Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding

At Christmastime, I think we can get a bit stuck on popular flavors like peppermint chocolate or gingerbread or sugar cookie, which of course makes sense because they're so very good. Once in a while though, it's nice to try something a bit more inventive.

And so I present Cranberry Orange Bread Pudding, inspired in part by old-fashioned orange pomanders. This is a wonderfully simple recipe that can be cooked in the microwave! If you're looking for a cozy little dessert for some chilly winter evening, look no further. :)

Photo credit: Wendy Piersall/Wikimedia Commons

As an aside, orange pomanders are a fun vintage craft project for the holidays. Go read the how-to at Old Farmer's Almanac!

Bread Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 slices of bread (preferably white)

• 1/2 C. brown sugar

• 1/8 tsp. salt

• 1/2 C. dried cranberries

• 2 C. milk

• 1/2 stick butter

• 2 large eggs

• scant 1/4 tsp. cloves

• scant 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

• 1 tsp. orange zest

• A generous squeeze of orange juice

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Optional: White Chocolate Ganache with a splash of brandy mixed in.

Directions

1. Combine all liquid ingredients, except the eggs, and cook in microwave about 5 minutes, until bubbling at edges.

2. Beat eggs well and add to the liquid mixture

3. Rip up the bread into roughly 1" crumbs and stir into the liquids, so that the crumbs are evenly coated.

4. Heat in microwave another 5 or so minutes, stirring occasionally until the eggs are cooked. Serve warm.

Or... kick it up a notch!

• Prepare White Chocolate Ganache as directed. As always, take care when heating the chocolate chips.

• Serve bread pudding in a small pool of ganache. Garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and extra cranberries, if you wish. :) Orange zest or candied orange peel would make a nice accent as well.

'Til next time,

Eva