Indulge in the Ultimate Nutella Bread Pudding: A Decadent & Easy Recipe

Prepare to be enchanted by a dessert that blurs the lines between a luxurious breakfast and an irresistible sweet treat: Nutella Bread Pudding. This delightful creation combines the comforting warmth of traditional bread pudding with the rich, creamy, and undeniably addictive flavor of Nutella. It’s a simple recipe that promises maximum impact, delivering a symphony of buttery, chocolaty, and nutty notes in every spoonful. Perfect for a cozy weekend brunch, a memorable holiday dessert like Thanksgiving, or simply when you crave something truly special, this Nutella Bread Pudding is guaranteed to become a household favorite.

There’s something inherently magical about bread pudding – transforming humble stale bread into a glorious dessert. When you introduce Nutella, that magic intensifies. The result is a pudding that’s tender on the inside with a hint of crispiness on top, enveloped in a dreamy, hazelnut-chocolate custard. It’s a dish that evokes warmth, comfort, and pure indulgence, making it ideal for sharing with loved ones or savoring all by yourself.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Nutella Bread Pudding

This isn’t just another bread pudding recipe; it’s a meticulously crafted experience designed for ultimate satisfaction. Here’s why this particular Nutella Bread Pudding stands out and deserves a prime spot in your recipe collection:

Unforgettable Flavor Combination: The classic comfort of bread pudding meets the rich, creamy, and intensely satisfying taste of Nutella. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of sweet chocolate, roasted hazelnut, and buttery bread, creating an experience that’s both nostalgic and incredibly decadent.
Incredibly Versatile: Whether you’re planning a lavish brunch, seeking an impressive yet easy Thanksgiving dessert, or simply craving a comforting evening treat, this Nutella Bread Pudding fits the bill. It’s rich enough for a special occasion but simple enough for an everyday indulgence. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert, or enjoy it lightly warmed with a cup of coffee for a sweet breakfast.
Effortless Preparation: Don’t let its luxurious taste fool you; this recipe requires minimal effort. With just 10 minutes of active prep time, you can assemble this magnificent dessert. The oven does most of the heavy lifting, allowing you to relax while your kitchen fills with the most delightful aromas.
Rich & Buttery Texture: We use croissants as our bread base, which provides an unparalleled flaky, buttery texture that soaks up the custard beautifully. The result is a pudding that’s wonderfully soft and moist, with delightful pockets of molten Nutella and crunchy pecans.
A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Nutella has a universal appeal, and when combined with the beloved comfort of bread pudding, it creates a dish that everyone, from children to adults, will adore. It’s the perfect dessert to bring to a potluck or serve at a family gathering.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Nutella Bread Pudding

Creating this magnificent Nutella Bread Pudding relies on a few simple, high-quality ingredients that come together to form an extraordinary dessert. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture:

Croissants (3 large, preferably 1-2 days old): The star of our bread pudding! Day-old croissants are ideal because they’re slightly drier and will absorb the rich custard more effectively without becoming soggy. Their inherent butteriness and flaky layers add an incredible depth of flavor and a wonderfully soft texture that is truly unmatched. If croissants aren’t available, brioche, challah, or even a good quality French bread or baguette can be excellent substitutes.
Nutella (3/4 cup): The heart of this pudding’s decadent flavor. Nutella, a creamy blend of roasted hazelnuts, cocoa, and skim milk, melts into the bread as it bakes, infusing every bite with its signature chocolate-hazelnut taste. Be generous when spreading it!
Pecan Halves (1/4 cup): These add a delightful crunch and a subtle earthy note that complements the sweet Nutella perfectly. They provide a textural contrast that elevates the dish. If you prefer, walnuts or hazelnuts can be substituted, or you can omit the nuts entirely for a smoother pudding.
Eggs (2 large): Essential for creating the luscious custard base. Eggs provide richness and help the custard set, binding all the ingredients together and giving the pudding its characteristic creamy consistency.
Heavy Cream (1 cup): This is what makes the custard incredibly rich and luxurious. The high fat content of heavy cream contributes to the silky smooth texture and decadent mouthfeel of the finished bread pudding.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A staple in most dessert recipes, vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, particularly the chocolate and hazelnut, adding a warm, aromatic depth to the custard.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Often overlooked in sweet recipes, a pinch of salt is a true flavor enhancer. It balances the sweetness of the Nutella and sugar, and crucially, it deepens the chocolate notes, making them more pronounced and complex. Just as it elevates savory dishes, salt prevents sweet dishes from tasting one-dimensional.
Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Provides the perfect level of sweetness for the custard, complementing the Nutella without making the pudding overly cloying.
Powdered Sugar (for dusting, optional): A final flourish that adds a touch of elegance and an extra hint of sweetness before serving.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Nutella Bread Pudding

