Peach Bread Pudding Recipe
This Peach Bread Pudding is a warm, comforting dessert made with soft bread, juicy peaches, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, and a rich homemade custard. As it bakes, the top becomes golden and slightly crisp while the center stays soft, moist, and creamy.
It's an easy Southern-inspired peach dessert that's especially good during peach season, but you can make it year-round with fresh, frozen, or canned peaches.
Why You'll Love This Peach Bread Pudding
Soft and custardy inside
Golden, slightly crisp top
Packed with juicy peaches
Warm cinnamon and brown sugar flavor
Easy to prepare
Great way to use leftover bread
Fresh, frozen, or canned peaches work
Perfect for dessert, brunch, or holidays
What Does Peach Bread Pudding Taste Like?
Peach Bread Pudding has the rich, custardy texture of traditional bread pudding combined with flavors reminiscent of peach cobbler and peaches and cream.
The peaches become tender and juicy as they bake, while cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar, and butter create a warm caramelized flavor.
Using brioche or challah makes the dessert especially rich because those breads already contain butter and eggs.
Ingredients
For the Peach Bread Pudding
8 cups cubed brioche, challah, or French bread
3 cups peeled and diced or sliced peaches
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Brown Sugar Peach Topping
1 cup diced or sliced peaches
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup light brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Optional Vanilla Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Peach Bread Pudding
1. Prepare the Bread
Cut the bread into approximately 1-inch cubes.
Slightly stale bread works particularly well for bread pudding because it absorbs the custard without immediately falling apart.
If your bread is very fresh, spread the cubes onto a baking sheet and allow them to sit uncovered for several hours.
For a faster method, bake the bread cubes at 300°F for about 10 minutes to dry them slightly.
2. Prepare the Peaches
Peel and slice or dice the peaches.
If they're especially juicy, gently blot away some of the excess liquid with a paper towel.
You want plenty of juicy peach flavor without adding unnecessary liquid to the custard.
3. Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Add the bread cubes and 3 cups of peaches to the dish.
Gently toss them together so the peach pieces are distributed throughout the bread.
4. Make the Bread Pudding Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Whisk until the eggs are completely incorporated and the sugar begins to dissolve.
5. Pour the Custard Over the Bread
Slowly pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and peaches.
Gently press the bread into the liquid with the back of a spoon or spatula.
Make sure most of the bread becomes coated in custard.
6. Let the Bread Soak
Allow the bread pudding to rest for 20 to 30 minutes before baking.
This gives the bread time to absorb the creamy custard and helps create a soft, moist center.
For an even richer texture, you can cover the dish and refrigerate it for several hours before baking.
7. Add the Peach Topping
Combine the remaining peaches with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Spoon the mixture over the top of the soaked bread pudding.
Make sure some of the peaches remain visible on top for a beautiful golden peach finish.
8. Bake
Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45 to 55 minutes.
The top should be golden brown and slightly crisp while the center is set but still moist.
A knife inserted near the center should come out mostly clean without liquid custard.
Be careful not to overbake it. Bread pudding should remain soft and custardy rather than dry.
9. Let It Rest
Remove the Peach Bread Pudding from the oven and let it rest for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
This allows the custard to finish setting and makes the pudding easier to serve.
Optional Vanilla Glaze
While the bread pudding cools slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or heavy cream, and vanilla.
Add additional milk a teaspoon at a time until the glaze reaches your preferred consistency.
Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm Peach Bread Pudding immediately before serving.
How to Make Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding
You can easily turn this into an even more decadent Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding.
Before baking, add a brown sugar crumble made with:
½ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup cold butter
Cut the butter into the flour, sugar, and cinnamon until coarse crumbs form.
Sprinkle the crumble over the peaches before baking.
You'll get a buttery, crumbly top similar to homemade peach cobbler over the creamy bread pudding.
Peach Bread Pudding Variations
Peach Bourbon Bread Pudding
Add a splash of bourbon to the custard for a deeper Southern-inspired flavor.
Peach Pecan Bread Pudding
Add ¾ cup chopped pecans throughout the bread mixture or sprinkle toasted pecans over the top.
Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding
Top the pudding with brown sugar streusel before baking.
