Go Back
Delicious cranberry orange bread pudding served in a warm dish
Print Recipe

Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding

A delightful twist on a classic dessert that combines zesty orange and tart cranberries for a comforting flavor profile, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Bread Pudding, Cranberry, Dessert, holiday, orange
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 320kcal

Ingredients

Custard Mixture

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest

Bread and Fruits

  • 1 1/4 cups fresh cranberries Fresh cranberries are ideal for their tart flavor.
  • 1 loaf thick bread, cubed (day-old or crusty bread preferred) Brioche works best.

Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar Adjust consistency with additional powdered sugar if needed.
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 13x9-inch (33x23 cm) baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  • Layer half of the cubed bread evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the fresh cranberries over the bread layer.
  • Top with the remaining bread cubes, ensuring an even distribution.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, sugar, and orange zest until well combined.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the bread, ensuring all pieces are thoroughly soaked.
  • Allow the mixture to sit for 25 minutes so the bread can absorb the liquid.

Baking

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center jiggles slightly when moved.
  • Let the bread pudding cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Glazing

  • While it cools, mix together melted butter, 1 cup of powdered sugar, vanilla extract, orange juice, and optional orange zest in a bowl.
  • Drizzle the glaze over each slice before serving.

Notes

Use medium to day-old bread for the best absorption of the custard mix. Consider soaking the cranberries in orange juice for added flavor. This dish can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.