My family and Bread pudding share a co-existence. It maintains equilibrium in my home. If you ever make the mistake of asking them what should be made for dessert the answer is always, always “Bread pudding”.
Bread pudding is perfect for every occasion. An impromptu serving for your kids’ entire soccer team or an individual treat: a stolen midnight snack. It can be served hot, warm, and even cold: leftovers out of a fridge the next day can be delicious – and even preferred – for some of us.
I’ve actually never made the same bread pudding recipe more than twice and no, not because the recipe didn’t turn out well, but because there are just so many bookmarked in my cookbook collection and in my browser that I feel compelled to try everything.
The original recipe White Chocolate Berry Cherry Bread Pudding comes from The Macy’s Culinary Council Thanksgiving & Holiday Cookbook. I made some small changes as I went along – using leftover croissants, just berries (no cherries) and adding a coconut crust. The next time I make this, I want to douse it in a nice whiskey sauce.
Over to the recipe: Plump berries, sweet chocolate and crust of toasted coconut – a perfect dessert for all occasions
- 5 cups cubed stale brioche, challah, croissants or crustless French bread (1-inch cubes). ( I used croissants)
- Butter-flavored or plain nonstick cooking spray
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 large cage-free eggs
- 4 large cage-free egg yolks
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- 1½ cups frozen blueberries (you can also used mixed frozenberries and/or frozen pitted cherries)
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spread the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet, place in the oven, and toast until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bread cubs from the oven but leave the oven on. Skip the step if your croissants are really stale.
- Generously grease or spray a 12-inch round ovenproof pan or a 3-quart baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Transfer the bread cubes to the pan, spreading them evenly.
- In a large saucepan, combine the milk, cream, and sugar evenly over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Stir in the vanilla and remove from the heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and salt. Slowly pour ½ cup of the hot milk mixture into the eggs while whisking the milk mixture int the pan continuously, carefully pour the egg mixture into the pan, using a rubber spatula to scrape every bit from the bowl.
- Pour the custard mixture through a fine sieve evenly over the bread cubes and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes.
- Then, using the spatula or the back of a large spoon, gently press the bread down into the custard mixture. Sprinkle the white chocolate chips evenly over the top, and fold them gently into the bread mixture. Evenly spread the berries and/or cherries on top. Sprinkle the shredded coconut.
- Place the baking dish inside a larger roasting pan. Open the oven door, pull out the center rack most of the way, but not so far that it will tip when the pan is set on it.
- Set the roasting pan holding the baking dish on the rack, and then pour hot water into the roasting pan to reach about halfway up the sides of the baking dish. Slowly slide the rack into the oven and close the oven door. Bake until the pudding appears just set in the center when the baking dish is gently jiggled and the top is beginning to color, about 45 minutes.
- Remove the roasting pan from the oven, being careful to avoid splashing the water, and lift the baking dish out of the pan. Serve the pudding hot, warm, or at room temperature.
Check out all the fun treats we’ve baked this week for 12 weeks of Christmas.
Happy Baking!
I love bread pudding and don’t make it nearly enough – it’s so comforting! I love all the flavors in this one!
blueberry and white chocolate is a seriously underrated combination in my opinion! I once had a blueberry white chocolate muffin – to die for! Pairing it all with coconut and putting it in bread pudding sounds divine. I love sticky sweet bread pudding!
mmm that looks perfect for this weekend!!
Oh my gosh!!! Your bread pudding looks so darn good!!! I need this! I love the combination of blueberry and coconut!! Yummy!
Have a great weekend!!
This is a wonderful dessert. I have a recipe very similar to this but the white chocolate is melted and mixed with the custard. I just love it.
Blueberry and white chocolate–talk about heavenly! This pudding looks amazing.
This looks wonderful, I love the blueberries and coconut!
Can I just say…..I want to be your neighbor. :)
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Oh, you had me at the white chocolate and coconut part!
There is something so addictive about bread pudding my friend :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love your site! You should post some of your food pics on FlauntMyFood.com it could help get you more readers.
Mmmmm…what a delicious holiday dessert. You don’t have to say coconut and white chocolate more than once and my fork will be poised to dive in!
Dang, one more thing I like better when someone else makes it. Samples please? Mmmm I would love a slice w/my tea though am not really relaxing leaving first thing to PA to watch S w/his college team in a soccer tourney and waited last min to prep them lunch for tomorrow. so Slaving! now in the kitchen :)
I couldn’t agree more. This is my older sister’s FAVORITE dessert, and we make it all the time. But this sounds like a delicious new variety! Thank you for sharing. Eager to make and try!
Now you’re talking my language. We love a good bread pudding in this house! My mom use to save up all the leftover breads, sweet rolls, donuts and such and when she had enough, she’s make a bread pudding. I love the fact that you change it up each time, but after seeing this, I know I would definitely have to have this one again and again!
My husband adores bread pudding… I should make it more. :) This does look heavenly. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. :)
it’s always bread pudding for me too….i can never get enough of it. this is a unique bread pudding :-)
That sounds so freakin’ good! I want that crust!
We also enjoy bread pudding! Many times I will intentionally leave the bread out, uncovered, for a few hours just so I can start on some bread puddin’! :)
What a gorgeous dish! So inspired.
Bread pudding is indeed an amazing dessert. So many varieties, additions and adaptations.
I LOVE this. So tasty and comforting. I haven’t had bread pudding in AGES.
I’ve only made bread pudding once and after seeing this I know it’s time to do it again. Super delicious!
The bread pudding looks lovely.
Wow, what a combo with all those flavours. It sounds absolutely amazing!! I must admit, I hate bread and butter pudding but with all the flavours combined in your pudding and the addition of croissants, I would totally try this and probably change my ways. Super yum!!
Hi Anuradha,
I really feel like diving into that bowl. Looks incredible!
Looks great..never made bread pudding before..will have to give it a try!
I love bread pudding but my hubby doesn’t share the love. Maybe I can make a small batch of this just for me:)
Wow! That’s a great bread pudding! Such an interesting combination of flavors. Really fun – I like this a lot. Thanks.
I’ve been craving bread pudding like a mad woman this week – your gorgeous version is not helping ;)
I am a huge bread pudding lover – this is a great flavor combo!
oh my…my husband will seriously love me forever if I made this. all his favorite things in one baking dish.
I’ve never made bread pudding before, but yours looks fantastic! I’m a huge fan of blueberries and white chocolate together, and definitely need to try this :)
This presents beautifully. Does it lend itself to gift giving for Christmas?
I’m sure it does. I would love get this delicious pudding as a gift. :)
blueberry and white chocolate, what a treat… A perfect brunch idea!! thanks!