!
I confess, I have never made a dessert in my slow cooker. Mea Culpa. This sounds so soft and comforting and well, downright perfect.
I love how simple this is. Perfect for the holidays!
Loving this, Liz. Slow cooker desserts can be so marvelous… I want a bite!
This bread pudding looks AWESOME, Liz! I love that Pepperidge Farm cinnamon bread on its own, but baked slowly into a bread pudding sounds incredible! This is the perfect, no-fuss Thanksgiving dessert!
Oh my gosh, how did you know I’m obsessed with bread pudding?! It’s seriously one of my very favorite desserts, and I love that you made yours in a crockpot! Pinning!
Bread pudding in the slow cooker is such a good idea, and apple desserts are the best!
I think I need to buy a crock pot again! This looks great! What a fun way to do a get together!
I haven’t had bread pudding for so long!! I can almost smell the delicious spices too YUM.
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Nothing beats apple desserts. This looks sublime!
So many awesome things going on in that bread pudding, love pecans too. I wish I was at the class lol. I do use my slow cookers a few times a year. I should more. Great tips. My mom says you loose like 30 min of cooking every time you lift the lid.
During the holidays, crockpots are especially useful to help free up the precious stovetop and oven space. This bread pudding is a perfect way to utilize the crockpot to make a delicious dessert!
It’s a good thing my husband can’t see my computer screen right now!
That lesson sounds like a really fun gathering for friends. I bet all the food was amazing too and your dessert looks like the perfect way to end a meal.
MMM, I could just smell this gorgeous bread pudding!!
I’ve been having a love affair with my slow cooker lately! Love this recipe!
Perfect autumn pudding!!!
Have a nice Sunday
Apple and a lot of cinnamon.. I already want this pudding 😀
Lots of great slow cooker ideas:@)
I admit I don’t use my slow cooker as often as I probably should. Would make for a lot less hassle on weeknights if I did dust it off! Your bread pudding sounds wonderful. I love me some pecans!
I didn’t even know that you can make bread pudding using a slow cooker. Live and learn!! It looks so comforting and delicious, Liz.