Slow Cooker Eggnog Bread Pudding

📝Shopping list

To make this easy slow cooker recipe, you will need these basic grocery store items:

• large loaf cinnamon bread - should be about 8 cups of 1" cubes when cut
• eggs
• eggnog I use almond milk "nog" which is diary free and egg free
• brown sugar
• vanilla extract
• ground cinnamon
• ground nutmeg

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: Some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual for your slow cooker if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Get Cooking

• ⛄️ In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs together with the sugar and spices
• ⛄️Cut bread into bite-sized pieces.
• ⛄️Add all bread pieces to a greased slow cooker 
• ⛄️Pour the eggnog mixture over the pieces of bread.
• ⛄️Use a whisk or spoon to push bread cubes down into egg mixture making sure that easy one has the opportunity to become saturated.  
• ⛄️Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1.5 - 3 hours. 
• ⛄️Your easy eggnog bread pudding is ready to serve when the center springs right back after being gently pressed.  If liquid surfaces when the center is pressed, more cooking time is needed. 

🍽Serving suggestions

There are endless ways to serve this delicious brunch dish. Here are some favorites to put on top of the bread pudding:

• Topped with maple syrup
• Drizzled with caramel sauce
• Dusted with powdered sugar
• Adorned with fresh berries
• Accompanied by vanilla ice cream
• Topped with crushed candy cane
• Enhanced with a sprinkling of chocolate chips.
• Drizzled with rum sauce
• Sprinkle with candied pecans
• Embellished with boozy bananas. 

🔁Substitutions

• Swap cinnamon raisin bread, French bread, old brioche bread, or raisin challah bread for the cinnamon bread
• Tear bread rather than cut it for a less uniform look
• Traditional dairy eggnog works perfectly in this recipe, too
• Vanilla paste can be traded for vanilla extract

😉Hints & hacks

1. Stale bread or old bread is often suggested for the best bread pudding recipe.  I have used both with this recipe and had great results with either. 
2. Not a fan of Eggnog?  Try pumpkin bread pudding,  traditional overnight French toast casserole, or strawberry cheesecake French toast, or gingerbread French toast.  
3. Looking for a dish you can prep in advance and pop in the slow cooker on Christmas morning?  This dish can be fully assembled in a zip top bag and stored in the fridge overnight.  First thing in the morning, just toss it in your slow cooker. 
4. If you choose to cook this dish on high, keep an eye on it after about an hour or so to make sure it isn't burning around the edges. I have not had this issue, but some slow cookers run hotter than others.
5. Although I am a big fan of slow cooker liners, I often forgo them when making this dish for aesthetic reasons. When serving to guests right out of slow cooker vessel, it is much nicer looking without a liner. Regardless of which method you use, you should spray either your slow cooker pot or liner with a non-stick spray. 
6. Not a fan of slow cooker liners?  Parchment paper works just as well with this particular recipe.
7. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!