This Krispy Kreme bread pudding recipe takes classic glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts and turns them into a delicious, moist bread pudding with hints of warm cinnamon and vanilla. Does it get any better?!
Hey Cousins! Today, I am sharing possibly one of the most decadent desserts ever to grace my blog, and it’s one that I’ve been making for a while.
During the holidays, my Instagram timeline is full of subscribers making my recipes, as well as recipes that celebrities make for their holiday spreads. One celebrity was raving about a bread pudding from their local caterer. It wasn’t just any old-fashioned bread pudding—it was a Krispy Kreme doughnut bread pudding! Usually, I’d be shocked at the idea of turning sweet, glazed donuts into bread pudding, but I have to admit I wasn’t. Why? Well, I’ve been making this donut bread pudding for a while now.
The first time I ever heard of Krispy Kreme bread pudding was from the one and only Paula Deen a few years back. I thought it was a fantastic idea and knew I had to try it. However, her recipe has fruit in it, and that isn’t “my thing,” so I changed a few ingredients and made my own perfected Krispy Kreme bread pudding recipe.
What Is Krispy Kreme Doughnut Bread Pudding?
Bread pudding has a rich history, almost as sweet as the dish itself. As far back as the 11th century, budget-friendly cooks (my kinda people!) made bread pudding to use up leftover stale bread. The traditional recipe contains many of the same ingredients used in most bread pudding recipes today: eggs, cream, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, and butter. Recipes have evolved over the years, and now there are countless ways to make bread pudding—from an old-fashioned bread pudding to eggnog cranberry bread pudding, peach blueberry bread pudding, and many more variations.
Donut bread pudding, however, is a whole other ballgame. There’s even an original Krispy Kreme bread pudding recipe created by the company itself. Since we’re using sweet donuts, you don’t have to add any sugar to this recipe. The original glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts MAKE the dish. The doughnuts are soaked in a creamy egg mixture flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg and finished off with a vanilla rum glaze.
Ingredients for Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding
So, what exactly do you need to make this sweet dessert? Well, like I said above—if you’ve made a bread pudding recipe before, the ingredient list won’t surprise you. However, be warned: this recipe is not for the faint-hearted! It’s very sweet and requires a lot of Krispy Kreme doughnuts… the temptation is very real!
Here’s everything you need to make donut bread pudding:
- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: you’ll need two dozen original glazed donuts. Yep—24 donuts! (And yes, it’s perfectly okay to sneak one or two extra donuts for yourself; I won’t judge! 😉)
- Sweetened Condensed Milk & Whole Milk: the liquid base for the bread pudding custard.
- Eggs: you only need two large eggs for this recipe. Pro-tip: add an additional egg yolk or two for an extra creamy custard.
- Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: the warm spices used in the liquid custard mixture. (I also add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness—trust me, it works!)
Ingredients for the Vanilla Rum Glaze:
- Confectioners Sugar: also known as powdered sugar. This is the base of the sauce.
- Butter: adds creaminess to the glaze, making it a hint thicker.
- Milk: to liquefy the powdered sugar.
- Vanilla Extract & Rum Extract: to flavor the glaze. I use rum extract to make it kid-friendly, but if you’re not serving kids, go ahead and use regular rum if desired.
Equipment Needed:
- Large Bowl: seriously—the bigger, the better. Two dozen chopped-up donuts take up a lot of room! (You’ll also need a second bowl for the liquid mixture.)
- Baking Dish: a 9-by-13-inch pan or casserole dish is best for this recipe.
- Whisk: to make the liquid custard mixture. You won’t want to use a hand mixer, as it will overbeat the eggs.
- Medium Sauce Pot: for making the vanilla rum glaze on the stovetop.
- Baking Spray: to keep your baking dish non-stick (believe me, don’t skip on this step!). The Pam no-stick cooking spray with flour is my go-to for any baking needs.
How to Make Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding (Steps + Video Tutorial)
This donut bread pudding recipe is indeed very easy and oh-so-worth the sugar high. Here’s an overview of the steps to make a Krispy Kreme doughnut bread pudding. Remember to check out the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements and complete directions. You can also check out my step-by-step video tutorial to see how I make my recipe.
Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding Recipe Steps:
- Cube up the donuts and put them in a large bowl. Set them aside until the egg and cream mixture is ready.
