Imagine a dessert that wraps you in warmth, combines the rustic charm of bread pudding with the sweet-tart explosion of apples and cranberries, and delivers a nutty crunch that will make your taste buds dance! This Nutty Apple Cranberry Bread Pudding isn't just a recipe—it's a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a decadent masterpiece that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds. Whether you're looking to impress guests or treat yourself to a soul-satisfying dessert, this recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to comfort food.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed bread
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped apples
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that your Nutty Apple Cranberry Bread Pudding bakes evenly and thoroughly.
- Gather all your ingredients: 4 cups of cubed bread, 2 cups of milk, 1/2 cup of sugar, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 cup of chopped apples, 1/2 cup of dried cranberries, and 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well blended and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the cubed bread to the mixture and gently fold it in, ensuring that the bread is fully soaked with the liquid. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes so the bread can absorb the mixture.
- While the bread is soaking, prepare your add-ins. Chop the apples into small pieces, and if you haven't done so already, chop the nuts. Measure out the dried cranberries.
- After the bread has soaked, fold in the chopped apples, dried cranberries, and chopped nuts. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly throughout the bread mixture.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Pour the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This will help it set and make it easier to cut into portions.
- Serve warm, optionally drizzled with a little maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness. Enjoy your delicious Nutty Apple Cranberry Bread Pudding!
Tips
- Choose the right bread: Day-old or slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard mixture more effectively. Brioche, challah, or French bread are excellent choices.
- Don't rush the soaking process: Let the bread sit in the milk mixture for at least 5 minutes to ensure it's fully saturated and will create a creamy texture.
- Use room temperature eggs and milk for smoother mixing and more even baking.
- For extra richness, consider adding a splash of bourbon or rum to the custard mixture.
- To prevent burning, cover the pudding with foil if it's browning too quickly during the last 15 minutes of baking.
- Let the pudding rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- For a gourmet touch, toast the nuts before adding them to enhance their flavor and provide extra crunch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 90mg
