Cranberry Christmas Bread Pudding

What is bread pudding?

Bread Pudding bread-based dessert made with stale bread and milk or cream, generally containing eggs, and some form of fat, such as butter.

It has been known as "poor man's pudding" going all the way back to the 11th century. This was because pudding was being made with only boiling water, sugar, and spice due to the scarcity of food at the time. Yet, although it started out as a frugal dessert, bread pudding recipes are now considered trendy; even showing up on the menu of upscale restaurants.

🥘Ingredient Notes

For this simple bread pudding recipe with condensed milk, you'll need:

• Dry bread. You can use any kind of dried bread you have on hand (or dry it quickly in the oven - see top tip). I used a mixture of whole wheat and white bread.
• Condensed milk and milk - I use a combination of condensed milk and milk. I use 1% milk because that's what I usually have on hand. I use condensed milk because it adds a sweetness and richness to this recipe.
• Toffee bits. Toffee bits elevate the flavor of this dessert and add texture. * I use Skor toffee bits
• Dried cranberries. Dried cranberries are convenient and give this Christmas Bread Pudding an extra festive flair!
• Grated orange peel.The tartness of the grated orange peel pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of this bread pudding, as well as the toffee and cranberry flavors.
• Caramel sundae sauce. Caramel sundae sauce is convenient and easy so it saves making your own sauce!

See recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities.

📖Variations & Substitutions

• Gluten-free- use a gluten-free bread
• Dairy-free - use a dairy-free condensed milk
• Cranberries - you can use golden raisins instead of dried cranberries or fresh cranberries
• Orange peel - you can zest it instead of grating it but I personally like the bigger pieces you get grating it.
• Caramel sauce - you can heat it if you prefer and add warm sauce to the bread pudding or use a homemade caramel sauce or a bourbon sauce instead
• Bread - white bread or French bread is ideal for this recipe, but you could use a different type of bread. Cinnamon raisin bread gives it a nice flavor!
• Add-ins - add ¼ cup Grand Marnier, but remove 2 tbsps of condensed milk from the recipe
• Whipped cream - you can use a lighter whipped topping or a light spray whipped cream in the can (like Gaylea brand).

🔪How to Make Christmas Bread Pudding

This Cranberry Christmas bread pudding with caramel sauce is not only the best bread pudding, it's super easy to make!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C and spray a 9X13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Cut dried bread into cubes about 1 inch in size and add cubed bread to a large mixing bowl.
2. In a separate smaller mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, condensed milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Then pour egg mixture over the bread and stir until the bread is coated. Let bread soak 5 minutes.
3. Stir in toffee bits and dried cranberries.
4. Spread bread mixture in prepared baking dish.

⏲️ Baking time

Bake this Holiday bread pudding with condensed milk for 45 minutes (uncovered), or until the edges of the bread are golden brown. Drizzle with caramel sundae sauce and grated orange peel and serve with whipped cream and additional cinnamon, if desired.

👪 Serving Size

This Orange Cranberry Bread Pudding serves 8 (1 cup servings). But you can half, double, or triple the recipe by simply clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.

🌡️Storage

If you are just storing it overnight, simply cover it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Leftover bread pudding can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container (affiliate link) for 3-4 days. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: place in microwave-safe bowl and reheat on full power for 1 minute and 30 seconds approximately.

🥫What to do with Leftover Condensed Milk

You'll have a little leftover condensed milk so if you're up to it, you can make my Healthy Butter Chicken (it's soo good!) or my Healthy Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana.

But you can also freeze condensed milk! It should be frozen in an airtight container.

NOTE: it will not actually freeze solid because of the sugar content. You can thaw frozen condensed milk overnight in the refrigerator. And it can be frozen for up to three months without any noticeable flavor or texture changes, as long as the container is tightly sealed. Whisk the milk if there is any separation, and note that thawed condensed milk should not be re-frozen.  You can read more about freezing condensed milk HERE.