This slow cooker raspberry white chocolate bread pudding is one of those cozy, toss-it-together desserts that makes the whole house smell amazing. You tear up some day-old French bread, pile it into the slow cooker, then drizzle one simple custard mixture—made with eggs, half and half, sugar, vanilla, and melted white chocolate chips—right over the top. As it cooks low and slow, the bread soaks up all that creamy sweetness, and pockets of tart raspberries keep each bite just a little different. It’s perfect for busy family nights, holiday brunches, or those chilly evenings when you want something warm and comforting without babysitting the oven.
Serve this bread pudding warm right out of the slow cooker, scooped into bowls. It’s lovely on its own, but a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it feel extra special. For a simple brunch spread, pair it with scrambled eggs and sausage or bacon to balance the sweetness. A hot mug of coffee, tea, or cocoa goes perfectly with the creamy white chocolate and bright raspberries. If you’re serving a crowd, set out a little topping bar with extra fresh berries, chocolate chips, and a dusting of powdered sugar so everyone can dress up their own bowl.
Ingredients
8 cups cubed or torn French bread (about 1 large loaf, slightly stale if possible)
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries (no need to thaw if frozen)
1 3/4 cups half and half
1 cup white chocolate chips, divided
4 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for greasing the slow cooker)
Optional: 1-2 tablespoons coarse sugar or granulated sugar for sprinkling on top
Directions
Grease the slow cooker: Rub the inside of your slow cooker crock with the tablespoon of butter, making sure to coat the bottom and sides so the bread pudding doesn’t stick.
Prep the bread: Tear or cut the French bread into bite-size cubes, about 1-inch pieces. You want roughly 8 cups. Slightly stale bread works best because it soaks up the custard without turning mushy.
Layer the bread and raspberries: Add the torn bread cubes to the greased slow cooker in an even layer. Sprinkle the raspberries over the bread, tucking some down between the cubes so you get berries in every scoop.
Make the 1 mixture: In a medium saucepan, add the half and half and 3/4 cup of the white chocolate chips (reserve the remaining 1/4 cup for later). Warm over low to medium-low heat, stirring often, just until the white chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 5–10 minutes so it’s warm but not hot.
Whisk the custard base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Slowly pour the warm half and half–white chocolate mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This creates your single rich custard mixture that you’ll drizzle over the bread.
Drizzle the 1 mixture over the bread: Slowly pour the custard mixture evenly over the torn bread cubes and raspberries in the slow cooker. Make sure to cover as much of the bread as you can so every piece gets a chance to soak. Gently press down on the top with the back of a spoon to help the bread absorb the mixture.
Rest and top: Let the mixture sit in the slow cooker for 10–15 minutes so the bread can soak up more of the custard. After it rests, sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup white chocolate chips over the top. If you like a lightly sweet crust, sprinkle 1–2 tablespoons of coarse or regular sugar over the surface as well.
Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, or until the custard is set in the center and a knife inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean. The edges will be a bit more set and the center should be soft but not runny.
Serve warm: Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the bread pudding sit for about 10 minutes to set slightly. Scoop into bowls and serve warm, with whipped cream, ice cream, or extra berries if you like.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters who aren’t fans of raspberries, you can swap them for blueberries, sliced strawberries, or even skip the fruit and stir in mini white or milk chocolate chips instead. If you’d like a slightly lighter version, replace half of the half and half with regular milk, understanding it will be a bit less rich but still very comforting. For a fun flavor twist, add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla, or stir in 1/2 cup of chopped toasted almonds or pecans for crunch. If you only have sandwich bread or brioche, you can use that in place of French bread—just aim for the same 8 cups of torn pieces and maybe cut back a little on the soaking time. To make this feel more like breakfast, reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup and serve with yogurt and fresh fruit. If your family likes things extra gooey, shorten the cooking time slightly so the center stays softer; if they prefer a firmer texture, cook closer to the longer end of the time range. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave with a splash of milk or half and half to bring back the creaminess.