Chocolate-Drizzled Donut Bread Pudding: Decadent Dessert Magic!

Tired of throwing away those day-old donuts? Turn them into something extraordinary! This Chocolate-Drizzled Donut Bread Pudding transforms simple donuts into a decadent dessert that will have everyone begging for seconds. With its crispy edges, custardy center, and heavenly chocolate drizzle, this dessert is pure comfort food magic that’s surprisingly easy to make. Keep reading to discover the perfect ingredient combinations, helpful preparation tips, and creative serving suggestions that will make this donut bread pudding your new go-to dessert.

Why This Donut Bread Pudding Recipe Works

• Uses leftover donuts for an economical, waste-reducing dessert
• Simple 30-minute prep with mostly pantry staples
• Perfect for both casual family desserts and impressive dinner party finales
• Customizable with various donut flavors and mix-ins
• Make-ahead friendly for stress-free entertaining

Choosing the Right Donuts for Bread Pudding

Best Donuts for This Recipe

For the ultimate donut bread pudding, glazed donuts provide the perfect sweetness and texture. Their sugar coating melts into the custard, creating caramelized pockets throughout. Cake donuts work wonderfully too, as they hold their structure while soaking up the rich custard. Even filled donuts can be used, providing delightful surprise bites of cream or jelly.

Buying Tips

Look for day-old donuts, which are often discounted at bakeries and perfect for bread pudding. Slightly stale donuts actually work better than fresh ones since they absorb more of the custard mixture. If using fresh donuts, let them sit out for a few hours before preparing your bread pudding.

Substitutions

No donuts on hand? You can substitute other sweet breads like cinnamon rolls, challah, or brioche. Even plain croissants make an excellent base for this chocolate-drizzled donut bread pudding, though you may want to increase the sugar slightly to compensate.

Ingredients & Prep for Donut Bread Pudding

Donut Prep Essentials

Before assembling your bread pudding, cut your donuts into 1-inch chunks. This creates more surface area for soaking up the custard and ensures even baking. If using filled donuts, you can either leave the filling intact for flavor bursts or scrape it out for a more consistent texture.

Custard Mixture Ingredients

• 6-8 medium donuts (about 4-5 cups when cubed)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 large eggs
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Chocolate Drizzle Ingredients

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon butter

Step-by-Step Donut Bread Pudding Instructions

Pre-Cooking Donut Bread Pudding Prep

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cut the donuts into 1-inch pieces and arrange in the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
4. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the donut pieces, gently pressing down to ensure all pieces get soaked.
5. Let sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the donuts to absorb the custard.

Cooking Method for Donut Bread Pudding

1. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
2. Remove foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
3. The internal temperature should reach 165°F when tested with a thermometer.

Doneness Check for Bread Pudding

Your donut bread pudding is done when a knife inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown and slightly crisp, while the interior remains moist and custardy.

Resting Your Donut Bread Pudding

Allow the bread pudding to rest for 15-20 minutes before serving. This resting period helps the custard set up properly and makes it easier to portion. During this time, prepare your chocolate drizzle.

Pro Tips for Perfect Donut Bread Pudding

Avoiding Soggy Bread Pudding

• Don’t oversoak your donuts – 15-20 minutes is usually sufficient
• Ensure proper ratio of custard to donuts (you should have some custard visible but donuts shouldn’t be swimming)
• Bake until the center is set but still has a slight jiggle
• Use the foil-removal technique to ensure a crispy top and custardy center

Tool Recommendations

A deep baking dish works best for donut bread pudding, allowing space for the pudding to rise slightly during baking. A kitchen thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness, and a serrated knife makes cutting through the baked pudding easier.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover donut bread pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture when reheating, cover with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 30-45 seconds. Looking for more amazing dessert ideas? Check out my Pinterest collection for endless inspiration!

Flavor Variations for Donut Bread Pudding

Fruity Twist

Add 1 cup of fresh berries or diced apples between the donut layers for bursts of fruity flavor and a beautiful color contrast. Blueberries and raspberries work particularly well, releasing their juices during baking for a natural fruit sauce effect.

Nutty Delight

Incorporate ½ cup of toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds for added crunch and nutty flavor. Sprinkle them between layers or on top before baking. You could also add a tablespoon of amaretto to the custard for enhanced nutty notes.

Seasonal Flavors

Serving Suggestions for Donut Bread Pudding

This chocolate-drizzled donut bread pudding is delicious on its own, but becomes truly spectacular with thoughtful accompaniments. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts into the warm pudding. A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds lightness, while a sprinkle of toasted nuts provides textural contrast.

For a complete dessert experience, pair with a cup of quality coffee or hot chocolate. The bitterness of coffee perfectly balances the sweetness of this indulgent dessert.

FAQs About Donut Bread Pudding

Can I make donut bread pudding ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the bread pudding up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking, or add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

How do I know when my donut bread pudding is done?

The bread pudding is done when the edges are set and slightly pulled away from the sides of the dish, while the center still has a slight jiggle. A knife inserted in the center should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Can I freeze donut bread pudding?

Yes, you can freeze baked and cooled donut bread pudding for up to 2 months. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a 300°F oven until warmed through.

Can I use different types of donuts in one bread pudding?

Absolutely! Using a variety of donut flavors creates an interesting and unique bread pudding. Just be aware that chocolate or heavily flavored donuts will influence the overall taste more dramatically than plain glazed varieties.

Conclusion

Transform ordinary donuts into an extraordinary dessert with this irresistible Chocolate-Drizzled Donut Bread Pudding. With its perfect balance of crispy edges and custardy center, topped with a decadent chocolate drizzle, this dessert is sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re looking to repurpose day-old donuts or create an impressive dessert for guests, this recipe delivers remarkable results with minimal effort.

Don’t let those donuts go to waste! Try this recipe tonight and join thousands of home bakers who’ve discovered the magic of donut bread pudding. And if you enjoyed this creative repurposing of donuts, be sure to check out our Donut French Toast recipe for another delightful transformation!

Chocolate-Drizzled Donut Bread Pudding: Decadent Dessert Magic!

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• Author: Emma
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Chocolate-Drizzled Donut Bread Pudding is pure decadent dessert magic — rich, gooey, and unbelievably easy to make! Made with leftover donuts soaked in creamy vanilla custard and finished with a luxurious chocolate drizzle, it’s a dessert dream come true.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

6 glazed donuts, cut into large chunks

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (for drizzle)

1 tbsp butter (for melting chocolate)

Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.

2. Arrange donut chunks evenly in the dish.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

4. Pour the custard evenly over the donuts, pressing gently so they soak up the mixture.

5. Let sit for 10–15 minutes to absorb.

6. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden and set in the center.

7. Melt chocolate chips with butter in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

8. Drizzle melted chocolate over the warm bread pudding.

9. Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm.

Notes

🍩 Tip 1: Use a mix of glazed, chocolate, or old-fashioned donuts for texture variety.

🍫 Tip 2: Add peanut butter or caramel drizzle for an indulgent twist.

☕ Tip 3: Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra decadence.

🔥 Tip 4: Reheat leftovers in the oven for the best texture.

💛 Tip 5: Perfect for using up stale donuts — they soak up custard beautifully!

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 square
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 310mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: donut bread pudding, chocolate drizzle dessert, leftover donut recipe, decadent dessert, easy bread pudding