Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding Recipe

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This Krispy Kreme Donut Bread Pudding will have you in love at first bite. It's the best bread pudding ever, easy and delicious with a classic glazed donut sauce!

Love baked dessert recipes? Try my Super Moist Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Peach Cobbler Pound Cake, or Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake!

Turn those Leftover Stale Donuts into Delicious Donut Bread Pudding!

I'm thrilled to share this amazing bread pudding recipe with y'all. It's the spitting image of the Krispy Kreme doughnut bread pudding from 4 Rivers Smokehouse, which had us all obsessed back in our South Florida days. They also had awesome ribs and baked mac and cheese.

But my husband could not stop talking about their donut bread pudding. Stale donuts all mixed up in a divine custard mixture with luscious pineapple and sweet raisins, baked until beautiful and golden brown, then drizzled with the most delectable glazed donut icing.

This dessert is pure decadence, the ultimate comfort food for a cozy breakfast or a special occasion!

Why You'll Love this Recipe 

• Perfect recipe for those old donuts - I can't be the only one with leftover doughnuts sometimes! It's a great way to use up those donuts that were on their way out.
• Ideal for holiday brunch or dessert - made with classic, simple ingredients, this is special enough to bring out on Thanksgiving or Christmas for brunch with poinsettia mimosas, or dessert with white chocolate martinis!
• Make this recipe ahead of time - you can freeze this breakfast casserole and then bake it the day you want to serve it up! So easy.
• Use your favorite donut - leftover stale cake donuts, apple cider donuts, any brand of plain glazed yeast donuts work. I just like Krispy Kreme's the best.

What is Krispy Kreme Doughnut Bread Pudding?

The original Krispy Kreme bread pudding came about for the same reason that bread pudding was created: wanting to not waste food that is on its way to going bad.

Stale doughnuts that weren't going to be eaten now get a second chance at culinary life after being soaked in a sweet and spiced egg mixture, and baked, then coated with a glazed doughnut sauce...I mean, it's genius yet so obviously right in front of our faces the whole time.

Now to thank Paula Deen for making it so popular.

Equipment

One of the great things about this recipe for donut bread pudding is you only need a handful of kitchen staples to make it. Here is everything you’ll need:

• Measuring Cups & Spoons - While you’re welcome to riff on more traditional “cooking” recipes, most anything in the baking world requires more precision. Make sure you’re prepared with the right tools so you can get consistently delectable results every time!
• Cutting Board & Serrated Knife - For making short work of making small pieces of donut.
• Mixing Bowls - You’ll need a large bowl to mix the bread pudding and the vanilla glaze.
• Silicone Spatula - For getting every last custardy drop of bread pudding into the baking pan and allllll the vanilla donut glaze onto your masterpiece.
• Whisk - For whipping up a velvety smooth glaze and getting that custard together!
• 9 x 13-inch pan or baking dish- For baking your glazed donut bread pudding to golden perfection. Use a smaller pan for a taller slice of bread pudding.

Ingredients for Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding

Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delectable, restaurant-worthy dessert recipe.

Donut Bread Pudding

• Leftover Glazed Krispy Kreme Donuts - stale Krispy Kreme doughnuts are the tried and true MVPs. You don’t even need to go to an actual krispy kreme store to get them, either! You should be able to find them in the bakery section of your local grocery stores, the day-old donuts are usually on clearance. 
• Granulated Sugar - White sugar provides a neutral flavor while adding sweetness, letting the rich vanilla flavor of the donuts and glaze shine through.
• Salted Butter - Butter makes everything better, doesn’t it? I like to use salted butter since salt is a must in balancing out the sweetness in desserts, but you’re welcome to use unsalted and add about ¼-½ teaspoon of kosher salt to taste.
• Half-and-Half - In case you didn’t know, this popular creamer is made with half whole milk and half heavy cream. Feel free to make your own! *Cue The More You Know Rainbow*
• Eggs - There’s nothing like eggs for making a deliciously custardy bread pudding. They both act as a binder and give the dessert it’s signature tender, wobbly, pudding-like texture.
• Ground Cinnamon 
• Vanilla Extract - a must for giving a well-rounded flavor in anything sweet!
• Canned Crushed Pineapple - If you only have pineapple rings or chunks on hand, you can easily crush them by pulsing them in a food processor with the blade attachment.
• Raisins - While raisins might be a divisive ingredient, it's a must for the authentic-restaurant-version of this recipe. I also love the juicy, sweet pops of texture they add to this doughnut bread pudding. Feel free to use either regular brown raisins or golden raisins (also known as sultanas). 
• Heavy Whipping Cream - I know you’re all thinking, “Eden! We already added half-n-half! Now we’re adding cream, too?!?” The answer is YES, and let me tell you why. First, it adds a ton of rich, almost buttery flavor to the donut pudding. Second, it makes the texture even more luscious as the donuts soak this rich mixture up. And finally, it gives the baked bread pudding a gorgeous golden brown top. Don’t skip it.

