Easy Donut Bread Pudding Recipe Everyone Loves

There’s something special about turning a few leftover donuts into a dessert that brings everyone to the table. This Donut Bread Pudding Recipe is one of those cozy family favorites that fills the kitchen with the sweet aroma of vanilla and cinnamon as it bakes. Soft glazed donuts soak up a rich, creamy custard, creating a dessert that’s crisp and golden on top while perfectly soft in the center. Whether you’re planning a weekend brunch, serving a comforting dessert after dinner, or looking for a delicious way to use up extra donuts, this recipe never disappoints. It comes together with simple pantry ingredients, is easy enough for beginners, and tastes like something straight from a bakery. Serve it warm with a drizzle of glaze, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and watch it disappear in no time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Donut Bread Pudding Recipe proves that you don’t need a long ingredient list to make an unforgettable dessert. With just a few everyday ingredients, you can transform leftover glazed donuts into a warm, rich, and custardy treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Each ingredient has a specific purpose, working together to create a soft center, a lightly crisp golden top, and plenty of comforting flavor.

• 6 stale glazed donuts, cubed — Slightly stale donuts are ideal because they soak up the custard without becoming mushy. Cutting them into even cubes helps every piece absorb the mixture evenly while creating a beautiful texture after baking.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted — Drizzle the melted butter over the donut cubes before adding the custard. It enhances the buttery flavor and helps the top bake into a lightly crisp, golden crust that contrasts perfectly with the soft interior.
• 4 large eggs, beaten — Eggs are the key to a smooth, creamy custard. Whisk them thoroughly before mixing with the milk so the custard bakes evenly and gives the pudding its rich, sliceable texture.
• 2 cups whole milk — Whole milk adds just the right amount of richness while keeping the dessert light enough to let the donut flavor shine. It soaks into every cube, creating a moist, tender bread pudding.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon — A little cinnamon brings warmth and cozy flavor to every bite. It pairs beautifully with the sweet glaze on the donuts without overpowering the dessert.
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract — Pure vanilla adds depth, sweetness, and a wonderful aroma that ties all the flavors together. Because this recipe uses only a few ingredients, using real vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in the final result.

How to Make Donut Bread Pudding

Making this Donut Bread Pudding Recipe couldn’t be easier. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a warm, golden dessert that’s soft, custardy, and packed with sweet donut flavor. Letting the donuts soak in the custard before baking is the secret to achieving the perfect texture in every bite.

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make serving much easier.

Step 2: Cube the Donuts and Add the Butter

Cut the 6 stale glazed donuts into bite-sized cubes and spread them evenly in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the melted butter over the top, making sure it reaches as many pieces as possible. This helps create a deliciously crisp, golden crust while adding extra buttery flavor.

Step 3: Make the Custard

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the 4 beaten eggs until smooth. Add the whole milk, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract, then whisk again until everything is fully combined. The custard should be smooth, creamy, and evenly blended.

Step 4: Soak the Donuts

Slowly pour the custard mixture over the cubed donuts, making sure every piece is coated. Gently press the donuts down with the back of a spoon so they absorb the liquid evenly. Let the mixture rest for 10–15 minutes before baking. This extra soaking time allows the donuts to become soft and custardy without falling apart.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the center is set. A knife inserted near the center should come out mostly clean with no runny custard.

Step 6: Cool Slightly and Serve

Allow the bread pudding to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm on its own, or make it even more indulgent with a drizzle of vanilla glaze, warm caramel sauce, a dusting of powdered sugar, fresh berries, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Every bite is rich, comforting, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Expert Tips for the Best Donut Bread Pudding

• Choose Stale Donuts:
  Use day-old donuts so they soak up the custard without becoming mushy.
• Let It Soak:
  Rest the mixture for 10–15 minutes before baking to ensure every piece absorbs the custard.
• Bake Until Just Set:
  Look for a golden top and a center with a slight jiggle instead of relying only on the timer.
• Cover if Browning Too Fast:
  Loosely tent the dish with foil during the last 10 minutes if the top is browning too quickly.
• Glaze at the End:
  Drizzle the glaze just before serving so it stays beautifully on top instead of melting into the pudding.
• Let It Rest:
  Cool for 5–10 minutes after baking to help the custard set and make serving easier.
• Serve Warm:
  Enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce for the best flavor and texture.

Substitutions and Variations

Customize this Donut Bread Pudding Recipe with these simple swaps and tasty add-ins.

• Try Different Donuts:
  No glazed donuts? Use old-fashioned, cake, or cinnamon sugar donuts for a different flavor and texture.
• Make It Richer:
  Replace up to half of the whole milk with heavy cream or half-and-half for an extra creamy custard.
• Add a Fruity Twist:
  Mix a few tablespoons of your favorite jam or jelly into the custard for a delicious filled-donut flavor.
• Mix in Extras:
  Fold in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, walnuts, raisins, or fresh berries before baking for added texture and flavor.
• Change the Spices:
  Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice along with the cinnamon for extra warmth.
• Top It Off:
  Finish with vanilla glaze, caramel sauce, maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream for a bakery-style dessert.

How to Store Donut Bread Pudding

Keep your Donut Bread Pudding fresh and delicious with these simple storage tips.

• Room Temperature:
  Cover and keep at room temperature for up to 2 hours if serving the same day.
• Refrigerator:
  Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.
• Freezer:
  Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 15 minutes.

Try more recipe

• Easy Cinnamon Rolls From Scratch 
• Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Mini Pecan Pies

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

This Donut Bread Pudding Recipe is proof that a few simple ingredients can turn leftover donuts into something truly special. With its soft, custardy center, golden buttery top, and comforting flavor, it’s a dessert that’s just as perfect for a cozy family dinner as it is for a weekend brunch or holiday gathering.Whether you’re making it to reduce food waste or simply satisfy a sweet craving, this easy recipe is one you’ll want to keep coming back to. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below, share your favorite variations, and don’t forget to rate the recipe.

Donut Bread Pudding

Bia

This Donut Bread Pudding is a rich and comforting dessert made with leftover glazed donuts soaked in a smooth vanilla-cinnamon custard and baked until golden and soft in the center. It’s easy to prepare with simple ingredients and delivers a warm, bakery-style flavor that’s perfect for family desserts, weekend brunch, or special occasions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6 Slices

Ingredients

  

• 6 stale glazed donuts cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 4 large eggs beaten
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
• Cut the stale glazed donuts into cubes and spread them evenly in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the melted butter over the top.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
• Pour the custard mixture evenly over the donuts, making sure all pieces are soaked. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes so the donuts absorb the liquid.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
• Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then serve warm with glaze, whipped cream, or ice cream.

Notes

This Donut Bread Pudding is best made with slightly stale donuts, as they absorb the custard more effectively and help create a soft, rich texture without becoming too mushy. If your donuts are fresh, you can simply leave them uncovered for a few hours or overnight to dry them out a little. You can also customize this recipe easily by adding chocolate chips, nuts, or a spoonful of jam for extra flavor. For the best taste and texture, serve it warm right after baking, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated before serving.

Keyword glazed donut bread pudding