Love this recipe? Save it to Pinterest before you forget!
Why You'll Love This cranberry orange holiday bread pudding for cozy winter mornings
- Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare, with just a few ingredients and minimal preparation time.
- Perfect for Crowds: This bread pudding is perfect for serving to a crowd, whether it's a holiday gathering or a special occasion.
- Cranberry Orange Flavor: The combination of cranberries and orange zest gives this bread pudding a unique and delicious flavor that's perfect for the holiday season.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules.
- Customizable: You can customize this recipe to suit your tastes by adding different nuts, spices, or dried fruits to the mixture.
- Perfect for Gift-Giving: This bread pudding is a great gift idea for friends and family, especially when packaged in a decorative tin or container.
- Delicious Leftovers: This bread pudding is just as delicious the next day, making it perfect for enjoying as leftovers or using as a base for other recipes.
- Holiday Tradition: This recipe is a great way to start a new holiday tradition, whether it's serving it at a special gathering or enjoying it as a quiet morning treat.
Ingredient Breakdown
The key ingredients in this recipe are the bread, cranberries, orange zest, and heavy cream. The bread provides the base for the pudding, and it's best to use a day-old bread that's been cubed and dried out slightly. The cranberries add a sweet and tangy flavor, while the orange zest provides a burst of citrus flavor. The heavy cream helps to bind the mixture together and adds a rich and creamy texture. Other important ingredients include eggs, sugar, and spices, which all work together to create a delicious and comforting flavor profile.
How to Make cranberry orange holiday bread pudding for cozy winter mornings
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and place on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly toasted and dried out slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, sugar, and orange zest until well combined.
Add the cranberries and toasted bread to the wet ingredients and stir until the bread is evenly coated.
Pour the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth out the top.
Bake the bread pudding in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and set.
Remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfect Results
Using day-old bread will help the bread pudding to hold its shape and prevent it from becoming too soggy.
Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until they're combined, and avoid overmixing the bread pudding mixture.
Feel free to customize the bread pudding by adding in your favorite nuts, spices, or dried fruits.
Letting the bread pudding rest for 10-15 minutes before serving will help it to set and make it easier to slice.
Toasting the bread before adding it to the mixture will help to bring out its natural sweetness and add texture to the bread pudding.
Using fresh cranberries will give the bread pudding a more vibrant flavor and texture than using dried cranberries.
Keep an eye on the bread pudding while it's baking, and remove it from the oven when it's lightly golden brown and set.
Letting the bread pudding cool completely will help it to set and make it easier to slice and serve.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Overmixing the Batter:
Fix: Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until they're combined, and avoid overmixing the bread pudding mixture.
-
Not Letting it Rest:
Fix: Let the bread pudding rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to help it set and make it easier to slice.
-
Overbaking:
Fix: Keep an eye on the bread pudding while it's baking, and remove it from the oven when it's lightly golden brown and set.
-
Not Using Fresh Cranberries:
Fix: Use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries to give the bread pudding a more vibrant flavor and texture.
Variations & Substitutions
Try adding in your favorite nuts, spices, or dried fruits to customize the bread pudding to your tastes.
Experiment with different types of bread, such as brioche or challah, to change up the flavor and texture of the bread pudding.
Try using other types of berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, to change up the flavor of the bread pudding.
Try using gluten-free bread and adjusting the recipe as needed to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Try adding a crunchy topping, such as chopped nuts or streusel, to add texture and flavor to the bread pudding.
Try using vegan-friendly ingredients, such as non-dairy milk and vegan eggs, to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Storage & Make-Ahead
The bread pudding can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
The bread pudding can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
The bread pudding can be frozen for up to 2 months, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. The flavors actually improve as they meld together overnight.
Can I use different types of bread?
Yes! You can experiment with different types of bread, such as brioche or challah, to change up the flavor and texture of the bread pudding.
Can I substitute the cranberries with other berries?
Yes! You can try using other types of berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, to change up the flavor of the bread pudding.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! You can try using gluten-free bread and adjusting the recipe as needed to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! You can try using vegan-friendly ingredients, such as non-dairy milk and vegan eggs, to accommodate dietary restrictions.
How do I store the bread pudding?
The bread pudding can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Can I freeze the bread pudding?
Yes! The bread pudding can be frozen for up to 2 months, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
How do I reheat the bread pudding?
You can reheat the bread pudding in the microwave or oven. Simply wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and heat it for 20-30 seconds in the microwave or 5-10 minutes in the oven at 350°F (180°C).
cranberry orange holiday bread pudding for cozy winter mornings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by greasing it with butter and coating it with granulated sugar.
- Prepare the bread mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract, and stir until well combined.
- Add the cream and mix. Pour in the heavy cream and mix until the bread is well coated.
- Add the cranberries and pecans. Fold in the dried cranberries and chopped pecans.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Pour the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
- Bake until golden brown. Bake the bread pudding for 30-35 minutes, or until it is golden brown and set.
- Prepare the orange glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, and granulated sugar.
- Glaze the bread pudding. Remove the bread pudding from the oven and brush the orange glaze over the top.
- Let it cool and serve. Let the bread pudding cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Storage tip: Store leftover bread pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the bread mixture and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Bake the bread pudding in the morning for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
- Substitution: Swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk if you prefer a lighter bread pudding.
- Pro tip: Use high-quality ingredients, such as fresh cranberries and real vanilla extract, for the best flavor and texture.
- Variation: Add some chopped citrus fruits, such as oranges or lemons, to the bread mixture for extra flavor and moisture.
- Tips for a crowd: Double or triple the recipe to feed a large crowd. Bake the bread pudding in a larger baking dish and adjust the cooking time as needed.
