Chocolate Cherry Doughnut Bread Pudding is the perfect reason to intentionally buy too many glazed doughnuts and let them dry out a bit. Bread pudding is classic comfort food, and when studded with dark chocolate chunks and sweet black cherries and made with glazed yeast doughnuts, it becomes something truly special — rich, creamy, and souffle-like.
If you’ve ever thought doughnuts were just an occasional treat, try them transformed into bread pudding and you may change your mind. Glazed doughnuts absorb the custard beautifully, creating a custardy interior with a golden, slightly crisp top. The cherries add juicy, fruity bursts and the dark chocolate creates pockets of molten richness. This dessert blends the best elements of bread pudding, pastry, chocolate, and fruit — and can reasonably be enjoyed for breakfast, an indulgent afternoon snack, or a cozy dessert paired with tea or coffee.
Cook’s Notes
- Use glazed, yeast doughnuts (like Krispy Kreme). This recipe is tested with those; cake doughnuts may behave differently.
- For best texture, let doughnuts dry at least three days. If short on time, leave chopped doughnuts uncovered overnight, or dry them in a 250°F oven until just dry to the touch.
- For the creamiest result, combine doughnuts with the custard and refrigerate overnight so the pieces soak evenly. If you don’t have time, the pudding will still be delicious, just slightly less uniform.
- If you skip the overnight soak, be sure frozen cherries are thawed before mixing in; otherwise baking time may increase.
- Bittersweet chocolate chunks produce lovely pockets of melted chocolate, but dark or semi-sweet chunks or morsels also work. Milk chocolate will sweeten the dish; results will vary depending on your preference.
- You can double the recipe and bake in a 9″ x 13″ dish; expect a longer cook time (up to about 110 minutes). Bake until puffed, set, and still slightly jiggles in the center. The center temperature should reach 165°F–170°F if you use an instant-read thermometer.
- Serve with cream whipped just long enough to thicken it slightly. Thickened cream will coat the pudding and mingle with the cherries and chocolate without overpowering the dish.
Tools used to make Chocolate Cherry Doughnut Bread Pudding
- Chef’s knife and cutting board for chopping doughnuts
- Mixing bowl and sturdy spatula
- 9-inch baking dish or deep-dish pie pan (or 9″ x 13″ for a double batch)
- Sheet pan (for drying doughnuts if needed)
- Whisk and measuring cups
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Chocolate Cherry Doughnut Bread Pudding
Rebecca Lindamood
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter plus extra for the pan
- 1 tablespoon whiskey vanilla extract or pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- ½ cup sugar
- 5 cups stale glazed yeast doughnuts cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups frozen black cherries
- 3/4 cup bittersweet or dark chocolate chunks
- non-stick cooking spray
Optional for serving:
- a dusting of powdered sugar
- whipping cream, whipped just long enough to slightly thicken
Instructions
-
Beat the eggs, then whisk in the milk, melted butter, vanilla, and nutmeg until combined. Add the sugar and whisk until dissolved. Toss the doughnut cubes with the cherries and chocolate chunks.
Generously butter a 9-inch baking dish and pack the doughnut mixture tightly into the pan. Pour the liquid custard over the doughnuts and press down lightly to help them absorb the custard. Cover the dish with foil (sprayed side down) and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight to allow the doughnuts to soak. - When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325°F. Place a shallow pan filled with boiling water on the lower oven rack to create a gentle steam. Bake the pudding on the upper rack for 55–70 minutes, removing the foil after about 40 minutes, until the top is golden and the pudding is puffed and mostly set. The center should still have a slight jiggle. Let the pudding cool and set for 30 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and spoon barely-thickened cream over each portion if desired.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using the specific brands and amounts you use.
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