- In a separate bowl, make the bread pudding custard mixture. Add the eggs, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and whisk everything together until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture into the bowl with the donuts and mix until all the donuts are soaked in that creamy liquid. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes until soft and slightly mushy. (Pro-Tip: watch my YouTube video to see the perfect texture for the bread pudding mixture. The donuts should be mushy and well-combined with the liquid, with a few larger chunks of donuts still visible.)
- Prep your baking dish. Spray it with non-stick baking spray, spread the bread pudding mixture evenly in the baking dish, and bake in a pre-heated 350-degree oven for 45 minutes until the bread pudding is puffy and golden brown.
- Next, make the vanilla rum glaze. Melt butter over medium heat, then mix confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and rum extract. Once well combined, keep the glaze over very low heat until the bread pudding is ready to serve.
This Krispy Kreme bread pudding needs to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. You can top it with the glaze when it’s cooled or serve the glaze with each individual slice. I’m telling y’all, this donut bread pudding is to die for! If you’re a fan of sweet breakfasts or decadent desserts, you gotta try this recipe. It’s perfect for a special occasion or weekend brunch and feeds a crowd.
Donut Bread Pudding Recipe Tips, FAQs, and Variations
Now, y’all know I always say that my recipes are best when you follow the directions to a T. However, even the best cooks like to make their own tweaks. So, let’s address some common FAQs about bread pudding, as well as some delicious recipe variations.
Do I need to use stale Krispy Kreme doughnuts in this recipe?
I personally do not wait for the donuts to get stale, so you can use fresh donuts in this recipe, and it will not affect the end result at all. However, if you happen to have extra donuts left over that have gone stale, you most certainly can use those too. (Warning: I know it’s hard to resist the temptation to snack on a donut or two. Snack away!)
Do I have to use Krispy Kreme? Can I use any type of donut for donut bread pudding?
Classic glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts work best. Let’s face it, Krispy Kreme stores are becoming harder to find these days. So, if you don’t live near a Krispy Kreme (or can’t find them at your local grocery store, bakery, or gas station), then any plain glazed donut will do the trick. Go for a raised yeast donut or a simple cake donut. This recipe works best with plain instead of anything filled, topped with thick frosting or toppings (like sprinkles).
Can I make this donut bread pudding with fewer donuts?
Yes, you certainly can cut this recipe down in half! As written, this donut bread pudding will serve between 8-10 people (depending on the size of the slices). If you want to make a smaller serving, use one dozen donuts, cut the rest of the ingredients in half, and bake the bread pudding in a smaller pan.
Recipe Variations for Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding:
- Choose some mix-ins to up the flavor. Popular mix-ins would be raisins, pecans or walnuts, or chocolate chips.
- Switch up the icing. You can drizzle chocolate sauce or caramel sauce on top. Make a brown sugar sauce or butter rum sauce for icing with deeper flavors.
- Make a creamier custard. Use heavy cream instead of whole milk, and add an extra egg yolk (separated from the white) to thicken the custard mixture.
- Serve with a scoop of ice cream—vanilla or chocolate—or top with fruit (strawberries, bananas, or blueberries would be delicious).
When to Serve Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding?
You can serve this donut bread pudding recipe as a dessert or for breakfast. It’s perfectly okay to make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the fridge to serve the next day. While it’s best served fresh, it’s crazy simple to reheat and tastes just as delicious! My Krispy Kreme bread pudding recipe serves a crowd, so it’s a great alternative dessert for a birthday or a holiday dinner.
Looking for more decadent dessert recipes? Don’t miss these sweet treats:
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Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Donuts
- 2 eggs
- 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 8 tbsp butter
- 3 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp rum extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Cut or tear the donuts apart and toss them into a large bowl.24 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Donuts
- In a separate bowl, beat two eggs, then pour in the whole milk and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until everything is well combined, then add in the nutmeg, salt, and cinnamon. Beat the ingredients.2 eggs, 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup whole milk, 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 tsp salt
- Pour the egg and milk mixture over the donuts and use a spatula to fold the mixture together. Make sure the donuts are covered with the wet mixture, then let sit for 15 minutes to absorb the wet mixture.
- Next, spray a 9×13 bake dish with baking spray, then add the bread pudding mixture.
- Press the bread pudding down into the dish to get rid of any air that may in the donuts.
- Bake the bread pudding for 45 minutes at 350 F.