Creating this delightful Nutella Bread Pudding is surprisingly simple. Follow these easy steps to bring this decadent dessert to life:

Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a small baking dish (a 10-inch x 5-inch loaf pan or a similar size baking dish works wonderfully for this recipe, which serves about 4). This step ensures your pudding won’t stick and will release easily after baking.
Assemble the Croissant Sandwiches: Take your three croissants and carefully slice each one in half lengthwise, as if you were preparing them for a sandwich. Generously spread about 1/4 cup of Nutella onto one cut side of each croissant half. Don’t be shy – the more Nutella, the richer the flavor! Once spread, place the other croissant half back on top to create delicious Nutella-filled sandwiches.
Cut and Arrange the Bread: With the Nutella sandwiches complete, cut them into smaller, approximately 2-inch pieces. This bite-sized format allows for better absorption of the custard and easier serving. Carefully place these croissant pieces into your prepared baking dish, distributing them evenly.
Add the Nuts: Scatter a handful of pecan halves over the croissant pieces in the baking dish. These will add a lovely crunch and a subtle nutty flavor. If you’re not a fan of pecans, feel free to substitute with walnuts, hazelnuts, or simply omit them entirely.
Prepare the Custard Base: In a medium-sized bowl, crack the two eggs. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt, and granulated sugar. Whisk all these ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined and the sugar has dissolved. Ensure there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth. Remember, the salt is crucial here, as it beautifully enhances the chocolate notes of the Nutella.
Pour and Soak: Gently pour the prepared custard mixture evenly over the croissant pieces and nuts in the baking dish. Once poured, use the back of a spoon or your clean hands to gently push down on the croissant pieces, ensuring they are partially submerged in the custard. This action helps the bread absorb the liquid more effectively, leading to a moist and flavorful pudding. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the bread to start soaking up the custard.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The foil helps to steam the pudding, ensuring it cooks evenly and remains moist. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the bread pudding has risen slightly, and all the liquid custard has been absorbed. A knife inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Before serving, a dusting of powdered sugar adds an elegant finish and a touch of extra sweetness. Serve it warm, straight from the baking dish, with spoons, or elevate it further with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Expert Tips for the Best Nutella Bread Pudding

Achieving the perfect Nutella Bread Pudding is simple, especially with these insider tips:

Embrace Stale Bread: While fresh croissants are delicious, day-old bread is truly your secret weapon for bread pudding. Slightly stale bread is drier, allowing it to soak up the rich custard much better without becoming mushy. If your croissants are very fresh, you can gently toast them in the oven for 10-15 minutes at a low temperature (around 250°F/120°C) to dry them out a bit before starting the recipe.
Don’t Limit Your Bread Choices: Croissants offer a wonderfully buttery and flaky base, but don’t hesitate to experiment. Brioche, challah, French bread, or even a hearty baguette can work beautifully. Each will impart a slightly different character to your pudding. The key is using a bread that can absorb liquid well.
Press for Perfection: After pouring the custard over the bread, gently press the bread down into the liquid. This ensures maximum absorption, leading to a moist, flavorful pudding throughout. Don’t skip this step!
The Magic of Salt: A small amount of salt in sweet dishes, especially those with chocolate, is transformative. It brightens and deepens the chocolate flavor, preventing the pudding from being overly sweet and adding a nuanced complexity. Trust us on this one!
Monitor Baking Closely: Baking times can vary depending on your oven and baking dish. Keep an eye on the pudding during the uncovered baking phase. It should be golden brown on top, puffed up, and a knife inserted into the center should come out clean, indicating the custard is fully set.
Scaling the Recipe: This recipe is easily doubled or even tripled if you’re feeding a larger crowd. Just be sure to use a larger baking dish accordingly. A 9×13-inch baking dish is perfect for a doubled recipe.
Customization is Key: Feel free to get creative! Add a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips, a zest of orange peel, or a dash of cinnamon to the custard for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions & Delicious Variations

