Warm, comforting, and bursting with seasonal flavors, this Winter Bread Pudding is the perfect dessert to enjoy during the colder months. The combination of tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy white chocolate chips creates a delightful contrast of textures and tastes. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes  

Cooking Time:45 minutes  

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 6 cups stale bread, cut into cubes (such as French or Challah bread)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• Butter, for greasing the baking dish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare the Bread: Arrange the cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast it in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until it’s slightly golden. This step helps the bread absorb the custard mixture better.

3. Grease the Baking Dish: Use butter to generously grease a 9x9x13-in baking dish.

4. Layer the Bread and Add Mix-Ins:

 Place half of the toasted bread cubes at the bottom of the baking dish.

 Sprinkle half of the cranberries, pecans, and white chocolate chips over the bread.

 Add the remaining bread cubes on top, followed by the remaining cranberries, pecans, and white chocolate chips.

5. Prepare the Custard Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.

6. Pour the Custard Mixture: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and mix-ins. Press down gently to make sure all the bread is soaked in the custard.

7. Let it Rest:

Allow the mixture to rest for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the bread to absorb the custard.

8. Bake:

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.

9. Cool and Serve:

Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly before serving. It can be served warm or at room temperature.

10. Optional Toppings:

Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch.

1. 1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. 2. Prepare the Bread: Arrange the cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast it in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until it’s slightly golden. This step helps the bread absorb the custard mixture better.
3.  Grease the Baking Dish: Use butter to generously grease a 9x9x13-in baking dish.
4. Layer the Bread and Add Mix-Ins:
5.  Place half of the toasted bread cubes at the bottom of the baking dish.
6.  Sprinkle half of the cranberries, pecans, and white chocolate chips over the bread.
7.  Add the remaining bread cubes on top, followed by the remaining cranberries, pecans, and white chocolate chips.
8. Prepare the Custard Mixture:
9. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
10. Pour the Custard Mixture: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and mix-ins. Press down gently to make sure all the bread is soaked in the custard.
11. Let it Rest:
12. Allow the mixture to rest for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the bread to absorb the custard.
13. 8. Bake:
14. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
15.  Cool and Serve: Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly before serving. It can be served warm or at room temperature.
16. Optional Toppings: Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent touch.

Notes

Stale Bread: If you don’t have stale bread on hand, you can cut fresh bread into cubes and let it sit out for a few hours to dry.

Variations:

Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite seasonal fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips.

Make-Ahead:

You can prepare the bread pudding up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. When ready to serve, bake as directed.

Enjoy your delightful Winter Bread Pudding with Cranberries, Pecans, and White Chocolate Chips! It’s a cozy dessert that’s sure to warm your heart during the winter months.

Nutrition Facts

• Servings: 16
• Amount per serving  
• Calories 246
• % Daily Value*
• Total Fat 18.9g 24%
• Saturated Fat 3.5g 18%
• Cholesterol 51mg 17%
• Sodium 35mg 2%
• Total Carbohydrate 16.5g 6%
• Dietary Fiber 2.4g 9%
• Total Sugars 14.2g  
• Protein 5.1g  
• Vitamin D 17mcg 83%
• Calcium 70mg 5%
• Iron 1mg 5%
• Potassium 172mg 4%

The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.