Desserts

Maple Bacon Bread Pudding

Name: Maple Bacon Bread Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh French bread loaf; 16 oz Godshall’s beef bacon; 4 tbsp butter; ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup maple syrup; 4 cups evaporated milk; 4 large eggs; ½ cup sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp sea salt; Maple Glaze; 4 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp maple syrup; 2 tsp cornstarch; 2/3 cup sugar; 12 oz evaporated milk

ByEric Jones posted onMarch 26, 2026October 21, 2026 Updated onOctober 21, 2026

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Some flavor combinations always deliver, and salty, smoky, and sweet is one of them. A slice of maple syrup-drenched bacon next to a stack of pancakes is a classic, but we’re taking that iconic duo and elevating it to a whole new level. Enter: Maple Bacon Bread Pudding.

maple bacon bread pudding in a casserole dish served with maple brown sugar sauce

Set aside what you know about traditional bread pudding. Instead, we’re crafting a rich, rib-sticking dessert that straddles the line between savory and sweet. Starting with a decadent, custard-soaked bread pudding base, we layer in the flavors and textures of crispy beef bacon and caramelized maple syrup.

Why this will be your new favorite bread pudding recipe:

The Ultimate Flavor Balance: The smoky crunch of beef bacon perfectly complements the sweet maple custard.
Textural perfection: French bread contrasts perfectly with the crispy, bite-sized bacon pieces and the velvety maple glaze drizzled on top.
The “Secret” Factor: By incorporating rendered bacon fat into the custard, we unlock a depth of flavor that is out of this world.

individual serving of maple bacon bread pudding on a dessert plate

Baker’s Tip!

You can use day-old, slightly stale French bread, challah, or brioche. Its sturdy, rich structure will absorb the custard without dissolving into mush.

Ingredients you’ll need to make Maple Bacon Bread Pudding:

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below

maple bacon bread pudding recipe ingredients

To bring that Maple Bacon Bread Pudding to life, each ingredient plays a specific role in balancing the smoky, salty, and sweet profiles while ensuring a perfectly custardy texture.

French bread has a sturdy crust, tender center, and sturdy crumb. It acts like a “sponge” for the custard. Using a denser loaf like this helps the bread pudding hold its shape instead of turning into mush. You can also use day-old challah or brioche.
Beef bacon will provide a deep, smoky saltiness and a necessary crunch that cuts through the sweetness of the maple and sugar.
The custard will be made in two parts. The first part is a maple brown sugar mixture made with excess beef bacon drippings, butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. The molasses in the brown sugar adds a deep, caramel-like profile and helps create a slightly sticky texture within the bread pudding. The second part is the blend of eggs, evaporated milk, and sea salt (for balance). Using evaporated milk instead of regular whole milk gives a more concentrated, creamier flavor without the extra water.
For your aromatics and spices, you’ll need vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon.
To make the maple glaze (optional), you’ll need butter, maple syrup, cornstarch, sugar, and evaporated milk.

How to make Maple Bacon Bread Pudding:

Prepare the bacon and French bread. Place the bacon on a baking sheet (paid link) and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Save any excess bacon drippings for the custard. Cut the French bread loaf into medium-sized cubes and place it in a large bowl. Chop the bacon into small pieces and place it in the bowl. Set aside a handful of bacon to top the bread pudding before putting it in the oven.

Make the custard. In a small pot, add the excess bacon drippings, butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup over low heat and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. In a separate bowl, whisk (paid link) together the evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and sea salt. You can also use a hand mixer (paid link).

Combine the ingredients. Pour the maple brown sugar and custard mixtures into the bowl with the bread and bacon. Lightly fold all ingredients together.

Refrigerate the bread pudding. Pour all ingredients into a 9 x 13 casserole dish (paid link) and refrigerate, allowing the bread pudding to soak for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

Bake the bread pudding. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, then cool for an additional 30 minutes.

Make the maple glaze (optional): Add the butter, maple syrup, and cornstarch, then stir over medium-low heat until combined. Add the evaporated milk and sugar, then cook for 10 more minutes. Allow to cool and thicken, then drizzle over the bread pudding to serve.

Drizzling maple sauce on the baked maple bacon bread pudding

Tips & Tricks

Use bread that is a day or two old, or lightly toast your cubes in a low oven. This allows the bread to soak up as much custard as possible without collapsing or becoming soggy.
Don’t bake immediately! Let your bread sit in the custard for at least 3 hours; preferably overnight in the fridge. This ensures every single cube is completely soaked.
You can make bread pudding ahead of time and store leftovers. To make ahead of time, assemble it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. To store baked leftovers, place them in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Freezing is also possible for up to 2 months. It is best reheated in the oven or microwave.