While Nutella Bread Pudding is spectacular on its own, there are many ways to elevate your serving experience and explore new flavor profiles:

Serving Suggestions:

Classic with Ice Cream: A warm slice of Nutella bread pudding paired with a scoop of cold vanilla bean ice cream creates a delightful contrast in temperatures and textures that is truly heavenly.
Whipped Cream Dream: A generous dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy counterpoint to the pudding’s richness. For an extra touch, swirl a bit of Nutella into the whipped cream itself.
Fresh Berries: Bright, fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries can cut through the richness and add a lovely tartness and freshness to each bite.
Chocolate or Caramel Drizzle: For the ultimate indulgence, drizzle warm chocolate sauce or a sticky caramel sauce over the top before serving.
Powdered Sugar Dusting: As mentioned in the recipe, a light dusting of powdered sugar is a simple yet elegant way to finish the dish, adding visual appeal and a delicate sweetness.
With Coffee or Tea: Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee for a luxurious breakfast, or pair it with an afternoon tea for a comforting treat.

Delicious Variations:

Spiced Nutella Pudding: Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the custard mixture for a warmer, spicier note.
Orange Blossom Nutella: Infuse the custard with a teaspoon of orange zest for a bright, citrusy counterpoint to the chocolate-hazelnut.
Double Chocolate Nutella: Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) along with the pecans for an extra layer of chocolatey goodness.
Boozy Bread Pudding: For an adult twist, add a tablespoon of dark rum, brandy, or hazelnut liqueur (like Frangelico) to the custard mixture.
Fruity Twist: Layer thinly sliced bananas or pears with the croissant pieces for a fruity addition that pairs wonderfully with Nutella.

Make Ahead & Storage Tips for Your Convenience

This Nutella Bread Pudding is not only incredibly delicious but also wonderfully convenient, making it an ideal candidate for meal prepping or making ahead for special occasions.

Making Ahead:

You can assemble the entire bread pudding (croissants, nuts, and custard poured over) up to 12-24 hours in advance. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, then bake as directed. This is particularly useful for holiday mornings or when you want a stress-free dessert for a dinner party.

Refrigeration:

Leftover Nutella Bread Pudding can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It tastes fantastic reheated or even cold straight from the fridge!

Freezing Instructions:

Yes, this Nutella Bread Pudding freezes beautifully! Freezing is an excellent option for extending its shelf life or preparing it well in advance for future enjoyment:

Cool Completely: After baking, allow the bread pudding to cool completely to room temperature.
Chill in Refrigerator: For best results, place the cooled bread pudding (still in its baking dish or transferred to a freezer-safe container) in the refrigerator for a few hours to ensure it is thoroughly chilled. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming during freezing.
Wrap Securely: Once chilled, wrap the bread pudding tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. If you’ve portioned it, wrap individual servings. Ensure no air can get in to prevent freezer burn.
Freeze: Place the securely wrapped bread pudding in the freezer. It will keep well for 2 to 3 months.
Thawing and Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy it, transfer the frozen bread pudding to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Once thawed, you can reheat it in the oven (covered with foil to prevent drying out) at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, or in the microwave for individual portions.

