Description
This Wild Berry Bread Pudding with Orange Sauce is a comforting and delicious dessert that combines the richness of custard-soaked bread with the vibrant flavors of fresh wild berries, all topped with a zesty homemade orange sauce. Perfectly baked until golden and set, this classic American dessert is a delightful way to use day-old bread for a sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Pudding
- 6 cups day-old French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups mixed wild berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Orange Sauce
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Bread and Custard: Place the cubed day-old French bread into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Soak Bread: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, gently stirring to ensure all cubes are coated. Let this soak for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb the liquid well.
- Add Berries: Gently fold in the mixed wild berries into the soaked bread mixture, taking care not to crush the berries.
- Bake Pudding: Transfer the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the pudding is golden on top and the center is set.
- Prepare Orange Sauce: While the pudding bakes, combine orange juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Finish Sauce: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in unsalted butter and orange zest until smooth and glossy.
- Serve: Once the bread pudding is done baking, serve it warm with the orange sauce drizzled generously on top for a bright, citrusy finish.
Notes
- Frozen berries can be used as a substitute for fresh ones, but they should be thawed and drained to avoid excess moisture in the pudding.
- For an adult twist, add a splash of orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau to the orange sauce for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
