CRANBERRY BREAD PUDDING

Cranberry Bread Pudding image

This down-home dessert takes on a touch of elegance when I serve it warm and drizzled with a thin orange custard sauce. It's so pretty that I often make it for dinner guests using either fresh or frozen cranberries. -Margery Richmond, Fort Collins, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h40m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

16 slices bread, crusts removed, cubed
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1/4 cup butter, melted
6 large eggs
4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
ORANGE CUSTARD SAUCE:
3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 orange zest strip (1/4 inch)
1/2 teaspoon orange extract

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer half of the bread cubes, cranberries and orange zest. Repeat layers. Drizzle with butter. , In a large bowl, beat the eggs, milk, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla until blended; pour over bread mixture. Let stand for 15-30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. , Bake, uncovered, for 65-75 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean., For sauce, in a small heavy saucepan, whisk egg yolks and sugar. Stir in cream and orange zest strip. Cook over low heat about 15-20 minutes or until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a thermometer reads at least 160°, stirring constantly but gently. Do not allow to boil. Immediately transfer to a bowl., Place bowl in an ice-water bath for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in extract. Discard orange zest. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve with bread pudding.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370 calories, Fat 19g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 208mg cholesterol, Sodium 299mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 10g protein.