Deliciously Easy 3-Point Weight Watchers Apple Raisin Bread Pudding: Your Go-To Healthy Dessert Recipe
Prepare to be amazed by this incredibly easy and utterly delicious 3-point Weight Watchers Apple Raisin Bread Pudding. This recipe proves that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or comfort when following a Weight Watchers plan. It’s a delightful sweet treat that perfectly balances health-conscious choices with the rich, satisfying experience of a classic dessert.
Bread pudding holds a special place in the world of desserts. It’s a timeless classic, celebrated for its comforting flavors and ability to transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary. While often associated with the cozy seasons of fall and winter, its versatility makes it a perfect sweet indulgence any time of the year. The very origin of bread pudding speaks to its resourceful nature: a brilliant way to repurpose day-old bread, preventing food waste and creating something truly magical in the process. Instead of turning stale bread into croutons, why not elevate it into a magnificent dessert? That’s certainly my philosophy!
Our fantastic apple bread pudding recipe elevates this humble dish with a symphony of flavors and textures. It features warm, aromatic cinnamon, delightfully chewy raisins, and a blend of sweet and tart apples, all suspended in a luscious, custardy base. Raisins, though often higher in points when following WW, are used judiciously here. A small amount distributed across 15 servings adds immense flavor and texture without significantly impacting your daily points budget. They beautifully complement the crisp apples, enhancing the overall fruitiness. And then there’s the heavenly custardy texture of the bread, infused with those comforting hints of cinnamon – it’s a truly blissful experience. One bite of this apple raisin bread pudding will transport you to a realm of comforting flavors and a harmonious blend of textures, all for an astonishingly low 3 Weight Watchers points per serving!
Why This Weight Watchers Apple Raisin Bread Pudding Recipe is a Must-Try
- Savor a Lightened-Up Classic Dessert: Bread pudding is undeniably a beloved classic, and following Weight Watchers doesn’t mean you have to miss out on such comforting indulgences. This recipe offers a beautifully lightened-up version that retains all the rich, custardy goodness and warm spice notes you expect from traditional bread pudding, but with significantly fewer points. It allows you to enjoy a guilt-free treat, satisfying your sweet cravings without derailing your progress. It’s the perfect way to embrace a healthy lifestyle while still enjoying the foods you love.
- Effortless Make-Ahead Convenience: Life can be busy, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying homemade desserts. This apple raisin bread pudding is an excellent make-ahead treat, offering fantastic flexibility. You can prepare the bread cubes and the custard mixture separately, storing them until you’re ready to assemble and bake. Alternatively, bake the entire pudding in advance; it will stay fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to five days. This makes it perfect for meal prepping your desserts, bringing to potlucks, or simply having a delicious option readily available for unexpected cravings.
- A Crowd-Pleasing Dessert for All Occasions: Who doesn’t love a warm, comforting slice of bread pudding? This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for impressing friends, family, or colleagues. Its incredibly soft, custardy texture and rich, inviting flavors are so delightful that no one will even guess it’s a lightened-up version. Serve it at holiday gatherings, family dinners, or as a cozy weekend treat. It’s a dish that brings smiles and satisfaction, proving that healthy eating can still be utterly delicious and enjoyable for everyone.
Recipe At a Glance
- Serving Size: 1 slice (130g)
- Number of Servings: 15
- Total Cooking Time: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes (Prep + Bake)
- WW Points Per Recipe: 3 WW points per serving, 40 for the entire recipe (Click here to view the recipe in the WW app. WW login is required)
Key Ingredients for Your Weight Watchers Apple Raisin Bread Pudding
Crafting this delectable bread pudding requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that maximize flavor while adhering to Weight Watchers principles. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and taste, from the wholesome bread to the sweet, spiced fruit and creamy custard.
- 12 slices day-old bread (your preferred low-point bread), cut into 1-inch cubes (I used Nature’s Own white Keto bread for its excellent texture and point value)
- 3 Medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch cubes (firm baking apples work best)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon (essential for that warm, comforting spice)
- ⅓ cup Raisins (for bursts of natural sweetness and chewy texture)
- 4 Eggs (the base for our rich, custardy texture)
- 2 ½ cup Unsweetened plain almond milk (a low-point alternative to traditional milk)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract (enhances all the sweet flavors)
- 1 ¼ cup Unsweetened applesauce (adds moisture and natural sweetness while reducing points)
- 3 tbsp Light butter substitute, I used I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Light (for richness without excess fat)
- ⅓ cup Light brown sugar (sweetness and a hint of caramel notes)
Creative Variations and Smart Substitutions for Your Bread Pudding
- Choosing the Perfect Apples: The type of apple you select significantly impacts the texture of your baked pudding. Opt for “baking apples” or varieties that are firm and hold their shape well under heat. Avoid apples that become mushy quickly. Excellent choices include Granny Smith (for a tart contrast), Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Pink Lady, or Fuji. These varieties will ensure delightful apple chunks throughout your custardy dessert. However, don’t limit yourself – many other firm apple varieties will also work wonderfully!