- Remove the Krispy Kreme Donut Bread Pudding from the oven, and let it cool.
- While the pudding is cooling, make your Vanilla Rum Sauce.
- In a medium-sized pot, add 8 tbsps of butter and place the pan over medium heat.8 tbsp butter
- Once the butter is melted, add in 3 cups of confectioner's sugar and whisk the ingredients together.3 cups confectioners sugar
- Next, pour in 1/4 cup milk and stir until the icing is nice and creamy.1/4 cup milk
- Add in the vanilla and rum extracts. Mix until well incorporated.1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp rum extract
- Keep the vanilla rum sauce over very low heat until you are ready to serve.
- Once the bread pudding has cooled, cut into slices and serve. Drizzle the vanilla rum sauce over the bread pudding, and enjoy!!
monique says
Hi rosie although this recipe looks great the sugar and carbs count will do me in. Can you please post some deserts that are healthier and require either no sugar or very little sugar and butter. I love your recipes but my health just dosent allow me to indulge anymore in the sweets and fatting foods. Any healthier ideas you can share would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
monique
Ryeshonae says
This looks awesome! I can’t wait to make it for my family!!! 🙂
Rosie says
Let me know how you like hun!
CeeCee says
Hi Rosie, made this last night OMG!!!! Soooo yummy & sinful. Here in NYC it’s difficult to find Krispy Kreme donuts, but found a store in Penn Station. They only had 17 glazed left I had to substitute the other 7 with the sugar donuts, which still came out AWESOME. Thank you Rosie for this recipe, you are AMAZING.
DW says
My godmother found this recipe on Youtube. We made it together as exactly as the recipe says. It taste delicious!!! The glaze was good, but the bread pudding doesn’t need it. So the next time, we didn’t make it. Thank you for this recipe!
Rosie says
Hi there! I’m glad that your Godmother found the recipe! You can definitely skip the glaze. XOXO
Jackie Greig says
I pinned this with OMG! Look what I found!
I am thinking there is nothing better that this.
(Jackie in BC Canada)
Rosie says
It’s delicious, but very addictive. I only make it during the holidays. Lol
Tabby says
Hey Rosie ,
I have a question if I was to use regular rum do you have any suggestions on the brand and how much should I use with following the same sauce recipes.
Thanks
Rosie says
I always use rum extract, which can be found in the baking isle at most grocery stores. If I were to use regular rum, I’d probably use Bacardi… You can play around with it, and adjust it to your taste.
Tabby says
Ok great, thanks .excited to try
Harriet says
Hands down the best bread pudding ever! I have played around with ingredients a couple of times and it never disappoints. I’ve substituted almond exstract, added raisins, you name it, always fantastic! Thank you
Rosie says
Hi Harriet! So glad that you like the recipe!
Nia says
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
Rosie says
Try unsalted
Donna says
Do you have a recipe using bread instead of donuts? I am sure this recipe is great but much too expensive for my budget. Thanks again and I love your recipes. Happy Holidays.
Donna
Rosie says
Not one posted, sorry 🙁
David says
In video you state bake for 30 mins and recipe states 45 mins?
Rosie says
Please follow the written recipe 🙂
Wendy says
I just made it & it tastes like a warm honeybun!! The only things I did differently was 1/2 the recipe, use grocery store donuts & I was out of rum extract so I used almond extract. Hands down the best bread pudding ever! Will certainly remake it for the holidays!
Christian says
Awesome awesome awesome! There’s a restaurant where I’m from called WalkOn’s that sellS this dessert. Since moving, I haven’t been able to enjoy. I’ve tried a few recipes trying to replicate their dessert, and this is the ONE! Thank you so much. The only thing I omitted was the rum extract.
Cassia says
I’m going to make this for my daughter, she already asked me lol… I make a mean bread pudding myself but I love to try other recipes as well Rosie your bread pudding looks amazing!!! Thanks for sharing!! ❤
Cassia Tatum
EDS says
I did not change a thing and it was hands down the best estate bread pudding ever. We had three other desserts and not one of them was touched while this bread putting was the star of the day. It is absolutely now my holiday bread pudding. The glaze was fabulous but the bread pudding could be stand alone. Now it is sweet but what would you expect from something made from Krispy Kreme Donuts Just wonderful!!!!!!!! Thank you!!
Dee says
Looks Awesome! going to try it for Christmas.