# A Festive Feast: Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding Recipe
### Introduction
As the holidays approach, a great way to embrace the spirit of the season is through delightful culinary creations your loved ones can enjoy. The Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding is a delectable dessert that brings together the festive tartness of cranberries and the aromatic nutty flavor of almonds. Warm, sweet, and perfect for sharing, this bread pudding recipe will swiftly become a holiday favorite.
### Why Make This Recipe
Not only is this recipe quick and easy to prepare, but it also blends traditional holiday flavors with a unique twist. Bread pudding is a holiday classic and the added cranberries and almonds make it a festive dessert that is perfect for this time of year. Additionally, the ingredients are wholesome, making for a healthy yet indulgent treat.
### How to Make Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding
Having the right ingredients ready is the first step in making this Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding. Next, follow the step-by-step directions carefully to ensure the best results.
### Ingredients:
– 8 cups of day-old bread, cubed
– 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
– 1/2 cup sliced almonds
– 4 large eggs
– 2 cups milk
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 3/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/2 tsp almond extract
– 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
### Directions:
Follow the given sequence of directions to create the perfect Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding.
1. **Preheat and Prepare**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. **Combine Bread and Fruit/Nuts**: In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, cranberries, and sliced almonds.
3. **Make Custard**: In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cinnamon until well blended.
4. **Assemble**: Pour the custard mixture over the bread mixture, and ensure all bread pieces are soaked. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the custard.
5. **Add Butter**: Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the pudding.
6. **Bake**: Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the top is golden and the pudding is set.
7. **Serve**: Allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy it warm!
### How to Serve Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding
This bread pudding is best served warm. The creamy and soft texture of the pudding complements well with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To make it more visually compelling, garnish with extra cranberries and sliced almonds.
### How to Store Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding
To store, let the pudding completely cool and then cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. To reheat, place it in a warm oven at 300°F until heated through.
### Tips to Make Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding
1. **Bread**: Day-old bread works best in this recipe as it absorbs the custard better than fresh bread.
2. **Custard**: Ensure that all bread cubes are thoroughly soaked in the custard for a moist and creamy bread pudding.
3. **Baking**: Cover the pudding with foil during the initial baking process to prevent the top from browning too quickly.
### Variations (if any)
Although this recipe is perfect as it is, you can tweak it with your favorite ingredients. You could add white chocolate chips for extra sweetness or switch almonds with pecans for a different nutty flavor.
### FAQs
1. **Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh ones?**
Yes, dried cranberries can be used in place of fresh ones. Just ensure to rehydrate them in warm water before using.
2. **What type of bread works best for this recipe?**
Day-old, crusty breads like French bread, sourdough, or brioche are ideal for this recipe.
3. **Could I use other types of milk instead of whole milk?**
Yes, you can use any other type of milk. Just note that the creaminess of the pudding might vary.
Embrace the holidays with a plate of this wonderful, warm, and delightful Holiday Cranberry and Almond Bread Pudding. A treat you and your loved ones will savor, this dish is sure to bring comfort and joy to your holiday gatherings.