APPLE CRANBERRY BREAD PUDDING

Apple Cranberry Bread Pudding image

Provided by Aaron McCargo Jr.

Categories dessert

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Butter
4 1/2 cups cubed challa bread
3 cups peeled and diced Fuji apples
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 cups half-and-half*
6 eggs
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Whipped cream, recipe follows
1 pint heavy cream
1 tablespoon orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 11 by 13-inch baking dish with room temperature butter.
Place cubed brioche in the baking dish. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar and cranberries. Pour over bread.
In a large bowl, whisk together half-and-half, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Pour custard over bread. Allow to saturate for a few minutes.
Bake for 40 minutes until pudding sets. Serve with whipped cream.
Place a medium bowl in the freezer for 1 hour before whipping cream.
Add heavy cream to chilled bowl and whip with a hand mixer. Add liqueur and powdered sugar and combine well.