Description
Spiced Cranberry Pear Bread Pudding is a comforting and delicious dessert that combines the sweetness of ripe pears and tart dried cranberries with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This bread pudding uses a mix of brioche and challah bread for a rich texture, soaked in a creamy custard and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a cozy gathering or holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Base
- 6 cups stale bread, cubed (a mix of brioche and challah works best)
Fruit
- 2 medium fresh pears, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Custard
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2% for creaminess)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Finishing
- 4 tablespoons butter (for greasing the baking dish and dotting on top)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Cut the stale bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large mixing bowl to serve as the base of the pudding.
- Make the Custard: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, then add the milk, sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the custard mixture over the cubed bread. Add the diced pears and dried cranberries, then gently fold everything together to ensure the bread absorbs the custard and the fruit is evenly distributed. Let the mixture rest for 10-15 minutes to soak.
- Prepare for Baking: Grease a baking dish with butter, transfer the soaked bread mixture into it, and dot the top with the remaining butter for richness and flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in a preheated oven set at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the pudding is golden brown on top and set in the middle.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread pudding to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Optionally, enhance with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Using stale bread helps absorb the custard better without becoming too mushy.
- Brioche and challah add a rich, buttery flavor and tender texture.
- Letting the mixture sit before baking allows the bread to soak up the custard fully.
- Check doneness by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out clean.
- Serve warm for the best flavor experience, especially with caramel sauce or ice cream.