Peach Cream Cheese Bread Pudding
Add small pieces of sweetened cream cheese throughout the bread for creamy cheesecake-style pockets.
Peach Caramel Bread Pudding
Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the finished dessert.
Peach Blueberry Bread Pudding
Replace about 1 cup of the peaches with fresh blueberries.
How Do You Know When Bread Pudding Is Done?
The edges should look set and the top should be golden brown.
The center may still have a slight jiggle when the baking dish is gently moved, but it shouldn't look liquid.
Remember that the custard will continue setting as the bread pudding rests after baking.
Overbaking is one of the easiest ways to end up with dry bread pudding.
What to Serve With Peach Bread Pudding
Serve it warm with:
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
Vanilla glaze
Caramel sauce
Peach Sauce
Powdered sugar
Fresh peaches
Toasted pecans
For a classic dessert, add a large scoop of vanilla ice cream to warm Peach Bread Pudding and let it melt into the peaches and custard.
What Is the Best Bread for Bread Pudding?
The best bread is sturdy enough to absorb the custard without completely falling apart.
Good options include:
Brioche
Challah
French bread
Italian bread
Texas toast
Croissants
Brioche is my favorite for Peach Bread Pudding because its buttery flavor works particularly well with peaches.
Avoid extremely thin sandwich bread unless that's all you have available.
Can I Use Fresh Peaches?
Absolutely.
Fresh peaches are ideal when they're in season. Choose ripe, fragrant peaches that are still firm enough to slice.
Peeling the peaches isn't mandatory, but peeled peaches create a softer texture in the finished bread pudding.
Can I Make Peach Bread Pudding With Canned Peaches?
Yes. Canned Peach Bread Pudding is an easy way to make this recipe year-round.
Drain the peaches thoroughly before adding them.
Peaches packed in juice are preferable, although peaches in syrup will work. If using peaches packed in heavy syrup, consider reducing the added sugar slightly.
Can I Use Frozen Peaches?
Yes.
Thaw frozen peaches completely and drain away the excess liquid.
Gently pat them dry before adding them to the bread pudding.
Frozen peaches tend to release additional moisture, so draining them is important for maintaining the proper custard consistency.
Can You Make Peach Bread Pudding Ahead of Time?
Yes. Assemble the bread, peaches, and custard in your baking dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight.
Add the peach topping before baking.
This also gives the bread plenty of time to absorb the custard.
How to Store Peach Bread Pudding
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container or covering the baking dish tightly.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Because bread pudding contains an egg-and-dairy custard, it should be refrigerated rather than stored at room temperature for extended periods.
How to Reheat Peach Bread Pudding
Individual servings can be reheated in the microwave until warm.
For larger portions, cover the baking dish loosely with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Add a small splash of milk or cream before reheating if the pudding seems dry.
Can You Freeze Peach Bread Pudding?
Yes.
Allow the bread pudding to cool completely before dividing it into individual portions.
Wrap each portion tightly and freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Peach Bread Pudding made of?
Peach Bread Pudding combines bread, peaches, eggs, milk, cream, sugar, butter, vanilla, and warm spices. The bread absorbs the custard before everything is baked until golden.
Should bread pudding be moist or dry?
Bread pudding should be soft and moist in the center, not dry. The custard should set during baking while leaving the bread tender.
Why is my bread pudding soggy?
Too much liquid, excessively juicy peaches, insufficient baking time, or using bread that is too fresh can result in soggy bread pudding.
Do you have to use stale bread?
No, but slightly stale bread absorbs custard particularly well. Fresh bread can be dried briefly in the oven before assembling the recipe.
Can Peach Bread Pudding be served cold?
Yes, although it's especially delicious warm. Refrigerated leftovers can also be enjoyed cold if preferred.
Does Peach Bread Pudding need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Because it contains eggs, milk, and cream, leftovers should be refrigerated.
Final Thoughts
This Peach Bread Pudding transforms simple bread and peaches into a rich, comforting dessert with a golden top and creamy custard center. Juicy peaches, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and vanilla give every bite warm peach cobbler-inspired flavor.
Serve it fresh from the oven with vanilla ice cream for dessert, or make it ahead for an easy peach dish for brunch, holidays, and family gatherings.
More Peach Recipes
If you're building a peach dessert spread, try: