Cranberry Brie Bread Pudding: The Ultimate Holiday Brunch & Dessert Recipe

Prepare to elevate your culinary experience with a dish that redefines comfort food: our Cranberry Brie Bread Pudding. While you might be familiar with traditional bread puddings, this recipe introduces a truly extraordinary twist. Imagine tender, custard-soaked bread infused with bursts of tart cranberries and, most importantly, creamy, luscious layers of melted brie cheese. This unexpected addition transforms a classic into a sophisticated, incredibly rich, and texturally delightful creation that is utterly unforgettable.

The culinary world often celebrates the harmonious pairing of brie and cranberries, finding its way into countless dishes, both savory and sweet. From baked brie appetizers with cranberry relish to elegant holiday tartlets, this combination is a proven winner. We’ve harnessed this perfect synergy to craft an amazing bread pudding that promises to be the star of any meal. Whether you’re planning an elegant brunch spread or searching for a show-stopping dessert that offers both warmth and indulgence, this Cranberry Brie Bread Pudding is a guaranteed hit.

The Enduring Appeal of Bread Pudding and Our Unique Spin

Bread pudding, in its simplest form, is a testament to resourceful cooking, originating as a delicious way to utilize stale bread and prevent waste. Its humble beginnings have blossomed into a global phenomenon, with variations found in nearly every country, each reflecting local ingredients and culinary traditions. Some bread puddings are delightfully sweet, often adorned with fruits, spices, and rich sauces, while others lean towards the savory, incorporating herbs, cheeses, and meats. This inherent versatility is one of its greatest strengths.

Our Cranberry Brie Bread Pudding, while primarily sweet, brilliantly showcases how a touch of innovation can elevate this beloved classic. Traditionally, many bread puddings rely on a cream sauce poured over the top to enhance moisture and richness. However, with the generous inclusion of brie cheese, we found that an additional sauce was simply unnecessary. The brie melts into creamy, flavorful pockets throughout the pudding, providing an unparalleled richness and a moist, luxurious texture that stands on its own. Furthermore, a touch of melted butter drizzled on top before baking creates a beautiful golden crust and an extra burst of irresistible flavor.

Why Brie Cheese is the Secret Ingredient

If you’ve never considered adding brie to your bread pudding, prepare to be amazed. Brie cheese brings a unique depth of flavor and an incredibly creamy texture that transforms this dish from good to extraordinary. As it bakes, the brie softens and melts, infusing the custard with its buttery, earthy, and slightly pungent notes. This creates pockets of rich, molten cheese that beautifully complement the sweet and tart elements of the cranberries and the cinnamon-spiced custard. It provides a luxurious mouthfeel that makes every bite feel utterly decadent, a true upgrade from conventional bread pudding recipes.

The interplay between the tangy cranberries and the smooth, mild flavor of brie is a culinary masterpiece. It’s a balance that appeals to a wide range of palates, making this bread pudding a versatile option for various occasions. It’s rich without being overly heavy, and comforting without being boring. Even my husband, who previously found bread pudding to be “a little boring,” devoured two pieces of this version as soon as it came out of the oven! That’s the true test of a winning recipe right there.

Crafting Your Perfect Cranberry Brie Bread Pudding

Making this incredible bread pudding is surprisingly straightforward, yielding impressive results with minimal fuss. The key lies in selecting the right ingredients and following a few simple steps to ensure a perfectly baked, flavorful dish. For the bread, a stale French baguette is ideal. Stale bread is crucial because it acts like a sponge, readily absorbing the rich custard mixture without becoming soggy during baking. If your baguette isn’t stale, simply tear it into pieces and let it sit on a cookie sheet for 10-15 minutes to dry out slightly before proceeding.

Ingredient Spotlight: Cranberries and Brie

When it comes to cranberries, this recipe calls for dried cranberries, which offer concentrated flavor and a chewy texture that holds up beautifully during baking. They also contribute a vibrant, festive color that makes this dish visually appealing, especially during the holiday season. If you prefer to use fresh cranberries, we recommend cooking them slightly beforehand. This softens them, allows their juices to mingle with other ingredients, and prevents them from being too tart or firm in the final pudding. A quick simmer with a touch of sugar would work wonders.

For the brie, remember to cut off the rind before dicing it into small pats. Chilling these brie pieces in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them helps them maintain their shape slightly before melting into those irresistible creamy pockets. This thoughtful preparation ensures an even distribution of flavor and texture throughout the pudding.

Ideal for Any Occasion: Brunch, Dessert, or Holiday Feast

The festive colors and rich flavors of this Cranberry Brie Bread Pudding make it a perfect choice for a variety of occasions. Our family, for instance, loves to have a lighter yet satisfying breakfast on Christmas morning, ensuring we’re ready for a big holiday lunch later in the day. The beautiful red hue of the cranberries adds a wonderful holiday touch, making this bread pudding an excellent candidate for our Christmas breakfast tradition this year. Imagine waking up to the aroma of cinnamon, cranberries, and warm, buttery bread pudding – it’s truly magical!

Beyond the holidays, this dish shines as a decadent brunch item. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea, offering a delightful alternative to traditional pancakes or French toast. Served warm, perhaps with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream, it’s an inviting centerpiece for any brunch gathering. As a dessert, it’s equally superb. Its comforting warmth and balanced sweetness make it an ideal end to a meal, especially on a chilly evening. No matter how you choose to serve it, this Cranberry Brie Bread Pudding is sure to be a big hit, drawing rave reviews from everyone lucky enough to try it.

Yield: 18 slices

Cranberry Brie Bread Pudding

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
1 hour

Additional Time
10 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 stale French baguette, torn into 2 inch pieces
• 3 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 small wheel of brie
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Tear bread into 2 inch pieces. If your bread isn’t stale then you can leave the pieces sitting on a cookie sheet for 10 or 15 minutes until dry.
3. Cut the rind off of the brie and cut it into small pats. Place the brie pieces in the refrigerator until ready to use.
4. In a large bowl beat together the milk, cream, sugar, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon.
5. Place 1/2 of the bread into a buttered 9×13 dish.
6. Add 3/4 of the brie and 1/2 of the cranberries and cover with the remaining bread.
7. Pour the liquid mixture over the bread and allow to soak for 10 minutes.
8. Top with the remaining cranberries and the melted butter.
9. Bake covered for 45 minutes and then uncovered for 15 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Add the remaining brie on the top as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

18

Serving Size:

1 slice

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 222Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 127mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 5g

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