Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding
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Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding~ Easy Homemade Bread Pudding Recipe Topped with an Orange Glaze, and is the Perfect Holiday Dessert! It Comes Together Quickly and is a Crowd Pleaser!
Cranberries used to be the one thing at the Thanksgiving dinner table I avoided like the plague. As a kid, the gelatinous-looking, tart purple thing (that doesn’t taste like jello at all) was not nearly as appealing as, well, everything else. It was most definitely the one thing that “missed” the plate. Instead I loaded up on turkey, stuffing and gravy! No one had introduced me to Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding yet!
Fast forward a few years (with a homemade cranberry orange sauce recipe in tow), cranberries never miss the plate, and if I had my way, they’d never ever miss the dessert table either.
Whether it’s this Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding, Cranberry Orange Cake, or Cranberry Almond Bundt Cake (or maybe even this Cranberry Apple Crisp), you can bet I’ll be getting dessert seconds (and maybe thirds if no one’s looking).
Cranberry and orange is a classic flavor pairing, because the sweetness (and the citrus) of the orange cuts through the tartness of the cranberries. By nature, fresh cranberries are extremely tart, and often need something sweet to tone them down.
In the bread pudding recipe, the tartness of the cranberries are offset by three things: sugar, orange zest, and an orange glaze. The cranberries still have a bit of a zing to them, but it is entirely complemented by the sweetness of the rest of the dessert. Aka Cranberry Bread Pudding is AMAZING!
Have you ever made bread pudding? Bread pudding is very similar to a French toast casserole, although most French toast casseroles are soaked in the egg/milk mixture overnight and baked with a crumb topping.
Bread pudding, on the other hand, is, more often than not, only soaked somewhere between 15-30 minutes before being baked in the oven. I’m not 100% sure and certain on this point, but in my understanding, bread pudding is supposed to be a bit ‘softer’ in the middle than a French toast casserole, which is a bit dryer in the center (which I think has to do with how long each are soaked in the egg/milk mixture.)
Ingredients Needed for Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding
- Milk
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Allspice
- Granulated sugar
- Orange zest
- Fresh cranberries
- Loaf thick bread
- Butter, melted
- Powdered sugar
- Freshly squeezed orange juice
Regardless (let’s just get to the point, right?? 😉 ), bread pudding is so easy to make!
A layer of thick, crusty bread is put in the bottom of a casserole dish, next a layer of cranberries, and lastly, another layer of bread.
A mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, orange zest, spices, and vanilla extract gets poured on top.
The bread pudding sits for 25 minutes, then is baked for 45-50 minutes, drizzled with an orange glaze, and viola! You’re ready to serve.
Cranberries will be the star of the show with this dessert! Happy holiday eating!
You might like my easy rice pudding recipe, too!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 6 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp orange zest
- 1 1/4 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 loaf thick bread cubed (day old/crusty bread is best; I used brioche)
- 3 Tbsp butter melted
- 1-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest optional--it makes the glaze extra orange-flavored!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13x9 baking dish.
- Spread half of the bread in an even layer on the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle cranberries over the top. Place the remaining bread on top.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, sugar, and orange zest until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread, making sure all of the bread is covered.
- Allow the bread pudding to sit for 25 minutes.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center jiggles only slightly when moved.
- Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving. (The bread pudding might deflate a bit while cooling; this is normal.)
- While the cranberry orange bread pudding is cooling off, mix together melted butter, powdered sugar (starting with 1 cup), vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest. If the glaze seems too thin, add in the last 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
- Drizzle over each slice of bread pudding.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
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Sandra Peterson says
Absolutely delicious! Thank you for this recipe. My husband does not usually like cloves but he is raving about this! I cut down the sugar a little.
Brooke Kill says
I’m happy to hear you were able to adjust it to your liking!
Marty says
I didn’t have oranges, but had orange peel & OJ, and only dried cranberries. Mixed all up & added MD & sm can of mandarin oranges and a 10oz bag of dried cranberries. I’ve mixed all ingredients & plan to bake in a muffin tin. What adj to you feel would be prudent for bake time?
Sarah Hill says
Marty, unfortunately I only test the recipe when it’s prepared per the directions using the ingredients I have listed so I’m unable to help you with this question!
Charlyene says
Can I soak this over night, then bake it in the morning? I have a friend that just had an operation. She loves cranberries and this would be the thing to bring her tomorrow morning with fresh whipped cream. Yummy. I have all the ingredients
Julie Evink says
Yes, I think that would work fine.
Kara Mathys @Wellnessgrit says
Mmm this Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding looks awesome and so nourishing!
Julie Evink says
Such a delicious recipe full of flavor!
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says
I’d love to make this cranberry orange bread pudding for my family New Year morning. Do you think it would be possible to make this the 30y, let it cool and then seal up and then reheat New Year? Thx for sharing Michelle!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
This looks and sounds so wonderful for the holidays! I was skeptical of cranberries as a kid, too, but my goodness, do I just adore them now. This bread pudding will NOT last long in our house–and most of it will be enjoyed by me! 😉
Julie Evink says
Ha me too! Totally grown up status now 😉
Natalie says
Oh YUM! This bread pudding looks insanely delicious! I love cranberry and orange together ♥
Julie Evink says
Can’t go wrong with that combo!
Karly says
This. Looks. AWESOME. Seriously, I cannot get over how perfect this is– so festive and delicious!
Julie Evink says
Can’t go wrong with this flavor combo!
cakespy says
What a great idea! I love adding cranberry to sweet dishes like this because it brings such a welcome contrast (both flavor-wise and visually). Love this orange-cranberry combo!
Julie Evink says
Such a delicious flavor combo!
Valentina @Valentina's Corner says
Oh my.. This bread pudding looks amazing. That glaze just gives it the perfect craving. Pinned.
Julie Evink says
The glaze is the perfect ending!
Melissa Howell says
I LOVE cranberry and orange together! This would be the perfect breakfast!
Julie Evink says
Perfect flavor combo!
Danielle Green says
Not only does this look delicious for breakfast or anytime, it just looks simply elegant as well!
Ginger says
I can’t wait to try this. It looks so good. I was wondering though, all i have right now are bags of frozen cranberries. Would that work with this recipe? Thank you for this recipe
Bobbie Hinds says
Do you happen to have a recipe for a lemon sauce for bread pudding my mom made when I was a kid.loved it.
Malinda says
Oooooh, I love this!! I don’t cook with cranberries very often and I think I need to change that now!!