Making this Nutella Bread Pudding ahead of time, especially for events like Thanksgiving, can significantly free up your kitchen and your time, allowing you to focus on other dishes or simply enjoy the company of your guests.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nutella Bread Pudding

Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your Nutella Bread Pudding turns out perfectly every time:

Can I use fresh croissants instead of day-old ones?: While day-old croissants are recommended because they absorb the custard better without becoming soggy, you can absolutely use fresh ones. If using fresh, consider gently toasting them in a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for 10-15 minutes to dry them out slightly before proceeding with the recipe. This small step can make a big difference in texture.
What other types of bread can I use?: If croissants aren’t available, or you simply want to try something different, brioche and challah are excellent alternatives. Their rich, slightly sweet, and soft textures work beautifully in bread pudding. French bread or a baguette can also be used, offering a slightly chewier texture. Avoid very dense or extremely light and airy breads for the best results.
Can I make this recipe without nuts?: Yes, absolutely! If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer your bread pudding without extra crunch, you can easily omit the pecan halves. The pudding will still be incredibly delicious with its rich Nutella and custard base.
How do I know when the bread pudding is fully cooked?: The bread pudding is done when the top is golden brown and appears slightly puffed. The most reliable test is to insert a small knife or a wooden skewer into the center; it should come out mostly clean, indicating that the custard has set and is fully absorbed by the bread. The liquid at the bottom of the dish should also be fully absorbed.
Can I prepare the custard ahead of time?: Yes, you can whisk together the custard ingredients (eggs, cream, vanilla, salt, sugar) and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just give it a quick whisk again before pouring it over the bread.
What size baking dish should I use?: For this recipe (serving 4), a small baking dish, such as a 10-inch x 5-inch loaf pan or an 8×8-inch square dish, works well. If you double the recipe, a standard 9×13-inch baking dish would be appropriate.
Is this recipe suitable for dietary restrictions (e.g., dairy-free, gluten-free)?: The original recipe contains dairy (croissants, heavy cream) and gluten (croissants). To adapt it, you would need to use gluten-free croissants or bread and a dairy-free cream alternative (like full-fat coconut milk/cream or a specific dairy-free heavy cream substitute). Be aware that Nutella itself contains dairy, so a dairy-free chocolate-hazelnut spread would also be necessary for a fully dairy-free version. These substitutions might alter the flavor and texture slightly.

Conclusion: Your New Favorite Indulgence Awaits

The Nutella Bread Pudding is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to indulge in pure comfort and joy. With its straightforward steps, versatile serving options, and the irresistible allure of chocolate and hazelnut, it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re treating yourself to a quiet moment or sharing with a gathering, this bread pudding promises to deliver warmth, happiness, and a truly unforgettable flavor experience. So go ahead, grab your croissants and that jar of Nutella, and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite dessert!

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Recipe inspiration from Adam and Joanne at Inspired Taste!

Nutella Bread Pudding Recipe

This irresistible Nutella Bread Pudding is a dream for breakfast or dessert. Easy to make and bursting with rich chocolate-hazelnut and buttery flavors. A perfect holiday treat or any-time indulgence!

Author: Jaden Hair

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (Based on 3 votes)

Preparation & Cooking Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Details

Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 857 kcal per serving

Ingredients

3 croissants (preferably 1-2 days old)
3/4 cup Nutella
1/4 cup pecan halves (or walnuts, hazelnuts, or no nuts)
2 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a small baking dish (e.g., a 10-inch x 5-inch loaf pan).
Slice each croissant in half lengthwise. Generously spread Nutella onto one side of each croissant half. Put the halves back together to form sandwiches, then cut these into approximately 2-inch pieces.
Place the croissant pieces and pecan halves evenly into the prepared baking dish.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt, and granulated sugar until well combined and smooth.
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant pieces and nuts in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread pieces to help them absorb the custard.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue to bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the bread pudding is golden brown on top, has risen slightly, and the liquid has been completely absorbed. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
Let cool slightly before serving. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving warm.

Notes

This recipe doubles nicely if you’re serving more than 2 people. If you do not have croissants on hand, brioche, Challah, French bread, or a baguette will work well. For best results, use bread that is 1-2 days old, as older bread absorbs the custard more effectively.

Nutrition (per serving)

Keywords

bread pudding, nutella, nutella pudding, dessert, easy dessert, chocolate hazelnut, holiday dessert, breakfast