Description
A festive twist on classic bread pudding — made with sweet bread cubes soaked in an orange-scented custard, bursting with cranberries, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunch, or dessert.
Ingredients
Bread Pudding:
- 6 cups cubed brioche, challah, or French bread (slightly stale)
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups milk or half-and-half
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ cups fresh or dried cranberries
- Pinch of salt
Optional Topping:
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- Handful of sliced almonds or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 or similar baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Bread and Cranberries: Place the cubed bread and cranberries evenly into the prepared baking dish, distributing the cranberries throughout for consistent flavor.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk (or half-and-half), orange juice, sugar, orange zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined and smooth.
- Soak Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing lightly to help the bread absorb the custard fully. Let the mixture rest for 10–15 minutes to ensure thorough soaking.
- Add Optional Topping: If desired, brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and sliced almonds or pecans for added flavor and texture.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, until the pudding is golden brown on top and set in the center. A knife inserted should come out clean.
- Serve: Serve the bread pudding warm with accompaniments such as whipped cream, ice cream, or an orange glaze for a festive finish.
Notes
- Use leftover dinner rolls, panettone, or raisin bread for extra flavor and texture variations.
- For a richer custard, substitute half of the milk with heavy cream.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated, making it ideal for holiday mornings or brunch gatherings.
- Consider serving with an orange-maple drizzle or vanilla sauce to enhance the dessert’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