- Alternative Milk Choices: While unsweetened almond milk is my personal preference due to its very low-point value and subtle flavor, you have flexibility here. Feel free to use fat-free milk, reduced-fat milk, or even another plant-based milk substitute like unsweetened soy or oat milk. Just remember to account for any changes in Weight Watchers points, which can be easily calculated using the WW app.
- Exploring Different Fruits: Apples are fantastic, but don’t hesitate to experiment with other fruits to customize your bread pudding. Berries (fresh or frozen), peaches, or pears can make excellent additions. Be mindful of the water content of your chosen fruit, as this can slightly alter the baking time and the final consistency of the bread pudding. You might need to adjust the amount of liquid in the custard or cook higher-water-content fruits slightly beforehand.
- Bread Type Adaptations: This recipe is a fantastic opportunity to reduce food waste, making it perfect for using up various types of day-old bread. Leftover dinner rolls, hamburger buns, bagels, or even challah can be transformed into a delicious bread pudding. Just be aware that different bread types will absorb liquid differently and may have varying point values. When using alternative bread, always adjust the recipe in the Weight Watchers app to accurately determine the point count per serving. For best results, ensure the bread is slightly stale, as this allows it to soak up the custard more effectively.
Essential Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Bread Pudding
- Ensure Adequate Soaking: The key to a moist, custardy bread pudding is thoroughly soaking the bread. If the bread is under-soaked, your pudding will turn out dry and crumbly. Pay special attention to the corners and edges of your baking pan, as these areas often miss out on the custard. Don’t be afraid if the bread looks extremely wet before baking; it will absorb the liquid perfectly as it cooks, resulting in that desirable custardy texture.
- Choose Your Bread Wisely: While I recommend low-point keto bread for Weight Watchers, you don’t strictly have to use it. The best bread for *your* bread pudding is your favorite type! Not all keto breads have the same taste, and some can have a distinct wheaty flavor that might not appeal to everyone. If you’re trying a new brand or type of low-point bread, I suggest tasting it on its own first to ensure you enjoy its flavor before incorporating it into the recipe.
- Knowing When It’s Done: You’ll know your bread pudding is perfectly baked when it’s golden brown on top and the custard is set. It’s absolutely fine for the center to still be slightly jiggly – this indicates a perfectly moist interior, not undercooked. The pudding will continue to set as it cools, achieving its ideal consistency. There should be no visible excess liquid when gently pressed.
- Storing Leftovers: Bread pudding stores wonderfully! For any leftovers, you can simply keep it in the same baking pan, covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer it to an airtight container. It will remain delicious in the refrigerator for four to five days. I’ve also had great success freezing individual portions. If freezing, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating and enjoying.
- Serving Temperature Versatility: One of the many charms of bread pudding is its versatility in serving temperature. It’s absolutely delicious warm, straight from the oven, allowing the flavors to truly bloom. It’s equally delightful served at room temperature, making it a convenient dessert for potlucks. And surprisingly, some even prefer it chilled! Experiment to find your favorite way to enjoy this comforting treat.
More Lightened-Up Sweet Treats You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this healthy bread pudding, you might also like these other Weight Watchers friendly desserts and breakfast recipes:
Berry Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Easy Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Apple Fritter Bread
Weight Watchers Apple Raisin Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 12 slices day-old bread, your preferred low-point bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (I used Nature’s Own white Keto bread)
- 3 Medium apples, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- ⅓ cup Raisins
- 4 Eggs
- 2 ½ cup Unsweetened plain almond milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cup Unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tbsp Light butter substitute, I used I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Light
- ⅓ cup Light brown sugar
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325°F. After prepping the apples, cook them over medium heat in a large pan with the brown sugar, raisins, butter substitute, and half of the apple sauce. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and leave them covered for another 5 minutes.
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Separately, make the custard mixture by first whisking together the remaining applesauce with the cinnamon. Then add the eggs and whisk until smooth. Lastly, add the milk/vanilla and mix until combined.
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Place the bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Use a slotted spoon to scatter the apple pieces atop the bread pieces. Slowly whisk the remaining applesauce liquid from the pot into the custard mixture. Be careful not to put it all in at once; otherwise, it will scramble the eggs.
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Pour the custard mixture over the bread and apples, making sure every piece is soaked and that the edges are thoroughly saturated. Allowed to sit for about 5 minutes so the bread can soak up the liquid.
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Cover the bread pudding with a piece of parchment paper, followed by a piece of foil. Bake for 30 minutes covered, then remove the covering and bake for another 30-40 minutes or until thoroughly baked. It will be golden brown, and the custard will be set but slightly jiggly (there should be no excess liquid).
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Allow the bread pudding to cool and set before slicing into it.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.