Description
This Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding is a warm and comforting dessert that combines tart fresh cranberries with fragrant orange zest and a spiced custard soaked into cubed stale bread. Baked until golden and set, it is perfect for festive occasions or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups stale bread, cubed (preferably French or Italian bread)
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Prepare Bread: Cut stale bread into cubes and place in a large mixing bowl, ensuring pieces are roughly the same size for even soaking.
- Make Custard: In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, heavy cream, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Mixture: Pour the custard over the cubed bread and fresh cranberries, gently folding to evenly coat all bread pieces without mashing the berries.
- Soak: Let the mixture rest for 15-20 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the custard fully for a moist and flavorful pudding.
- Preheat Oven and Grease Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with butter to prevent sticking.
- Bake: Transfer the soaked bread pudding mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake for 45-55 minutes until the pudding is golden brown on top and set in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread pudding to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Optionally serve with vanilla sauce, ice cream, or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Using stale bread is important as it absorbs the custard better than fresh bread.
- Adjust baking time slightly if using a different size or material of baking dish.
- Fresh cranberries can be substituted with dried cranberries, but soak them in warm water first for better texture.
- For a nuttier flavor, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the mix before baking.
- This bread pudding can be made a day ahead and reheated gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