Vanilla Donut Glaze Icing

• Confectioners Sugar - Interestingly enough, this ingredient is also known as “icing sugar” because it dissolves flawlessly into frostings and glazes. If you’re fresh out, feel free to make your own using granulated sugar and cornstarch or potato starch.
• Whole Milk - For a rich, creamy icing texture.
• Vanilla Extract - For adding warmth and depth of flavor.

How to Make Krispy Kreme Donut Bread Pudding Recipe

Step 1 | Mix together all the custard ingredients with the crushed pineapple and raisins.

Step 2 | Pour the liquid mixture over the chopped up donuts and give it a good mix to cover every piece.

Step 3 | Place the custard-soaked donut pieces into your baking dish in an even layer.

Step 4 | Pour the heavy cream over the donut mixture. Let soak in for at least an hour, but overnight is best!

Step 5 | Bake it in your preheated oven until golden brown. Before serving, whisk together the glaze and pour over the top of the donut bread pudding!

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

As much as my family and I LOVE this glazed donut bread pudding recipe just the way it’s written, there is plenty of room for you to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Gluten-Free - Try this recipe with your favorite glazed GF donuts for a celiac-friendly treat.
• Swap the glaze for a boozy rum sauce, chocolate sauce, or even a delish caramel sauce with brown sugar.
• Dairy-Free - Use vegan butter, your choice of unsweetened plant-based creamer for the half-n-half and heavy cream, and your choice of unsweetened creamy plant-based milk (e.g. oat, coconut, or soy).
• Different Donut Flavors - While vanilla-glazed donuts are a nearly universal crowd pleaser, there are lots of other delectable options out there. Try maple glazed donuts and swap in maple extract for the glaze, swap in cider donuts and make a delicious apple cider icing, or use citrus-glazed doughnuts and add lemon or orange zest to the glaze for a fun twist.
• Donut Holes - The doughnuts need to be in smaller pieces to make bread pudding, so why not start with itty bitty donut holes instead?
• Add-Ins - Not a fan of raisins? Swap in dried cranberries instead. Want to add some springy Hummingbird Cake flair? Add in toasted pecans. Chocolate chips are always a winner, in my opinion! Or, give your leftover donut bread pudding more of a tropical vibe by adding shredded coconut and a sprinkling of lime zest and a splash of coconut rum. The possibilities are nearly endless!
• Top with fresh fruit for a seasonal bit of love.
• Muffin Cup Bread Puddings - If you’re going to a potluck or cookout, you may not want to deal with doling out individual servings of this delectable donut dessert. If that’s the case, use muffin tins to bake pre-portioned treats instead! Just make sure to adjust the bake time down accordingly. I’d probably start checking them around the 18-minute mark.

Pro Tips

• Waste not, want not - Bread pudding is already all about using up what you already have, so keep the budget-friendly train going! Save the pineapple juice from your crushed pineapple to make a gorgeous guava passion fruit mocktail.
• Don’t rush the soaking step - While I totally get the urge to toss your Krispy Kreme donut bread pudding directly into the oven without passing Go, remember: patience is a virtue! Letting the custard and cream soak into the torn donuts allows them to fully soak up the custard. This helps create a more uniform consistency and, more importantly, keeps the donuts from drying out during baking.
• Watch (and smell) as it bakes - If the top of the bread pudding is browning too quickly, be ready to lightly tent it with aluminum foil. Make sure you leave plenty of venting room for the steam to escape so it doesn’t get soggy!
• Use room temperature eggs - When a baking recipe calls for room temp eggs, it’s not a suggestion. In this case, letting the eggs warm up means they’ll incorporate into the custard batter easily, which will help create a better consistency overall and even baking.

Serving Suggestions

This bread pudding with donuts is like a big ol' hug from your grandma, a sunny day at the beach with a scoop of ice cream, and a warm blanket on a cold winter night all wrapped up in one delicious dish.

Trust me, y'all are gonna wanna make this for every church potluck, cookout, and holiday celebration you can think of!

It's the perfect treat for:

• Brunch - Donuts are already fit for breakfast in my book, but this decadent bread pudding for dessert just takes the cake! You must try it with my strawberry spinach salad for a rich finish to a respectable meal, or if you're feeling particularly indulgent, pair it with my croque madame sandwiches for the ultimate culinary delight.
• Lunch - Who says dessert is just for after dinner? Treat your besties to a lovely ladies luncheon featuring a lemony brown butter sheet pan salmon followed by this fabulous finale.
• Dinner - Next time you’re having a casual family get-together, serve up pure Southern comfort in the form of Roasted Chicken and Sauteed Asparagus for dinner with this cozy donut pudding for dessert.

Make Ahead, Storage, and Reheating Instructions

• Feel free to make the custard mixture up to 2 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
• You’re also welcome to make the donut bread pudding up through step #2, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, or, if well-wrapped in several layers, in the freezer for up to a month. When you’re ready to serve, defrost it overnight in the fridge, then bake and glaze as directed.
• If you have leftovers, let them cool completely before wrapping them well or storing them in an airtight container. They should keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to a month.

FAQs

More Dessert Recipes like This

Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding

By: Eden Westbrook

4.86 from 7 votes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

This easy Krispy Kreme donut bread pudding dessert recipe combines stale leftover glazed donuts soaked in a decadent custard!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Soak Time: 1 hour hr

Cook Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

12 servings

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Ingredients 

Donut Bread Pudding

• ▢ 12 day-old Krispy Kreme doughnuts
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 4 tablespoon salted butter, melted
• ▢ 2 cups half and half
• ▢ 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ▢ 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ 1 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
• ▢ ½ cup raisins
• ▢ ¼ cup heavy cream

Vanilla Donut Glaze Icing

• ▢ 1 ½ cup confectioners sugar
• ▢ 3 tablespoon whole milk
• ▢ 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

Donut Bread Pudding

• Carefully chop the krispy kreme donuts into quarters and put them into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  12 day-old Krispy Kreme doughnuts
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, butter, half and half, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract, crushed pineapple, and raisins. Pour the mixture onto the stale donut pieces and mix together well.
  1 cup granulated sugar, 4 tablespoon salted butter, 2 cups half and half, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained, ½ cup raisins, 2 large eggs
• Place the donut custard into a 9 by 13 inch baking dish and smooth into an even layer, then pour the ¼ cup heavy cream over the bread pudding. Let soak for at least an hour, but overnight is preferred.
  ¼ cup heavy cream
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the donut bread pudding for an hour, until the tops are golden brown.
• Let cool for 20-30 minutes and pour icing over top. 
• Serve warm.

Vanilla Donut Glaze Icing

• Whisk all the icing ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl until smooth. 
  1 ½ cup confectioners sugar, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 tablespoon whole milk
• Pour over the cooled bread pudding before serving

Last step!Be sure to snap a pic and share on Instagram #sweetteaandthyme and tag me at @sweet_tea_thyme so we can all see!

Recipe Notes

Make-Ahead, Storage, & Reheating

• Feel free to make the custard mixture up to 2 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
• You’re also welcome to assemble the stale donut bread pudding up through step #2, then wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, or, if well-wrapped in several layers, in the freezer for up to a month. When you’re ready to serve, defrost it overnight in the fridge, then bake and glaze as directed.
• If you have leftovers, let them cool completely before wrapping them well or storing them in an airtight container. They should keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to a month.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g, Calories: 291kcal (15%), Carbohydrates: 44g (15%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 12g (18%), Saturated Fat: 7g (44%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 63mg (21%), Sodium: 87mg (4%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 40g (44%)